why being an o/o pays more, less, and the same

I'm a newbie, so take this with a grain of salt and correct me or offer your opinion as needed.

Being an o/o offers freedom, independence, ect... ad nauseum.

Some are getting rich and some are going broke. Part of this is skill and some is luck, both good and bad.

Not everyone will be an owner operator and make good money but anyone can be an owner operator and make great money.

To be one of those that can and do make money, You need to have additional skill sets beyond driving the truck. As a company driver you usually don't care how far you dead-head, where you buy fuel or what you pay. This and a host of other expenses simply aren't your problem. You are the employee and won't often see any true benefits from a job well done.

Basically you are meat in the seat, getting paid by the mile, plus a small bonus of a few cents per mile for your years of experience. NOTE: I said years of experience and not ability to drive because it is primarily a longevity per diem. You've been driving 6 years, you will make more money than a newbie just starting out at virtually any company. The newbie may be gods gift to geartrains, and you may be goat herding down the road coffee and donut in hand, not watching your mirrors and you still get paid more.

Being a meat in the seat driver and going owner operator would more than likely leave the goat herder broke and wondering what happened.

Being a very good driver and going owner operator could still leave you broke. You need the "additional skill set" to really be successful.

The "additional skills" are common sense, attention to detail, efficiency, ability and willingness to adapt quickly, and self-discipline.

With these "skills" you will make more money. Granted, if you spend the money you are no better off than you would have been. Buy a good used truck and don't lose on the, drive it off the lot, depreciation. Maintain your truck and avoid costly repairs. Save money so you can pay for maintenance and the unexpecteded repairs. Pay attention to base fuel prices. Drive economically minded. Have enough insurance and hopefully never use it. Secure the load. Drive according to existing and potential conditions. Stay healthy. It isn't rocket science.

As an owner operator you will be competing against very large, well organized, multi-million dollar corporations. This is to your advantage! They are fat, heavy, slow moving entities with huge overhead expenses. You are efficient. They pay alot of drivers low wages to be able to afford the CEO and his compensation package.

There aren't any longevity bonuses "in general" for being an owner operator. It is a level playing field and you have the ability to make as much money as the next guy from day one. This doesn't mean you will get rich, because you equally have the ability to lose just as much money as the next guy. If you both have and use your skills you will be money ahead in the end over driving for a company.

NOTE: If you get enough money ahead and pay cash for a $145,000.00 Pete, that's a part of your CEO compensation for years of service. Each to his own with no judgements but I personally would keep running the two year old cheaper truck and leave the extra money in the retirement fund for old age, unless you plan on driving until you're dead. Dad told me years ago the best car is the one that runs, drives, and is paid for. I expect this translates well into trucking depending on your priorities. In general, drive it until it is no longer economically intelligent to do so.

Every person is different and I keep hearing 5 years with a company before going owner operator. Personally I think 2 years to get the shine off of yourself and if you haven't got what it takes you probably never will. Maybe 5 years is quoted to add in some time for saving enough money to get off to a good start? That makes perfect sense because if you plan on the zero down lease of a new truck and striking off on your own, well, you need to better develope the previously mentioned skills.

I hope I haven't missed anything. Though long in length, the posting is actually very short and speaks in generalities. I look forward to any opinions, debate, or additions. They can only help... be well all and have a good weekend when you get to it.