Good or Bad??

i hope this helps you a bit, i just got off thew phone with recruiting, to do some more homework, on specs, lease, etc, it was stated to me it is a walk away lease if you desire to do so, and they will get you a bus ticket there, but who really wants to ride a smelly greyhound, i don't and would rather pay airfare..

 

I am driving for jct. Its like any other lease or trk payment. If you go home you still have to make your trk payment. If you get sick you still have to make your trk payment etc... If it is some major sickness that takes a couple of months to recover from, they will take the trk back and charge you for any fees from which the trk has accumilated, like maintenance, recover fees, and so on. They have a very good lease program, however it is still running a business and can cost money out of pocket, and unexpected fees. It is no different than any other owner operator. You can make good money if you are a refined driver and know what you are doing. You can also run yourself into the ground in a hurry if your not business savvy. Phoenix is a good place to live for JCT. Most loads come in and out of La. and being an owner operator it is hard on the wallet if you like to go home often. You do have to go to sapulpa, ok for orientation though.Its about a week.They pay for the hotel and lunch.No orientation pay. Please make sure you are not strapped for cash or have a tight budget at home before coming. Starting off a business in the hole could be a dangerous proposition. If you start off taking advances the chances are high that you wont make it. JCT is a great company to work for and we have many good drivers that make good money. Most of them are experienced previously. JCT requires one year otr. You can check out there website if you want or leave me a message.Dont be afraid to call one of the recruiters they are very nice. Give them my trk number(L1934a) they pay bonuses for recruitment.

 

Chompi, Thanks for the information. It was very helpful and exactly what I needed to hear.

 

Understand the difference between L/O and O/O. An L/O as yourself has to submit to the company's requirements for scheduled maintenance. You also miss a payment, you're at their will for how ever they want to handle it, recover the truck, etc. As an O/O, you are not obligated to no company for a high weekly payment nor can they snatch your truck from you for non payment. Your maintenance shedule is set up by you.
I guess what I'm trying to get across is this.
If you are going to be a major playa in this game, drive for a company for a year or maybe 2, save a nice down payment, and go buy you a truck that is financed ligitamitely (bank or finace company). This gives you a little more leverage to run your business and not have to worry so much about apeasing the company.
Companies, it makes no difference which one, all prey upon you new and maybe not so new drivers that want an opportunity to own your own truck.
JCT is probably one of the better better ones, but when all you have is companies like Central and england to compare them to, that ain't saying much.

 

Leasing a trk from a company is a lot less risk to you and your family. If you go to the bank to buy a trk you must either put up coallateral or a large downpayment, usually in the 20% range. Hopefully you dont have any breakdowns for at least a year because 20% is really going to drain anybodies bank account. If 20% is just a drop in the bucket for you, then truck driving isnt for you. Go buy an expensive RV or play the stock market. If everything goes one hundred percent according to plan you are now an owner operator. Good luck, you will need it. For example, I bought three 08' trucks last year and not one of them ran for more than two days straight. This really put a hurting on my financial status. We sat in hotels for eight months straight. Thank god, and I mean THANK GOD we leased these trucks through a company because they would of came and took my house when I couldnt afford to make the payments every month. Instead the nice company that leased us the trucks let us out of the leases for the grand total of 4000.00 and a bad DAC report. Still have my farm and house still have my marriage and good credit, and we are currently back on the road leasing and making incredible money(until we break down!) So if any BIlly BIg RIggers have any O/O advice shoot it my way. Oh and by the way they will all tell you there Pete's with 550 cats get ten miles two the gallon at 80mph. The owner operator world now has no room or forgiveness for the smokey and the bandits, and the rubber ducks. Successful drivers must have a firm business knowledge and a patience and understanding of how to manage you time and money. The company we lease for shows just that. The only reason for turnover are the ones who cant run a business, not a truck.

 

Let see if I get this right.....$500 or so for trk payment. Got that. plus fuel, Got that. what is the 234.00 cover ??? I am thinking on JCT and I would like to see the breakdown on what you have to pay other then the trk and fuel. So far it sounds good, but I would like more info.

Thanks

 

I believe 1000.00 roughly without fuel is what it should run you. Thats trk plus ins. and some permits, qualxomm etc... Plus some maintenance and trk wash.

 

CHOMPI....
I am due to go to JCT on Oct 6th. I was wondering if you mind telling me your point of veiw and some good/bad about them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

..just my 2cents on this subject; my uncle owned his own trucking company for over 20 yrs, i used to ride with him in the summer when i was out of school & learned quite a bit about the business, at least what he would tell me... so personally i don't think anyone with less than 5 years minimum OTR should be leasing a truck in todays economy, you just don't know enough yet about the business to be getting financially obligated even if it's a walk-away lease.. it would be a more responsible financial decision to drive for a good company at least 3/5 yrs, learn the ins & outs, ups & downs of the business, save what u can, then make a good downpayment on your own truck & not be under the thumb of a company u leased from.. oh, & if u cant save enough for a down payment after 3/5 yrs of driving for someone, how are u gonna make it as an O/O or L/O with all the other added expenses that u didnt have as a company driver?! Trust me on this, do ur driving time 1st then do the "I WANT MY OWN TRUCK" thing after u have some real experience in the business, you'll sleep a lot better if u do!

 

Here I will give u a quick run down, first Ive been driving longer then what is on my profile, that is just how long Ive had my cdl. 2nd my grand mother owned a trucking company in tx, then my dad was a o/o for many years. And my uncle is still a o/o. So I have more exp then u think . I do agree with ur advice my it will help someone else.
Thanks