How many O/O didn't do the cdl mill

My father has been wanting to just purchase a truck, and get our own loads.. I wouldn't mind it, but I really don't know of a good place to find consistent loads. I mean a load to somewhere, and a backhaul.

 

The first thing you have to learn is there is no such thing as a backhaul . A load is a load . No hauling cheaper to "get back" .

 

Last time I checked, not all runs paid the same. And often the free market makes sure that you won't get the same rate coming out that you got going in. Something that FreightlinerGuy has picked up on.

 

the #1 rule to starting out is make sure you have the funds to tide you over for 6 months.

hauling your own loads with your own authority. you might be waiting that long before you actually start seeing money coming in.

you don't just haul a load and expect to get paid IMMEDIATELY. most of your loads wait close to 60 days to pay up. and what do you do with the companies that DON'T pay up.

 

I've had one load take 59 days to pay. After 30 days I am calling and bugging the carp out of them to pay up. It really has not been an issue getting paid in 30 days other than a couple of "illegible paperwork" issues and one broker that I won't haul for again.

As to the CDL mill question, I did not go to a formal school but was taught by my father in law. It was basic training only and then trial by fire. Although it was 20+ years ago I would say you "could" do the same now. I would recommend driving for someone else for a while just for experience sake. There are some tough lessons to learn in this business and they can be expensive when you're on your own. I've been involved in trucking my whole life either as a driver or manager and I still learn something new every week. My opinion is that experience will not prevent you from ever making a mistake but it will help you in not making a bad situation worse.