Owner Operators, who’s in and who’s out? (poll)

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.

    38 vote(s)
    35.8%
  2. Had my authority and no longer do.

    4 vote(s)
    3.8%
  3. Leased on and still do.

    19 vote(s)
    17.9%
  4. Leased on and no longer do.

    2 vote(s)
    1.9%
  5. Had my authority and now lease on.

    1 vote(s)
    0.9%
  6. Was leased on but now have my own authority.

    3 vote(s)
    2.8%
  7. Had authority or leased on but now company drive.

    6 vote(s)
    5.7%
  8. I’m a company driver and wish to remain so.

    25 vote(s)
    23.6%
  9. I’m a company driver but hope to own my own truck.

    3 vote(s)
    2.8%
  10. None of the above but I’ll explain.

    5 vote(s)
    4.7%
  1. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

    2,044
    9,284
    Aug 5, 2017
    Shallowater Texas
    0
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  3. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

    11,919
    49,076
    Mar 4, 2015
    0
    It would be nice if there was some sort of middle ground instead of all the way one direction or the other. Like keep the current emission regs, scrap the 2027 stuff. I worry that gutting them all will result in an extreme move to the other end of the spectrum if a Dem is elected in 2028. Then we’d be back on a fast track to rush out unproven technology to meet strict standards in a short time period.
     
  4. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,903
    21,326
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    Dang man that’s wild. Good luck to your bro and hopefully he finds success in life.
     
  5. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,903
    21,326
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    I certainly get it but I push for more as well and keep the extra. Not hating of course but more hands in the cookie jar the worse.
     
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  6. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,903
    21,326
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    I agree man the 2027 stuff is trash but what’s currently being ran is very clean and has become pretty dependable.
     
  7. ElmerFudpucker

    ElmerFudpucker Road Train Member

    5,128
    56,035
    May 17, 2024
    0
    I’m not saying you’re wrong because frankly, you’re not.
     
  8. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

    5,903
    21,326
    Aug 31, 2018
    0
    I did my local dealers annual golf outing today and the used truck manager was on my team. He said a local dump truck outfit turned over their entire fleet of 87 trucks this year to get ahead of the 2027 emissions. From what I’ve been told Cummins has postponed a year so we’ll see what happens with this administration. God, can you imagine?
     
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  9. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

    3,363
    7,388
    Jun 4, 2015
    0
    A year is all I need………! Fingers crossed, the new injectors have made it over 100K. All I need is 200 K more to make it to a trade.

    As an aside, can you imagine the beating they took on trading in 87 dump trucks in this market?
     
  10. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

    6,991
    73,228
    Jul 4, 2015
    Corn field
    0
    See I don’t see it as failure in this case. He worked his business and made a decision to shut it down for something else. “Failure in trucking” to me is running it into the ground and leaving a road full of burning bridges behind them? You know? Broke as a toad an owing everyone money they will never pay back?

    I don’t think that’s the case here?

    My buddy closed up shop and gave what’s left of his equipment and customers to his grandson. He worked his butt off for 25 years trucking, but there’s really no value in the business he had. I would never dream in a million years of saying he failed? He is 70 years old and made a choice. BTW he says he’s never been happier than working for his grandson as a company driver… lol
     
  11. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,299
    26,869
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    No, I didn't burn bridges and relationships. Didn't lose the house or the vehicles and still had a little money in the bank. Still driving a truck which is all I ever wanted to do from the time I was 6 or 7 years old and saw big trucks on the highways back in the early 80's. I don't hate on it and don't despise it. I love truckin. No matter how bad it's gotten out here with a bunch of sad excuses that don't have any pride, that ain't me. I'll be happily driving trucks another 20 years or more as long as I stay healthy. You never really work when you enjoy what you do. But I'd be lying if I said I don’t feel it at the end of a long week lol.
     
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