more money? own authority or owner operator for company like us express?

find another company.

Landstar or Farm2Fleet would be better IMO.

Or get your own authority.

 

So many variables but ultimately it comes down to you and your own good business sense. Some guys make great money under their own authority and some make great money leased on. Many don't in either scenario and would likely do themselves a favor by leasing on with USX.... Sometimes guys leased on make a lot more than similar operations under their own authority. There is no clear cut answer. It all comes down to the individual. I will say in all seriousness you can scratch leasing on to USXpress or any similar flat rate based mileage pay company off the list as something profitable to you. It requires zero business sense in a lease like that. Basically all you do is drive up big miles and hope expenses don't kill you cause they can eat you alive quick at the poor rates paid. Best is and will always be, the ability to set your own rates on the open market and find your own niche. Be that under your own authority or in a percentage lease that allows you the freedom to do so. You won't be able to negotiate top dollar at USX. If you don't know anything about freight you'll have a difficult time of it with authority or percentage lease. It's all on you, good luck.

 

I don't mean to be rude, but if you have to ask that question almost certainly you are not prepared to run under your own authority. I know this advice is ignored all the time, but experienced drivers (company and owner operators) will strongly suggest you drive as a company driver two or three years and learn the industry before even considering getting your own authority.

 

I am leased to a company, it does eliminate a lot of paperwork headaches and waiting for loads. I did my own authority for two years and made good money at it, but in the end I settled on this lease was better for me because Im on a dedicated route and still bring home good money. It comes down to what you want as a businessman. If you are new to the industry I would say dont buy a truck for at least 3-5 years so you can learn the ins and outs. But it is all up too you. Many know it alls will tell you like the last guy tjat if you ask you shouldnt do it. But youre doing good so far by asking questions, asking questions and listening is the way too learn.

 

Leasing to a company that pays mileage is a dead end, the only way to earn more is more miles, and there is a limit. If you lease to USX and stay 10 years you will only be making maybe 5 cents a mile more than a new hire.

Leasing to a percentage company that has their own direct customers, not all load board freight is a good way to start, at least you have a chance to earn more than mileage pay. Pull your own trailer, they make money.

 

I didn't realize I was a "know it all", maybe you think the sugar coated version of buying/operating a truck is okay. With the number of drivers that have been burned by getting in over their heads with leases to crappy companies, shady lease purchase deals, and in general disreputable and unscrupulous behavior by far too many trucking companies, telling the truth should be welcomed. And, I don't see where I said he shouldn't do anything, I said he was most likely unprepared. And as I said 2-3 years driving, you said DON'T buy a truck for 3-5 years, so your answer was far more restrictive.

I'm all for drivers working whatever type of operation they want, company, lease, own authority. But knowledge of exactly what is required to run under your own authority seems to get glossed over in responses too often. The regulatory environment we're now operating in is making it harder for new entrants, especially one truck operations. Not impossible, but more difficult. As you yourself have found it can be just as well to lease to a good, reputable company and eliminate a ton of paperwork, and along with that much liability.

Entering this industry is often an experience far different from what is anticipated, at no matter what level you choose to begin. For a company driver, they can walk away and move to another company, or leave the industry at will. Lease purchase operators may be bound for a certain amount of financial obligation even if they walk away. For those with little to no experience, to buy a truck and lease to a carrier there is still significant risk if they are not sufficiently aware of how to account for their money, taxes, maintenance, etc. Having your own authority adds all the regulatory compliance issues of drug testing, having drug policies in place, required driver files, truck maintenance files and schedules, cargo and liability insurance, how to handle billing and chasing down non-paying customers, having enough money to take care of maintenance and fuel until you're paid (30-60 days later is common), not to mention dealing with CSA points, requirements for log auditing and HOS compliance. Having authority requires the same level of legal compliance from a one truck owner as it does from a mega-carrier.

Anyone who has been around this industry long enough has seen drivers that started out with the best intentions get in serious financial binds, if not bankruptcy and repossessions, due to not being prepared for the risks associated with owning a truck as either a lease operator or independent. The common number many agree on is to have at least $20K in funds available to cover contingencies if running your own authority. There is no company to even ask to help you out, as many good companies will consider for their leased trucks. Even then $10K is a rather minimal amount to have on hand as a lease operator. How many drivers have lost their trucks because of a breakdown on the road? I've delivered loads and towed back trailers to our company when drivers broke down and couldn't repair their trucks.

I want to prevent drivers from failing, not from succeeding. Forums are filled with people saying how their expectations as company drivers, lease operators, and independents dealing with brokers and load boards, are far different from how they had expected things to be. You can explain how things work in the real world of trucking, or skip over these details that can make the difference between success and failure.

 

Having your own authority is not only an administrative challenge, but a costly one as well. if you have the financial means like others have said, and you want to take a gamble, go for it. make sure that you are fully prepared and understand all of your obligations to the DOT's and FMCSA.

Running under other people's authority can take away some freedoms, but there are companies out there that just ask you to pay a monthly fee to run under their authority and keep them up to date on all info that they need for regulatory requirements. Other companies have established freight contracts, but that binds you to a dispatching system that may or may not screw you over.

interpersonal skills are crucial to this endeavor. If you can't build and establish good working relationships with dispatchers, brokers, shippers and receivers you will have a very hard time no matter which way you go.