Who’s in and who’s out?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Midwest Trucker, Jul 21, 2025.

What’s your status?

  1. Had my authority and I still do.

    36 vote(s)
    36.0%
  2. Had my authority and no longer do.

    4 vote(s)
    4.0%
  3. Leased on and still do.

    18 vote(s)
    18.0%
  4. Leased on and no longer do.

    2 vote(s)
    2.0%
  5. Had my authority and now lease on.

    1 vote(s)
    1.0%
  6. Was leased on but now have my own authority.

    3 vote(s)
    3.0%
  7. Had authority or leased on but now company drive.

    5 vote(s)
    5.0%
  8. I’m a company driver and wish to remain so.

    24 vote(s)
    24.0%
  9. I’m a company driver but hope to own my own truck.

    2 vote(s)
    2.0%
  10. None of the above but I’ll explain.

    5 vote(s)
    5.0%
  1. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

    4,133
    12,110
    Aug 19, 2012
    0
    I was past my prime when I started hauling cars at 45. At 59 now I feel every single year when I get out of bed. A couple hours later after my body warms up when I am loading the youngsters can’t keep up with me. Keep up the good work, you are succeeding in my book from what I have seen you post. You definitely have common sense and that is in short supply.
     
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  3. Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

    2,316
    22,908
    Jan 8, 2021
    Indiana
    0
    Definitely some truth there! Dad had back trouble nonstop until he quit trucking. Only 1 surgery, but he crippled around for years
     
  4. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

    4,495
    12,122
    Aug 27, 2017
    Appalachia
    0
    I've actually come to like PBR. It's my go-to house beer. Cheap in pint cans and no amount of it will give me a hangover. I used to buy and drink a LOT of expensive beer but I like something I can drink a lot of when I'm home and she doesn't ##### about the price.
     
  5. sirjeff

    sirjeff Medium Load Member

    461
    1,368
    Dec 1, 2013
    Kootenays, British Columbia
    0
    I sure dont mind em either, they are super crushable. The singles arent much of a deal here though, and they call too loud from the fridge when I buy a cheap 15. Ill usually opt for a few local tallies, or Sapporos or peronis etc. Booze is so expensive here its stupid, a "cheap" 15 pack is still almost $30 CAD

    The PBR's here used to be 5.9% but I think they're 4.6 or something now. Same in the US?
     
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  6. ElmerFudpucker

    ElmerFudpucker Road Train Member

    5,073
    55,283
    May 17, 2024
    0
    Yeah I think they are 4.6 here. If that. I’m not a fan of PBR. Kinda taste like Hamm’s to me. Kinda thick and yeasty. Miller highlife is my beer of choice. Peroni and Sapporo are good. But I still prefer the champagne of beer
     
  7. ElmerFudpucker

    ElmerFudpucker Road Train Member

    5,073
    55,283
    May 17, 2024
    0
    I’m sure constantly not learning is an IPA guy
     
  8. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,898
    21,302
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    I don’t do owner operators anymore. Whiny little pricks always end up thinking they know more than you. lol jk

    There’s recently been some interest from a couple so I may consider it again, maybe I just had bad luck for a stretch. I always did and always will pay a set per mile on all miles though. I’d never expose my rates from customers or eventually too much back dooring will occur. As a man, I’ve never been fond of the back dooring. lol No learning needed there.
     
    Feedman, Siinman, Old_n_gray and 7 others Thank this.
  9. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

    4,495
    12,122
    Aug 27, 2017
    Appalachia
    0
    Hahahaha!!!! Subtle. You win the internet today!

    Ha! As a former company employee and O/O who lasted all but a month leased on to a carrier the one time I tried it I cannot argue with this statement. We like to do things our way. When the safety guy told me I could not use PC for anything in training I knew right then it wasn't going to go well.
     
    Feedman, Siinman, BoostedTeg and 4 others Thank this.
  10. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

    6,217
    34,196
    May 2, 2021
    0
    So back on track since we've had so much learning lately, like an almost constant feed of learning.

    I don't have the requested 5 years experience, but I've been runnin on my own authority for 4 years now. I've not been leased on to anybody before or driven as an employee, so I have no idea what that is like.

    I think most can see the attitude it takes to be successful, though attitude is not everything. I know there's some sure nough good guys here who haven't made it through the downturn.

    I'm not planning on any changes. I like running how I'm doing it. I'm not doing anything specialized, but I try to do what I do better than anybody else.

    I rely on the spot market for probably 85% of my loads.
     
  11. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,292
    26,843
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    I can point to 4 big reasons that I failed - over reliance on spot, leased on, running old equipment and I'm not a sales guy. Spot freight is unreliable, inconsistent and brokers a drain on profit. Leased on drains profit. Old equipment even if you do 100% of the work yourself is a money pit. If you can't/won't generate consistent direct business you won't ever reap full rewards. Trucking/driving is the easiest part and not being a #### up there is great but doesn't make the business happen or translate into an actual successful trucking business. I could also put laziness in there. Refusal to work for substandard rates lead to my truck sitting parked a lot and a good sales person would've used that time better.
     
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