Why Become an Owner Operator?

That depends on what my kids want.

If I owned a trucking company with a couple hundred trucks, if any of my kids wanted into the business, they would first have to put their time in behind the wheel. At least 5 years. 5 years in the truck and then I would move that kid into the office. If you cant hack it in a truck, you sure as hell aren't getting in the office. After all, how can you run a trucking company if you cant run a truck? If none of my kids were in the office by the time I was ready to retire, my company would go to my senior drivers, with my senior office person as the new CEO.

No one gets a free ride. Not even the kids.

 

Without risk there is no reward.

 

Ahhh c'mon, they are but simple pleasures that make going to work more enjoyable! Point is, perks of owning vs driving what someone else's
idea of what "good enough" is. I spend more time in it than anywhere, I don't think it's shallow to wanna have power on tap, be able to rattle your head with whatever ya listen to, and see for miles. I deserve it. We all do! All reasons (as small as they are) for owning vs driving someone else's.

 

@sirjeff .. ok, I'll give you a pass.

I agree, sometimes we need to drown out the background noise a little bit plus let loose. You know, that "wave yo hands in the air, like you just dont care" moment...hahaha

 

I tend to agree with @sirjeff to a degree. If I want to do something to my truck to make life better or more comfortable no one can tell me I can't except me.

The guy I used to drive for had the holder for the mic broken off on his truck. I asked him to fix it. Nope!

Drove me nuts.

 

I became an owner operator because I got tired of slip seating and dealing with low powered trucks,
with your own truck you can build it up as much as you want. you can install your electronic equipment
how and where you want it, put your amps and subs in if you want including xm radio, put in the most
comfortable seat if you want to help with the long days...and the second biggest reason I became an owner op is you cant be held hostage doing runs that no one else wants to do...

 

Well I guess I better correct myself. I never planned to be a trucker. It was helping a family member in a tight spot out that got me in the industry. I learned to love trucking that along with a lack of education, a hatred of minimum wage dead-end jobs and desire NOT to be dependent on (no offence intended) a man to support me that kept me in it. I have sense corrected the education issues, still hate minimum wage jobs and still don't need anyone to support me. I use my skills to help others and that keeps me in trucking and happy.

 

Respect.

No one should be dependent on someone else to support them, if it is at all avoidable. It's too much responsibility to be putting on someone that you care about, and too risky to do to someone that doesn't care about you. Even if it's easily within their means, and they are completely willing to bear the responsibility; things happen. People die, or get sued, or markets crash, or technology makes things obsolete... it's too much responsibility and risk.

If you love one another, then *both* help one another. If you don't, *both* stand on their own two feet, and walk away.

Respect.

 

My generation was you grow up get married, have babies stay at home, have no say about anything. Not for me after the hell of my first marriage. It's all good now. The boys (cats) aren't too demanding.

 

My generation was just exiting that attitude, with Women's Lib. The problem for my generation, was that the ladies saw what they percieved to be freedom, influence, and opportunity - but neglected to notice the responsibility, obligation, risk, and labor that went along with it. Sure, women wanted to join the military - but for all the shouting about equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal pay; no one seemed interested in demanding that they also be equally available for conscription, via Selective Service enrollment. Equal rights; equal responsibility. I'm all for it, but only when the two go together.

Respect, for keeping them together.