Current rates are now below fleet operating costs! It's official!

I like to think I have a good head with numbers, and that includes knowing when you need to fold 'em and realize that maybe O/O isn't the best move to make despite the "freedom" that comes with it. I got bigger priorities in my life because I'm young, no way in hell I could finance a tractor right now. As much as I'd want to. Which is a lesson I think some have...I don't wanna say a hard time dealing with, but maybe at least consider all their options before jumping right into the load-boards. I mean #### I'm not crazy for thinking that am I?

I'll cede you that point, insurance is always the biggest hurdle with that HM stuff it seems. At least if you own your own equipment and lease onto a good carrier you'd probably be more than enough ahead compared to all of those clapped out Volvos with some old trailer that has a stripped off Xtra logo on it. Even if you get gouged a bit, because let's be honest we all are in this business in some way. At that level it's about what gives you the most favorable spread. And well, I don't think there's shame in being a company driver if you love the work and make a more than respectable weekly paycheck.

 

And you have to renew your CDL every 2 years.

 

Yeah there's a cryogenic company that advertises a whopping $1.27 a mile for leased owner operators. There might be some that are outliers on that but again there goes the cream off the top.

 

I'd be curious to see how many miles they run and how good things like fuel surcharge are. Plus at least with some companies they'll take care of the paperwork side for a fee. I watched a video on YT of some leased on fuel hauling O/O (yeah I know, always a good source YT is)...but he seemed like a genuine dude and actually showed a pay statement. He made out decently enough, some of the highlights I remember were a $4000 guaranteed minimum take-home pay, a monthly fee for a reverse for breakdown costs, I wanna say 90% fuel surcharge? I would guess it's just like a company driver picking a company: Do you research, ask, and go to the one that makes the most financial sense to you.

 

LGT isn’t really the best example. They’re constantly looking for drivers. They bought out a small company in NE that had long hood Pete’s that were all dressed up pulling fancy tanks. They plastered pics of those trucks all over with their help wanted adds, and when guys showed up they were shown fleet spec 579’s.

 

Miles don't mean anything for an owner operator. Especially at that pathetic rate.

 

Yeah for sure it fell off a cliff after Tuesday. Next week might be even worse. I normally get lots of calls Friday for my Monday posting but it was crickets chirping all day today.

 

In Pa I have to do mine every four years even though haz-mat is good for 5.