Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by double yellow, Nov 5, 2014.

  1. truckerdo

    truckerdo Light Load Member

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    Sorry for the double post. This tablet has a mind of its own sometimes..I still remember the feeling I had when I saw that letter. In a way, I am kind of glad it happened. I spent so much time sitting in that office chair and my head may have exploded by now.
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2016
    Reason for edit: Grammar
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  3. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Rates are lower than they have been since 09. And surprise! Shipping volume is down to levels not seen since 09.

    Slight correction, rates dropped under 09 levels back in September and have stayed there.

    This according to a Morgan Stanley article dated jan 27th.
     
  4. PALOU

    PALOU Light Load Member

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    Dec 16, 2013
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    Hi man...
    Just got the mc # and duns
    Do I need a business license if I already have usdot and mc?
     
  5. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    @truckerdo I've been parked since dec 29. I had the truck in the shop for some of that (bullgear plus lots and lots of little extras), but the rates have been so low that I haven't been tempted to book anything (especially with the possibility of chaining).

    As far as your own authority -- I would recommend it if the paperwork aspect doesn't overwhelm you and you could reasonably expect to find direct customers near your home. Or if you think you might want to hire drivers someday.

    As a 1 truck owner operator running load board freight, I basically bought a job with a little more routing/scheduling freedom. But my net worth would have been better served if I'd stayed a company driver and invested that ~$50k startup money into something that actually produces a reasonable return.


    As for poker, I don't miss playing and actually haven't played one hand since then. But I miss the freedom of that lifestyle. I could work when I wanted, for as long as I wanted (often 18+ hours), wherever I could find decent internet. And if I wanted to go see Les Claypool on the weekend and wound up stoned second-hand (or first), there was no threat of a urine test on Monday...

    Check with your city. For mine, a business license is not required unless I do business inside the city.
     
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  6. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    Business licenses are local, not federal like the DOT numbers. Check with your city/county/governmental agency. Like DY's answer, my local folks don't require a business license because I don't meet specific requirements...retail sales from a brick-and-mortar building, maintaining a public business office, etc.
     
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  7. Blu_Ogre

    Blu_Ogre Road Train Member

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    Just keeping the thread active....
     
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  8. icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    Kansas City, KS
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    Whew, that took a while too get caught up. I hadn't checked in since October.
     
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  9. colorado18spd

    colorado18spd Medium Load Member

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    What's the rpm's at 65? Glove box doesn't have sticker ratio or door jam's? Ratio's in the two's indicate a direct drive.
     
  10. icsheeple

    icsheeple Trailing the Herd

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    Kansas City, KS
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    In the last hole I was doing about 68-70mph at 1500rpm. I would run in 8low or 12th, direct, and be about 58mph at 1500 rpm. And I'd even stay in direct and do 16-1700rpm if I needed to do 60-63 for the terrain or traffic or load time constraints. I did about 7mpg on all miles when running light round trip automotive freight and 6.5mpg running at gross on a dedicated propane run.

    I'm pretty sure it's 2.83. I'm going to detail the truck next weekend and I'll update the ad. I still need to swing by the bank for the last payment and lien release paperwork for the title.

    I kinda had this fantasy that I'd put the ad up and within minutes someone on a white dog dragon would fly in and meet me at the bank to pay me the full asking price and settle up the lien and take my power of attorney and bill of sale for the title and fly away.... In all honesty I feel the price is right and I don't mind holding onto the truck for a while if necessary. I already had a guy look at it that seems really interested, but who knows. He asked if I could hold it, and I couldn't help but laugh. First person to put that cash in my hand gets it.

    My buddy said I could lease it onto his authority if I found a driver. Which isn't a bad idea, if I found a good driver I could trust. Last thing I want is a call at 3am that my truck just blew the transmission and the driver is quitting.

    But I'm trying to move into a different, stress free, environment. When business decisions start to affect my personal piggy bank I get squeamish...
     
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