Back on the road. Lease purchase with JB Hunt

I just signed a 3 year lease purchase with no balloon at end through a partnership with BCL equipment and JB Hunt.
I know I know... i did a couple lease deals with Dart and you will note I did not end up owning a truck. But I loved the independence being a lease operator provided.
This one is different in that it is a firm 3 year commitment.. no walk away...stuck like Chuck. But I have the perseverance and the will to make it work.
I gave up my cdl for 3 years, thinking I could semi retire and go back to civilian life. Then I realized my 12 years as a truck driver automatically disqualified me for a job as office chick. Besides, I missed the road.
It was a long journey getting that cdl back because Texas demands you start from scratch with a permit and a waiting period and finally a road test in a class A rig.
I explored options and when JB offered to hire me back as a company driver I was good with it but they would not allow me to take both my dogs. When they told me about this deal I decided to jump in.
The deal: a dd13 2013 cascadia (right I hear ya... crapcadia) purchased from a Schneider fleet. $525 a week for 3 years no balloon at end. Refurbished by freightliner including a brand new 2018 egr system. Supposedly all the old leaky kinks worked out from previous years. A solid 3 year freightliner warrantee + a 1 year warrantee on stuff not normally covered like a.c. compressors and water pumps etc. + remaining Detroit warrantee to 600000 + a 1 year roadside service coverage. Oh yeah and a new refrigerator I really didn't want.
It has potential.

 

Thank you for well wishes. I am going to follow in Wickedfire's footsteps and update this thread as the saga unfolds.

 

Ask friendly JB recruiter about it. At first he will try to sell new cascadia for (gasp!) 156k and its a (barf) automatic. Just say No! He wants the BCL deal.

 

I understand. Tried the Montana approach. It was no fun being Ma Ingals without Pa Ingals. As lease operator until truck is paid for I make about the same after taxes as a company driver. But while buying truck I go home when I want to, accessorize or not as I want to, and I can have my little dogs. I don't have the flexibility of a pure owner op. with his own authority but I can turn down a certain percentage of crappy loads and I have the umbrella of the mega for peace of mind. Will let you know how it works out.

 

Getting comfortable. It's a 72 roof so I'm using the top bunk to stow my duffles. I wasn't going to use the top mattress but I unwrapped it by mistake. The thing blew up like the stay puff marshmallow man and took over the cab! But I managed to roll it up some after a rodeo ride and hog tie it with a strap.