New here and seeking advice

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by imacrazzee1, Jan 11, 2011.

  1. Jan 11, 2011 #1
    imacrazzee1

    imacrazzee1 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 11, 2011
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    Hello everyone, new to the forums and I'm looking for some advice. I'm not a trucker but have been around them since I was a baby, my deceased father was a trucker, brother was a trucker for a while and several uncles and cousins as well so it flows through my veins. Anyway I have a nice career totally unrelated to trucking and I make a good living, have a home, savings, 401k etc but I think to myself all the time if I may be happier as a O/O?

    I have thought about this as a plan several times, here is where I need advice to see if it seems do-able...so here is my plan ( several wrinkles yet to iron out but it will give you an idea )

    PLAN : my father-in-law is a truck driver for a company ( he has over 30 yrs trucking exp ) and is wanting to slow down a little, run 4 days a week or so. I have a friend who has a small trucking company who can get loads so I was thinking about buying a used truck, having my f-i-l run with some loads ( I would take some vacation time and tag along and learn trucking from him ). In a a couple years when my f-i-l really gets ready to come off the road I get behind the wheel and run it.

    WELL?
     
    imacrazzee1, Jan 11, 2011
    imacrazzee1, Jan 11, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jan 11, 2011 #2
    rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Go for it. You will never know if you don't give it a try. But...can you get your old job back if it doesn't work out? Just don't burn any bridges.
     
    rachi, Jan 11, 2011
    rachi, Jan 11, 2011
    #2
  4. Jan 11, 2011 #3
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    You really think that you are going to learn everything about trucking by tagging along during your vacation?

    Buying one truck & hiring someone to run it will put you in the poor house quick. Trucking companies count profit in pennies... Can you haul $1.50 a mile freight, pay your father in law $.40 to $.50 cents per mile (with 30 years experience, thats what he is worth in the current industry), & cover an operating cost of $.90 to $1.20 per mile?
     
    REDD, Jan 11, 2011
    REDD, Jan 11, 2011
    #3
  5. Jan 11, 2011 #4
    walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    Personally I would stick to what you know and are good at,..

    Are you prepared to lose everything you have???

    This industry has a very high failure rate,....
     
    walleye, Jan 11, 2011
    walleye, Jan 11, 2011
    #4
  7. Jan 12, 2011 #5
    Mel4Prez

    Mel4Prez Bobtail Member

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    Jan 12, 2011
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    No...Sounds like too much headaches, stress and no $$$$$.
    With this economy, stay where you are. Grass in mostly never greener on the other side, just looks it from afar.
     
    Mel4Prez, Jan 12, 2011
    Mel4Prez, Jan 12, 2011
    #5
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