Best Paying Branch as O/O?

Why dont you get your license first and see if you are even capable of driving these beasts like a halfway intelligent human being.

 

some local work pays well,,problem is trying to get the good work,,others doing local now took many years to get going, as for broker,,you got to have a source of freight direct from the shipper or manufacture at a good rate so you can take a cut and have enough left to hire a good truck,, kind of like being a pimp,,got to have some good looking ho's to attract the high paying johns,,,local best pay will be lowbed work then maybe refrigerated,,if it pays well it usually means work and having some smarts

Go buy a 24ft straight truck with a lift gate,,go to the airport and find airfreight going with in a 100 miles or so,,there is no get tich scheme in truck,,a lot of loosing your shirt , all your money and grand ma's shorts..then there is the legal problems with the coppers...

 

What's your question really. You obviously have millions laying around just waiting to be invested. Why don't you start by hiring some market researchers first, to analyze what industries are located where you live. Also, detailed statistics about prospective competitors. Further, what transportation services are needed in your area. Finally, determine which market segment you wish to satisfy.
Sorry you sound like somebody who cannot find sleep at night.

 

My honest recommendation:

Sign on with someone as a company driver. You'll likely start out pulling dry van or reefer. Learn how to control the truck, how to back, how to do the "trucker stuff". Do that for at least a year, and get your "noob" accidents out of the way while the company foots the repair bill. (And yes, you are going to have them.)

During that year, keep an eye on the various markets (what you called the "branches"). See where the demand (and the money) is. Every market has different cycles. Learn where the slow seasons are, and where the busy seasons are. You're going to need that info so you can save enough money during the peaks to cover your expenses during the droughts.

After you've been driving for a year, and you think you've figured out what market you want to pursue, then sign on as a company driver with a company in that market. Get hands-on. Learn it inside and out. Be sure to keep your eye on the overall market, as well. Do that for at least another year. And take a few online business courses. Oh, and try to save up about $10K; you're going to need it.

You may find that you *really* don't like to be out working with tarps in a -20 degree windstorm. Or in the summer sun, for that matter. No problem; you can switch if you need to.

With 2+ years of experience under your belt, you are minimally ready to become an Independent Contractor (IC).

Your first IC experience should be as a straight lease operator. Try to pick up the last year or so of someone else's lease; that way, you're not on the hook for the full 4-5 years.

Once you complete the lease contract, then you can sign a lease-purchase contract for the truck YOU want.

Once that truck is paid off (and you hold the title), find someone to drive it for you, and get another truck!

Yes, it takes a while to build a fleet. Remember, though, that even the megas started as "one man, one truck".