when to become. an owner opp

how i knew...

After 4 companies in 2 years and 2 leases pulled(one lemon, one wanted me to work 24.7) and dealing with slave driving bosses.

I work local
i enjoy starting at 9, end at 5 and avoiding sitting still in traffic 4 hours a day.

I like the fact i can take a day off to go to doctors appointment without asking permission or hearing truck owner complain they dont Make enough.

Many companies and owners expect drivers to max out driving hours then fudge and run an extra 20. Its not worth the fine, points or losing my L over it.

I was splitting my checks 50.50 with my lease operators and felt smothered. They #####ed i didnt work enough, they #####ed when i ran hard and truck broke or needed maintenence. They tried forcing me to take dedicated hazardous runs because it was steady 14 hour days.

I was used to making 50% already so i still only take 50% after fuel but i now have a new truck. No boss. I decide what i do and refuse those i know ill lose money on.

Btw im leased onwith a company, i average 45 a year and work 35 to 45 hours a week Local.
There really isnt much difference in pay between company driver and owner operator head to head.

Once u take out truck payment unless its paid for. Insurance. Plates. Fuel. Escrow you really only make a few hundred extra which really needs to go into savings because the trucks gonna break.

What you do get as a OO is freedom and what i feel is 1 less boss yelling at you. Dispatch dont give a #### if u work or not, company owner doesnt care unless ur in his truck.

 

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Its time to become an OO when you discover you have too much money and need to get rid of it in a hurry.

 

thats basically what I was going to say.

1. A bunch of extra money you don't know what to do with, or good credit you're not afraid to ruin.
2. Want more autonomy to do things your way.
3. Actually want to make a long term career of the trucking industry (think long and hard about that one...the sacrifices are many. A lot of guys do it for a few years and decide it sucks.)

 

Company drivers go where, and when, they are told. It's a lot different than going where and when you choose. One day off for each week out, only excuse is medical. Dealing with dispatch is a lot different, as well. The money is better as an O/O or I/C, but in my world, not being told what to do by people who I don't know means more than the money. Many drivers don't like being told what to do, and when to do it, by desk pilots however well intended. Or, just doing their job. Best

 

I work for a small company, 6 trucks + 2 I/Cs. The boss dispatches from his cab. Once the trucks are parked, he's a good friend, when they're rolling he's the best boss in the world. We work Mon. - Fri., as much or as little as we want, and get paid well. I'm fortunate to have the best of both worlds.