BD69: The Owner Operator Chronicles

Ok, for those of you watching wanting to learn a bit about what it means to be an O/O, class is in session.

Last settlement cycle was the best yet, both in terms of gross revenue and profit margin. However, that was completely negated by my having to pour cubic dollars into the truck. New injectors, inlet and outlet SCR sensors. Anual inspection. Oil change and chasis lube...the list goes on, but you should be getting the idea. Now, follow that up with two weeks of heavy, windy low paying loads and I had my worst cycle yet...less than half my average.

When you hear experienced O/O's say you need a big pile in reserve, this is why. I could be massively in debt and behind on everything because of all this. As it was, I gritted my teeth and scratched a check. Did I like it? Hell no, that was a crap ton of money I'd much rather still have, but this is how it goes. Good week wiped out and a bad week right behind it, coupled with a hefty repair bill, could easily wipe out someone with little in the way of money in reserve.

I've been extremely fortunate to have some very experienced owners share knowledge and encouragement with me. They've also called me on the carpet when necessary. Point is, find a mentor. Ask questions and then shut up and listen. One owner, on more than one occasion, has thought the call dropped and asked if i was still there because i had done just that...asked and shut up while the answer was explained.

More later...

 

Would have made no difference. After talking with them about the storm and when it was going to hit, it sped up overnight and put me in a box. Running with 17k in the box with a 50+ mph crosswind was a recipe for disaster...the snow wouldnt have mattered, I could've got through that...the wind was the killer.

 

A hell of a lot.

 

It's all part of it. I'm getting quite a mechanical education from a couple of the guys at our shop. When my rig is being worked on I hang around, hand tools, get parts and learn. I'm pretty good with a wrench, but not much experience with big diesels, so I just learn when and where I can...it'll pay off down the road.

 

You seem to have experience with currency conversion...lol.