Owner Operator

I'm thinking you are asking in the wrong forum.

 

You can be a first rate driver but a tenth rate businessman. Knowing how to drive won't determine your success as an owner operator. In today's market, you need to understand business and look at it as one, the days of looking at it from a compnay driver perspective (miles=money) won't get you far now.
The first step is to understand this business and develop a business plan- understand what it costs to run a truck versus what it makes. Then figure out if the risk of more money (or freedom) is worth the headache.
The next step is to see if you can survive in this industry. It takes serious miles to turn those cents into dollars and it isn't for the faint of heart.

 

Why's that? He's a newbie asking in the newbie forum?

Owner op has a lot more headaches over being a company man. Less responsibility too. Being able to drive the truck is the way part. Dealing with ####### shippers and receivers, lying cheating brokers, threats the hard part.

 

Because there is an owner operator forum.

 

Correct, but he's asking for input from both sides... As a newbie. Instead of chastising him contribute

 

This is a perfect example of why these forums contain bad information. The owner operator forums are full of people that are owner operators AND HAVE BEEN ON THIS SIDE TOO. I can't really contribute because I have always been a company driver AND most of the people in here are the same. Another thing. It is not chastising someone when you guide them to the proper forum.

 

Are those guys that went the owner operator route still doing that or did they go back to being company drivers?

The honest answer is yes it is possible to be worth it, it is not automatically going to put more dollars in your pocket. It is a business, not a goose that lays golden eggs. Can you figure out how to make it poop golden eggs? Nobody will tell you their secret to success. You have to carve out your own.

 

Don't do it unless u know someone who knows someone.

 

Company driver: Do what your told, when your told, how to do it. Pay you when they want, and how much they want to pay you.

Owner Operator: Do whatever you want, but your going to have to do the repairs, paperwork, and taxes.