What's out there for a new guy?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by ohandy1, May 29, 2021.

  1. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks ya'll, finally parked with a little time to reply. Got a teammate so the truck is rarely still long enough to type, and thanks for understanding where I'm coming from.

    To all those who say "learn the business", I don't disagree, but the challenges aren't really that different from construction. Where I can get a cancelled load today, I was getting cancellations before. Weather was just as much a problem for me before, always had to figure it in. I can have my truck break down, well I was dependent on my truck before and faced the same problem. Back then I also had employees who seemed to "break down" as often as not. Seems trucks have a more defined repair. Learning the business doesn't take 2 years of driving, that's learning to drive. Learning the business takes doing due diligence, which is where I am now. I'm not shopping for a truck yet.

    Oh, and I just got my big $300 paycheck for the week my company truck was in the company shop not costing me anything. No one is immune to a breakdown. (guaranteed minimums aside)

    The reason I was looking at something like Landstar or usa truck rather than my own authority is it appears smoother. It cuts that learning curve down a bit. I'm also under the impression it gives leverage when looking to lease a truck... not a company lease. Not a walk-away lease. I could be wrong, i'm still "learning the business".

    I will not sign a company lease. I'd rather be a company driver if i'm going to be captive to their planners and dispatchers. I mainly want the job of planning my own loads. I would enjoy that more than waiting on dispatch, wondering if they forgot about me again.

    I'll be home earlier than expected so I'll have a couple days this week to make some calls and get more info. I'll let you know what I learn.
     
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  3. SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    Just to clarify something, we weren't suggesting that you wait a couple years to learn the business. We were telling you to wait a couple years to learn how to drive.

    As of this April, I've held a driver's license for 45 years. But I've only had my CDL for 7 years. Like you, I got into the business to learn the ropes and start my own company. Even though I had been driving 4 wheelers for a very long time and was over confident with my abilities when it came time to drive commercially, I am very glad that I worked for other companies for the first 3 years before going out on my own just to gain experience driving a commercial truck. Knock on wood, I've had no accidents or tickets, and I know enough now so I don't mess up my nice new truck and trailer. I also made some great business contacts that landed me some contract clients when I was ready to go on my own. Yes it sucks working for other people and not making much money. But it's a small price to pay for a couple years if you have a solid business plan and want to be successful when you do finally become an O/O.
     
  4. 401-Alex

    401-Alex Light Load Member

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    Im independent and my question is do you know anything about trucks? Do you know how to back? Do you know how high the used truck market is right now and do you know the almost impossibly of a quality used trailer that is not outright rape? Trailer price is almost 60% if not 75% more then should be truck price is at least 40% higher then past 2-3 years and then your experience. Not knocking you down but you are new to a cdl. I'm sure it can be done but that learning curve is skyhigh from where you are. Learning the truck and moving it around and backing are very important extremely. Knowing your truck is also extremely important. Can you fix things and as a Florida resident do you have parking?
     
  5. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    Wish I had thought to ask these questions... smh..

    In short, yes. I know how to drive, back, and have some mechanical ability. Yes, I know what the market is for trucks, trailers, and freight. And I can park at home, thank you.

    I'm very sorry you're losing so much money.

    Sorry, but I'm researching options and solutions, not looking for reasons it's impossible. My question in the OP was to learn if I have options yet to be discovered. Seems your answer is I have no options and no one should enter the trucking industry without expecting to lose a @#$%ton of money. Only company drivers can make money...

    Have you thought to not treat people like children?


    p.s. have you noted the rapid rise in shipping prices? Have you seen that driver pay has risen about 50% in just the last three years? Arbitrage never lasts long.
     
  6. 401-Alex

    401-Alex Light Load Member

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    I'm not losing money number one I'm a carrier I am not leased I'm independent we are at two different levels in the game what I'm explaining to you you chose a bad time to get in the game go be a company driver Bank company money buy when the market turns don't try to jump in when it's high expecting it to be high and then it drops are all on you and you have a high payment you can't afford because you overpaid
     
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  7. 401-Alex

    401-Alex Light Load Member

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    Normally I try to help someone but in your case After I reread your reply f*** you
     
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  8. ohandy1

    ohandy1 Bobtail Member

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    condescension isn't helpful and doesn't pass as explanations. thanks.

    in other words, you started it.
     
  9. 401-Alex

    401-Alex Light Load Member

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    Good luck try not to go bankrupt .
     
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  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    I see guys out here that apparently own their own trucks doing stupid things all the time. There are people who claim you can jump into this business with zero experience and do just fine. That might be true for a very select minority but for the vast majority, no, it doesn't work that way.

    You'll learn better how to do things efficiently driving someone else's truck. A year, maybe two. It will make you a better business owner for sure. Starting from knowing nothing about the industry you're at a disadvantage and will lose time and money in ways you don't even realize until months later with the benefit of hindsight, if you make it that far. I take for granted a LOT of things I have knowledge-wise that are just second nature because of experience. Every experienced driver has that.. You won't have that luxury. You're going to learn it in the school of hard knocks while running your new trucking business. Have fun. Trucking is nice a stresssssful sometimes even when you know wtf you're doing. I always said it wouldn't be any fun without a little stress involved lol.

    The business side isn't that difficult. Can you manage money? Do you have a lot of debt? If you can't manage a household budget you're already in over your head. Money management is so easy but eludes so many. If you can operate that truck efficiently out here (and I'm not talking about fuel economy) and manage your money you have what it takes to figure out the business side.
     
  11. Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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