Yearly Profit After Expenses...

I hope they can get you rolling shortly. I would say that if you are averaging $2/mile starting out that you are doing better than most. You need to be willing and able to negotiate decent rates. There are so many who seem to be willing to take whatever is offered without even a second thought. I am not running that hard right now, but when I do run I am getting good rates. I do mention my rates from time to time. I don't discuss them on a regular basis. I don't believe that I have hauled anything under $3/mile in several months. You don't have to settle for a cheap rate. There are good rates. It is a choice. I choose to haul for better rates. Some are attempting to push rates down. There are owner operators and carriers who are willing to help keep rates down by hauling cheap freight. If you are an ownere operator who is not able to negotiate good rates, then perhaps it would be worthwhile to find a good dispatch service.

 

Is this for only one truck?

 

Well the got us done with a 270 repair bill so not to bad. And I am will to negotiate but I am also quick to say no. If it is less than 1.90 including deadhead it is a no questions asked no.

 

Is it true that you will not be able to run pre-emissions trucks in CA after this year?

 

Starting January 1st 2012 any truck engine manufactured after 1996 but before 2007 must be fitted with a particulate matter filter then in 2016-2030 depending on year mist have a 2010 or newer engine placed in it. Any truck engine manufactured in 1996 does not need the filter however in 2016 needs the 2010 or newer engine. Any truck engine manufactured in 1995 or earlier must have the 2010 or newer engine by 2015. This is not only for CMVs registered in that state but for all CMVs operated in that state. Also in the near future California is planning to implement a requirement for "X" amount of "fuel saving devices" to be put on trucks and trailers. These are things such as the trailer wings, tractor flarings, low rolling resistance tires, ect.

 

I know some owners who have already taken California off their cab cards. The state is getting into things that they have no business. It is not their business to dictate how many mpg we get on our trucks. It isn't their business as to whether we choose to operate older trucks or not. I have no intentions of buying new equipment so that I can run to California for cheap rates. I wonder if they would change their tune if only 20% of those running the left coast decided to take them off their cab card next year? I guarantee you that if enough refused to allow them to dictate what they drive that come produce season there would be an exemption, at least during peak produce season. I believe that they did that with reefers a year or so ago. Either that or you would have a lot of produce rotting in the fields. It seems to me that it is time to play hard ball with them. I would expect that many will cave just so they can say they run the left coast.

 

This is why your one of my favorite drivers on here among select few whos posts seep with invaluable information on the industry. I cant appreciate anything more than the brutal honesty with which you guys lay it down with and sometimes tough love is the best way. I have been behind the wheel long enough only to learn that 1) I have a lot to learn, and 2) After that I still have a lot to learn.

The advice from drivers and owners is the best source of information as not only does it answer my questions with no BS, cut the fat, type of style, it also opens my mind to many more questions and answers to questions I didnt even know I had. When I ran flatbed my boss would always black out the rates on the load comfirmations before giving them to me for dispatch. I never really got a good inside glimpse at the ins and outs of a small two truck operation besides that which I could see firsthand from the driverseat and what they would tell me, but that is just business, cant be mad at that.

This site and you drivers give me the inside look that I have been looking for and for that I am forever grateful and your advice to me is taken into consideration when doing my planning. I want to do this right and not #### it up, so I will do diligent research and understand all that I can possibly suck in, and when the rubber meets the road well see what murphy and his law has in store for me then. Till that time thank you ALL drivers for your seasoned input to us new guys and keep it coming.

Dirty side down

 

I have been following a lil bit of this, and being a young aspiring entrepreneur myself I can see how you feel the way you feel, and Im in no way saying I think your wrong, (as far as you and BW9 goes anyway.) Im not talking sides either way, cause maybe he is an A hole, maybe not. But like BigJohn54 said so perfectly, they have paid their dues and have gone through and seen things we cant even yet imagine that will come before us. He probably could have been nicer I do agree, but his words are coming from years and years of doing what we are just trying to poke the tip into...and its seeming like a deep hole, but a fun ride!!

Yes you should run from negativity like the wind and follow through with your master plan no matter what anyone says, but I think the guy personally has earned the right to say what he says and when we have been there, we will too. Its trucker love lol, and Id rather have it that way, and you dont honestly think youd give your hard earned information from years of service up for free do you? I wouldnt. But then again, nobody like that I ever worked for has either. Ive always had to prove myself to be a man, they never handed this to me...and still talk #### to this day haha!

Anyway, I dont want any of this to rub you the wrong way I am just saying what I think. I have all the respect in the world for you and especially what you are trying to do. And congratulations for being where you are at, your far ahead of me in the game.

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, and if you are by chance posting up your progress and how things are going here, I would love to follow along and see how everything turns out for you.

May the sun be on your face, and the wind at your back...Hahaha yea I know its corny but ever since I saw it in a movie thought it was a good way of putting it. Good luck bud! You can do it!

 

I just read on ooida site that fleets of 3 or less are exempt until 2014. After that, fleets of 3 or less can run a 2004-2006 motor with PM filter until 2019. After that it sounds like they will not allow anything prior to 2010. Unless you fall under the drayage or agricultural rules.

 

I live in CA first of all. And second, I couldnt agree with you more. I think the way California does a lot of things is bass ackwards and Ive talked to many drivers that simply wont touch it. I personally believe the rest of the world needs to be held accountable for their share of pollution and they need to start leaving the big trucks alone. I was pulled into a temp rest area inspection station where they had the DOT trailer office unit, a big triple axle unit with two huge doors, hanging wide open in the middle of the day in the middle of the summer in the middle of the desert, with generators pumping away to keep the ac units on so the cool air could just float away out the doors, but they would not let trucks idle there? BS to me.

My question to you would be, what, (if any) ways could we as drivers combat this situation and stricter regulations, and bull#### laws? If we, like you said, cancelled our CA authority, (Sorry if I worded that stupid), do you think this would make a difference? Especially with a port like Port of Los Angeles there? I dont know how many of our imports come through there but the way the industry is, I cant see how there would ever be a shortage of trucks enough to scare these dickheads into relaxing a little. It just seems like they are given free reign to do as they please and we all get the short end of the stick.

Do you think doing something like writing to politicians, or something would help? Maybe a petition?? Im just throwing things out there...If I knew Id be trying to make a difference already.

Sorry, I tend to get carried away with my words The big question I have for you is what, if anything, in your opinion can be done by us drivers, either collectively, or as individuals, to try to make a difference out here and make it a lil bit easier to breath? As far as legislation and regulations go, not only CA but nationwide, how do we take a stand against capitol hill and put our foot down? How do we say enough is enough? Are we just SOL???

Or is there some way we can fight back?:smt071:smt071:smt071:smt071