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Being an Owner Operator

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by AlexT, Apr 26, 2018.

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  1. Apr 26, 2018 #1
    AlexT

    AlexT Bobtail Member

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    Why do most drivers say it's better to be a company driver than an owner operator?
     
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    #1
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  3. Apr 26, 2018 #2
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Because a lot of people do not understand that this is a business and they can't comprehend how business works.
     
    Ridgeline, Apr 26, 2018
    Ridgeline, Apr 26, 2018
    #2
    justcarhaulin, Razorwyr, Hitman and 3 others Thank this.
  4. Apr 26, 2018 #3
    Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    Company drivers do not pay for an engine that just puked pistols out the oil pan. Or $3500 for new drive tires. Or $350 for a TA to change engine oil. And owner op or lease op has near 25% income tax or more.
     
    Oldironfan, Apr 26, 2018
    Oldironfan, Apr 26, 2018
    #3
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  5. Apr 26, 2018 #4
    AlexT

    AlexT Bobtail Member

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    Apr 26, 2018
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    I made 10 months experience this April. I haul Tankers and Hazmat and I'm hoping to be an Owner Operator in the future. What are some of the things that most drivers don't understand besides the business part itself?
     
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    #4
  7. Apr 26, 2018 #5
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    If it was easy, most truck drivers would be doing it. Running a business of any kind takes some serious skills, and a lot of people jump in thinking it will be easy, then find out the hard way that it isn't and they lose everything. Many of those subjects in school that were boring and you got bad grades in suddenly become important.
     
    SteveScott, Apr 26, 2018
    SteveScott, Apr 26, 2018
    #5
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  8. Apr 26, 2018 #6
    Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

    19,022
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    Dec 18, 2011
    South GA
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    the worry.....if you're a company driver, you worry about little more than if you're going to go home on time. When you're an O/O, you worry about everything 24/7/365
     
    Opus, Apr 26, 2018
    Opus, Apr 26, 2018
    #6
    Dino soar, StrokerTSi, AlexT and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Apr 26, 2018 #7
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    It takes money to start a business. If you plan on becoming an O/O you better have at least $30,000 in the bank and a perfect credit score. There are lots of threads here explaining what you need to know.
     
    SteveScott, Apr 26, 2018
    SteveScott, Apr 26, 2018
    #7
    AlexT Thanks this.
  10. Apr 26, 2018 #8
    AlexT

    AlexT Bobtail Member

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    Apr 26, 2018
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    So what's the average cost for a truck note and insurance with average credit?
     
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    #8
  11. Apr 26, 2018 #9
    AlexT

    AlexT Bobtail Member

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    Apr 26, 2018
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    I appreciate the advice. A guy told me today that it wasn't worth it because of taxes but taxes as an owner operator isn't that bad is it?
     
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    AlexT, Apr 26, 2018
    #9
  12. Apr 26, 2018 #10
    Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

    19,022
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    Dec 18, 2011
    South GA
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    well, for me it's around 12-15% of gross
     
    Opus, Apr 26, 2018
    Opus, Apr 26, 2018
    #10
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