Would you do it again O/O current rates

Cj usually you and i are on the same page, but i kinda disagree here. Rates are decent enough, combined with low fuel costs, to make money right now. Not a lot but still enough. If a guy got in to it today, what he would learn in the 9 months till next spring would put him in a better position to take full advantage when things turn back around.

And if a guy was to go under and fail at today's rates, i don't think they would do any better a year from now. The same cheap freight is always there, no matter how good the economy is.

 

Spyder I agree that cheap rates have and always will be there, however, the good rates are leaving or have already gone. Not enough good rates out there to compensate for the horrible ones. Plus guys are taking the cheap freight so no chance of them coming up anytime soon.

 

While there is less of the good freight, their is still enough to make money. Now would i sissy a guy go out and buy a brand new truck, trailer and get his own numbers? Of course not, but i wouldn't suggest that to any one just starting out no matter how good the winning was.

 

I'm not saying it can't be done. And if someone has enough capital then I would agree with you 100%. But I don't think now is the time for the average person to start out. Can you or I find good freight? Sure. And maybe you could when you first started, but I'm not sure I could have.

 

I decided to get out and sell my truck while it was still easy enough to get good money for it.
The wife and I discussed it for a few months and decided it just wasn't worth living in a truck anymore and we were better off if I find a good paying local/regional gig that paid good and had good benefits.
I started looking for a good Tanker gig. Sold the Pete, an 03 longhood with the 6nz cat, for more than i paid. Got a deal on it when I bought it and all I spent on it besides normal maintenance was upgraded the turbo by choice when I flashed the ecm to a custom 600hp C16 file. Put over 500,000 on it. It was a good truck and I was anal about keeping it that way

Wasn't exactly happy with the food grade company I started at in February and 3 weeks ago I found the Hazmat Tanker gig I was looking for.
I think I made the right decision, for us anyway, at a good time and I'm happy. I'm home most nights and weekends, making good money with good benefits and I'm not busting my ### and living in my truck for peanuts.
I just don't see the good old days ever coming back when it comes to running otr as an O/O. I blame all the wannabe steering wheel holders and fleece ops that THINK they're O/Os and run for peanuts. As long as these wannabees are out there and running for the bottom feeder megas for 1.10/mile it will never get better and I'm just not willing to live in a truck and drive for the current rates.
To the REAL O/Os that are willing to ride it out and hope for better days, I wish ya luck and all the best.
I do miss the freedom and I do miss the sound and feel of my big kitty kat!

To answer the OP, no regrets and I'd do it again if things ever turned around and looked like it would stay turned around. But like I said, I just don't see that happening.

 

There has always (or at least since 95 when i started) been guys leased to big box carriers running for a buck a mile. That hasnt changed and won't ever change, the solution is don't try to compete with them. They got that market locked down. Compete in a market that has better paying freight. Flat bed for example. Produce and fresh plants is another example.

 

So there is a small shred of hope that there are still some good owner operator gigs out there?

 

A lot depends on the area you're in. I am located in a hot area for reefer freight. I have big plans beyond running under a carrier's authority. Several shippers in my area will work directly with you once your authority is active for 6 months. Line you up a couple lanes that make your money and one that can get you back to start the circle again. I can't see myself ever running like the big guys do if I got my own numbers. In my opinion, to make it as a one man show keep the running area small and hit home often where the money is at.

 

Depends on who you ask. I make good money, and many of my friends do. Is it as much as i made 15 years ago adjusted for inflation? Of course not but name one occupation outside of politicians that is.