Future O/O what experience is best?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Tank1992, Jul 14, 2021.

  1. Tank1992

    Tank1992 Bobtail Member

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    I've had my Class A w/ all endorsements since I was 19 and now 28. I have a super physically demanding job that's very well paying but thinking of starting trucking because the money isn't worth killing myself for. Id like to one day become an O/O and with my background I believe Ill be successful. I have 3 years of driving experience from class B vehicles like dumptruck, Propane Tanker bobtail, and most recent utility boom truck hauling poles/ trailers.

    What avenue of trucking would be best to get into to gain the experience needed to one day become owner operator? Id like to be home daily or most of the time. I see most places like you to have 1 year of tractor/trailer exp. Where could I most likely get hired on that's well paying 75k plus? I was thinking LTL if I could or seen some food delivery jobs like sysco which heard can be hard but seems like it be good learning. Or What's the odds of getting hired for food tanker if I only drove a propane bobtail?

    Would appreciate any feed back. I live in Oregon right by I-5 as well of you can list any companys that are good would be awesome! Thanks
     
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  3. prince3030

    prince3030 Bobtail Member

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    Don’t think you will get hired on anywhere with the pay you want with no tractor trailer experience. I got hired on with service transport for tanker with no experience but I busted my ### for 54k. Gonna have to pay them dues like everyone else.i it’s possible to make 75k after 1 year. Maybe even after 6 months
     
  4. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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  5. Kenworth6969

    Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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    Owner operator and home everyday in.... Oregon. Won't make much money on that path.

    Freight sucks there to try to be home everyday
     
    86scotty Thanks this.
  6. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    There are some LTL outfits that will put you in a truck if you're willing to work on a dock for a while.

    I don't know about Oregon but on the East Coast ABF has its own Driving Academy. They also are a union company.

    I would check with the LTL carriers near you if you don't mind working on the dock for a while. Like I said some of them are even good union jobs that if you're young and you get in now you'll get a full pension and everything full benefits the whole thing.

    As far as owner operator experience, probably the best is a company that does Regional work or Regional to local work. Then you are not far from home but you're still getting some experience in traveling.

    If you buy a truck make sure you buy sleeper because you never know how far you're going to need to go or if maybe if you go a little farther you'll make a little more or whatever the case is.

    And it's always nice to have extra room and be able to stretch out take a comfortable nap or sleep all night if you need to.

    I would never trade my sleeper for anything else.

    Good luck.
     
    ProfessionalNoticer Thanks this.
  7. Tank1992

    Tank1992 Bobtail Member

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    oh that's a bummer to hear.
     
  8. Tank1992

    Tank1992 Bobtail Member

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    thanks, that's some good advice!
     
  9. Tank1992

    Tank1992 Bobtail Member

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    is that realistic job option for someone with my experience?
     
  10. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    Yes, just gotta find somebody who is willing to go with you and train for a couple of weeks
     
  11. DirtyBob

    DirtyBob Road Train Member

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    The food service route would be a good route to get started if you want to make that much right away. It's also going to wear you down physically which you're looking to get away from. If you went that route I'd get your experience and get out.

    People are desperate for truck drivers right now so I'd just start places that run local to you and see what happens. More and more companies are taking brand new drivers that never would have in the past. Fuel can be something that gets you home every night and some of those carriers are training new drivers now. Out west fuel can be more regional than local so you might have to call around and find out. LTL like other people mentioned.

    When it comes to being an O/O later, you have to find a niche in your local area. That's something you'll have to figure out on your own since it varies by location and people aren't just going to give that information up. While you're doing your getting experience job start paying attention to what's getting moved around your area. Look for things that take special equipment like pumps and such. Look at some of the smaller trucking companies around you and see what they offer and what they're doing. Smaller companies are the ones usually doing a lot of the local/regional work. Might even find someplace that you'll want to lease on when you get your own truck.

    A niche is where you make money. If you don't specialize you're just another truck working for peanuts.
     
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