To go owner operator or not. I need input!

You're right....that all depends on how a driver runs the truck, the areas they run, repairs, you know the business. I saw an article that the average take home for OO is somewhere between $50,000 - $55000 per year. I work for a guy now who is a penny pincher to the max. The most he could take home was $1200 per week after all the expenses came out. That type of money can be made running as a company driver with less headache. Many people who go to OO aren't business men. I can't tell you how many times I'll hear a driver gross $3500 or more and then take an entire week off.

 

This has gotten to be the only company on earth who are just giving folks. You know what they said right? If it sounds to good to be true it ain't true..........

 

exactly, some business education, bookkeeping, and maybe spread sheet knowledge. it ain't hard to learn by reading a book, or online sites. one does not have to be a rocket scientist. but i have seen on a few websites over the years, first thing, they get some money, they want chromed wheels, chromed sun visor, etc,etc.

spending money as soon as they get it.

and then in less than the 2 year "probationary period", we see way too many o/o trucks for sale, in The Truck paper....

 

they could care less what the o/o has to pay for his own truck. they (the owner(s) of the company) are running a business as well, and need to watch thier own costs as well.

they "may be" giving the o/o's more loads, cuz they hustle MORE THAN a company driver?

you see, it's the O/O's that REALIZE, if they do not hustle, they can lose their truck..

question..."what if"...i say.."what if", that company goes under..??

and don't say, "it'll never happen"....

think the owners of the company could care what the o/o's do from that point..??

it's everyone for themselves,. when the ship sinks.....

 

I was in a similar situation, except I was at $92k as a w-2 company driver. Sat on the fence for a couple of years, then decided to just pull the trigger after one of the shop mechanics (who was part time O/O), told me to just do it already, and my wife sent me a random text to just 'get your truck and we'll make it work'.

Bought a truck 7 weeks ago, and leased on with the company I'd been working for. So far it's been smooth sailing and much, much less stressful. About 20% more money all things considered, but many more options for the future.

Oddly enough, that shop mechanic quit his FT mechanic job and went FT O/O at the same time I did.

Just do it.

 

don't matter how long a company has been in business. if he has adult children, what's to say a great offer for a buyout will not happen? then the new owners, in order to recoup thier expenditures, WILL make cutbacks. i have seen too many family owned businesses here, to think any differently.

 

with your wife working/owning a business, how often does she really see the kids?

now you go off to work, how often will you see your kids?

weekends are not enough, unless you want crack/meth heads around your house in a few years.