When is a good time to become an owner operator?

So after 20 years driving. This wouldn't be a good time to go back to wrenching and open my own shop. Eh?

 

It’s a what? 2015? Recipe for disaster. I can tell you right now from experience. That truck will break you. Used emissions trucks are dirt cheap for a reason. Because nobody wants them after 5 years and 500k miles. Ticking time bomb. There’s a very good reason your relative gave it to you, and didn’t try to sell it.

 

1967

 

20 years of wrenching trucks vs 0 experience for me of making waffles, isn't a fair comparison. I'd say in your case, go for it

 

@Scooter Jones
Make sure that waffle iron is the new style with the logo that comes up in the middle of the perfectly toasted waffle. Doomed to failure otherwise....

 

Well, I just discovered it has the Particulate Filter which requires soybean oil every 200 waffles or so. I may be doomed right out of the chute.

 

I do have a $250 credit line though. If things get tough, I can use that to fix it.

I'm figuring it's going to require me selling at least 12,000 waffles a month, but it should be doable. Wish me luck and whatever you do, don't try and stop me!

 

Stay a company driver for a couple of years. Very few lease ops make very much more than a company driver. That Volvo will eat cash at its age. As far as your own Authority, with 4 months experience, the Insurance premiums alone will make you change your mind in a hurry. Not to mention, most reputable brokers won't even deal with anyone with such little experience. You can make a decent paycheck as a company driver without all of the headaches and expenses of owning and maintaining your own truck. Good luck!

 

The cut off date for becoming an O/O within the next 5 years was yesterday. Save your money.

 

You ain't ####ing kidding. The amount of red tape you've got to cut through to start an authority, get a truck, get plates, pass the audit, etc etc is ridiculous.