Where to go O/O?

If you plan on leasing to a carrier, it doesn't make any difference where they base. It is where their primary freight lanes run.

 

Stay based in NC, the rustbelt is history.

 

As stated, as long as you live in their freight lane then you will be fine. Mega carriers such as Schneider, JB Hunt and others don't care where u live (as long as its not FL) as they send you all over. Some regional places might not hire if you live outside their area.

On a side note, living in NC you would probably do best pulling a flatbed as the rates are higher than van freight by quite a bit. But if you don't mind running to NY, NJ, PA and the likes, you could do well in a van.

 

Check some of the trucking magazines and see where some of the carriers hire. North Carolina should not be a problem with most carriers. In any case, it is your truck and you will be the one buying the fuel. Decide what type of freight that you want to haul and then start checking out different carriers.

 

You could live in B-F-E as long as you are willing to pay the fuel to get to the freight lanes, your truck, your bills.

 

might as well go over the border into SC. It's cheaper, workmans comp is atleast half of what NC is

 

I keep running into threads where young drivers with limited experience want to become o/ops. Take your time. Get some more experience. Becoming an o/op may increase you cash flow, but if you assume it will increase your income you will likely be broke in a hurry.

I thought the following article does a good job of highlighting the current issues facing the trucking industry. The second half of the article, dealing with increasing costs is something that is important for o/ops to consider.

http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucks_at_work/2011/11/15/a-window-on-truckings-struggles/

In my opinion, it is a small percentage of drivers 5-10% that make more money and are happier and owner operators. I have several company drivers that could be owner operators, but prefer to end their week when they get back to the terminal instead of worrying about maintenance. I even have a couple that were owner operators and choose to be a company driver because it is fewer headaches and less financial stress. Again, just because you have more money coming in does not mean you have more to spend...you have taxes, repairs, replacement to think about.

I am definitely not against owner operators. For the right person, it can be a way to get ahead. You may well be this person. I just thing there is a lot to being successful, and most young drivers with limited experience don't see the whole picture. That being said, if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them.

We don't operate much in the Carolinas, so I would have very little insight to offer. Our open deck trucks do very well steel in Northern Indiana and Ohio, but I am not sure what type of work you are looking for.

 

Probably the best advise I have read on here in a long time. You are spot on, all these ads claiming O/O gross $250K! He can lose $250K just as quick and be out of business.

 

Yeah, and they mention in small print that's a "team operation" and they convieniently neglect to mention almost half that $250K will go to pay for fuel. And then you have to figure maintinence. Doesn't seem so great when reality checks...