Who’s in and who’s out?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Midwest Trucker, Jul 21, 2025 at 8:50 PM.

What’s your status?

  1. Had my authority and I still do.

    16 vote(s)
    42.1%
  2. Had my authority and no longer do.

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  3. Leased on and still do.

    4 vote(s)
    10.5%
  4. Leased on and no longer do.

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  5. Had my authority and now lease on.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. Was leased on but now have my own authority.

    2 vote(s)
    5.3%
  7. Had authority or leased on but now company drive.

    2 vote(s)
    5.3%
  8. I’m a company driver and wish to remain so.

    7 vote(s)
    18.4%
  9. I’m a company driver but hope to own my own truck.

    2 vote(s)
    5.3%
  10. None of the above but I’ll explain.

    3 vote(s)
    7.9%
  1. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,881
    21,163
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    If you were an owner op or had your authority the last 5 yrs what’s your current status?

    I’m personally still hanging in there as a fleet but do recognize this has been the longest down turn I’ve seen. I think the absolute high of Covid has given us an absolute low of rates and also at the same time we’ve had an unprecedented influx of foreign drivers legal and illegal which has made this downturn even more pronounced.

    Where do you currently stand and what do you think going forward?
     
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  3. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

    13,259
    87,403
    Mar 19, 2014
    Arkansas
    0
    Still hanging on. dunno what the near future bring as I gotta stay a lot closer since dad died last month, he had two dogs that don’t wanna ride, and no one but me to take care of them.
    Hard enough as it was, not now being stuck on loads you gotta be back each night.
     
  4. NorthEastTrucker

    NorthEastTrucker Heavy Load Member

    886
    1,542
    Sep 21, 2019
    0
    Can't get political on here however, it's a fluctuating freight market. A few weeks ago I thought things were getting really good but last week hit a wall and seem to be go alright this week. Major waves on freight. Some how it's working and still able to stay afloat. I believe by Mid September we will all know how things pan out. Optimistically, I can only see it getting better and believe it will.
     
  5. Constant Learner

    Constant Learner Medium Load Member

    676
    1,051
    Jul 19, 2011
    The Moon
    0
    Had my authority and no longer do. I ended it in May last year and I'm glad I did it. No plans to ever activate it again, after the damage that has been done to the industry in the past 3 years.
     
  6. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

    11,819
    48,414
    Mar 4, 2015
    0
    Back in March I talked to a guy about hauling fuel. He had 4 trucks coming and let me pick out how I wanted the one I’d be driving. Text my Peterbilt salesman, told him who I was going to work for (he also buys his trucks from the same guy) and said I needed to sell mine. He made a couple phone calls and my truck was gone toward the end of April. I started hauling fuel as a company driver in May and wish I would’ve learned how to do it sooner. So far I’ve slept in the truck twice.
     
  7. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,881
    21,163
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    Nice work. I’m with you.
     
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  8. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,881
    21,163
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    Hang in there. I do think it's going to improve.

    Sucks man. Never say never you know?

    Good deal!
     
  9. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

    18,294
    275,328
    Nov 29, 2011
    West Virginia
    0
    Still a one man band with my own authority and hanging in there….
     
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  10. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

    3,873
    9,029
    May 2, 2010
    ludlow MA
    0
    Still here, but I probably have the opposite problem of most, as finding the work hasn’t been as big of a problem as doing the work, 2 accidents and a motor in 14 months really hurt, think it was somewhere like 16 weeks down, slowly climbing back out of it just not as quick as I’d like too,
     
  11. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

    2,920
    7,882
    Jan 2, 2012
    NW, Iowa
    0
    I didn't do normal freight, but sold out little over a year ago after receiving a job offer I couldn't turn down.. Trucking was always good to me but I also never saved any money. New job has great pay and benefits. But it's weird not having my own truck, I get to drive on occasion but it's not the same.
     
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