Okay, so I bought a used truck from Crete Carrier.

Over the years I have seen the difference between the likes of the companies mentioned that lease new(er) equipment that at the end of the lease to buy the truck you would pay more for it than what it is worth. They have no intention of someone owning the truck at the end.

Then you have companies that are doing deals with their trucks coming off lease and at the end you would own the truck.

 

Actually, Crete is a safety company that moves freight on the side.If they spent half the effort they waste on logbooks and other BS on looking for new freight, they would be the largest carrier in the US by now. Waste way too many resources on a lot of safety BS.

 

Safety BS? Tell that to the DOT, or the litigating attorneys. What seems like BS to you is Crete covering their corporate butt ( as well as my job ) in this sue happy society we live in. FYI, many of our major shippers are even requiring that the carriers they use to prove they are actively monitoring their drivers safety status. Why? To protect themselves from litigation.

 

It seems as though Crete is an exceptional company to lease onto however I can't get approved for a truck and I have worked for JB Hunt previously and their lease purchase sounds pretty good if you sign on to the % side instead of mileage pay.
I know there is a lot of JB Hunt bashing but as an O/O are these numbers pretty consistent with the industry as a whole, or is Crete just that exceptional as a company?
I am seriously thinking about leasing on with JB to get my first truck, I've been driving for 12 years, I've worked for JB previously, I'm pretty intelligent, but I'm scared!
This would be a huge commitment that I am willing to make and I do believe I can succeed as an O/O, I guess I am just asking for some reassurance instead of all the posts stating it's a hopeless thing to consider.

thanks for your time and any advice
SRV

 

Every company has to have some sort of grip on safety and compliance. Acklie goes WAY overboard. They have the tail wagging the dog. They use too much of their assets for it. I have driven for companies with better safety ratings that were not nearly as anal. The idea is to haul freight safely, not become a safety company.

 

Follow your instincts and run. They don't call it fleece/purchase for nothing. You MIGHT make a little more than a company driver. MIGHT! Although at .90 a mile probably not. But now you have no insurance or bennies, and with a company like JB Hunt they probably still have a bunch of rules they demand you follow, so you won't have the freedom you might be expecting.

If you want to be an O/O, save your money and put down on a truck financed by a bank that is not connected to any carrier. Then either get your own authority or lease on to somewhere where you will have freedom. Maybe Landstar or Hot Shot Express.

Good luck.

 

Explain "WAY" overboard, so that everyone knows your exact terms.

 

Make sure you read the threads in this forum about the JB Hunt lease program. I think you will change your mind. Be patient.