O/O running own authority

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Redbeard007, Jan 15, 2017.

  1. Eska

    Eska Light Load Member

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    I usually use mapco and QT. If there is non of those, then i open my app to shop for fuel prices on my route. To me ta pilot etc is doing a bait game. For example yesterday flying j price was $2.71 and i got my fuel from mapco for $2.39.
    So i think im getting those deep discounts like mega carriers are offering.
     
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  3. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Tampa, Fl
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    You'll figure it out.

    There are a few hurdles to conquer when starting out. If you have never had a CDL,.. your lack of experience combined with new entrant DOT authority, not only will you cringe when you discover what your insurance coverage will cost,.. but many brokers, carriers, shipper etc will not even entertain loading your truck until you meet their qualifications.

    I would strongly suggest you hire on with a company and get a few years under your belt before jumping straight into being an O/O. Thats just me.

    Best of luck to you.

    Hurst
     
  4. Redbeard007

    Redbeard007 Light Load Member

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    Im going to be a company driver for atleast 2 years. I dont wanna jump into o/o and end up not loving the work. But i love traveling. Getting paid to travel sounds amazing, and not having a boss stareing at you all day seems like a big plus. Ive worked otr as a driver helper before and loved it just hated shareing the truck with the boss aka driver.
     
  5. GCH7224

    GCH7224 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 8, 2014
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    I see that you are located in Tampa and was wondering if you know of any good companies or brokers to lease my truck on with. I will be first time Owner Op with over 16 years as a company driver experienced in flatbed, dry van, reefer and car haul and was thinking of going the refrigerated route because of the proximity to plant city. After reading alot of your posts I want to lease on with someone before laying down the big $$ for a trailer so I would be grateful for any advice you have to offer.
     
  6. Pepper24

    Pepper24 Road Train Member

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    what factoring company do you use that will only charge a single truck o/o less then 4%
     
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Michigan
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    A lot of good advice here, mine would be to make sure you have the 90 days to cover expenses at your worst case scenario and work hard to maintain a good discipline of where the money sits (meaning don't spend it on stupid crap) plus do not have the attitude you have to pay yourself first - your obligations always come first.
     
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  8. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    Liberty, Missouri
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    You can get paid many ways. T check, ComChecks, direct deposit. All take a bit. Sometimes you have to do that to get your cash flow going.
     
  9. rasymacmac21

    rasymacmac21 Light Load Member

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    Sep 25, 2009
    East of the Mississippi.
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    Lol. If you want to dream running dry van freight with your own authority from NC to TX and back, go right ahead. For an average cost of $1.4 - 1.50 a mile, you sure you want to fulfill them?
     
  10. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Tampa, Fl
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    I do open deck and its pretty tough finding loads out of Fl. I dont know if Van or Reefer is any better. Lots of Flowers and OJ coming out of Fl. I often dead head up to Ga just on principle rather than run 44k out for $1.20mi. Its disgraceful and a slap in the face, some of the rates drivers are taking to get out of Fl.

    As for who to lease on with,.. just because you are in Fl does not mean you need to lease on with someone in Fl. I am leased on with a Lithuanian guy out of Chicagoland. Its not the most perfect arrangement. But we work well together.

    I park my truck with a few other O/O's. 2 of the open deck guys who keep trying to get me to sign on are with Jones motors. I see Landstar and Mercer also in there.

    Leasing on has its upsides and down sides. Most guys looking to lease on with someone are looking for a carrier who can guarantee rates and or also dispatch them so they are treated just like a company driver IMO. This doesnt always work out and O/O's may bump heads with the dispatcher when you find your killing yourself out there and not making much more than when you were a company driver.

    Also,. something to keep in mind when leasing on. If the carrier you lease on with has no direct freight or contracts of their own. Then they are dealing with brokers and loadboards. There is no possible way they can promise any kind of rate to you. The only thing thing you can do is hope their dispatch is smart enough to keep you profitable or have them enable you to book your own loads and even that is no guarantee if you do not understand where the smart lanes to be are and when to be there.


    There are many carriers with trailers. That is one of the advantages of leasing on when you first start out. Less up front expense. Fuel card, fuel discounts, insurance, national tire accounts etc. Also in some cases, you can actually be more profitable leasing than if you had your own authority. Just be careful,.. there are a lot of empty promises being thrown around to naive rookie O/O's who dont know what they are getting into. Read the contract carefully when leasing on. You can still make money,.. just dont give up too much just to have their name on your door. There are rats everywhere in this business.

    Hurst
     
  11. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Tampa, Fl
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    There are a few cheaper fuel tops in Wy. When heading west I'll top off my fuel in La Porte, In,.. that will get me to Laramie where I usually stop in at the Diamond Shamrock.

    I havent been in Montana in almost 2 yrs now. Kinda miss the scenery out there. My wife was with me last time. Being from Fla she was like,.. its June and they are calling for snow tonight?!? Oh no,.. we need to go! LOL That was coming out of Idaho heading into Mt.

    Hurst
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2017
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