Happier as a O/O or company driver

O/o is wayy better. It's a ton of responsibility but I wouldn't have it any other way. Companies have too many rules & regs nowadays.

 

I don't mean to be an **** but the rules and regs are the same for both O/O and the company driver.

 

I think what hes referring to is rules that companies put in. Such as driver faced cameras, no talking on cell , no out of route to house, forced dispatch things like that . pretty sure he knows rules and regs are same for everyone, ya think?

 

Professional company goofball with a good, smaller company. For me, the money between me and a good owner/op is pretty close to being a wash in the end. I don't get the freedom to customize my rig, but I don't have to pay fuel, repairs, maintenance, taxes, insurance, or any of that other crap.

Plus, health insurance for a song and the employer pays half my tax and SS obligations. If I'm hitting close to the same income levels on the net income side with 90% less stress and hassle, and enjoy many of the same freedoms as an O/O (Non forced dispatch, can go home when I want, can blacklist customers, set my own schedule and routes), why in the world would I buy a truck?

I'll only go O/O if my carrier goes balls up. No way on God's green earth could I deal with any other carrier's b.s. after being treated like a respected professional where I'm currently at.

 

This is rare. Do you have any verification?

 

I can see the driver's facing cameras, I refuse to put them in even though my insurance company wants them. No talking on a cell ? ? well that's illegal if it is hand held.

I never liked a company that tells me that I can't make a stop so i get that

BUT forced dispatched doesn't apply to a company driver, they are employees and have to take what is given to them.

I had one carrier tell me after I sign on three trucks with them that I wasn't allowed to have passengers, including me in the truck. The trucks were pulled out of their fleet and put somewhere else. So I get the stupid rules thing.

 

What are you grossing a week?

 

We should all know hand held cell not an option. I know of a couple companies no cell at all, yes even with a headset. Wally world and dean foods comes to mind. I meet my friend on the road and we wave..he cant call..rules no phone and a driver facing camera. Dean Food. I know sometimes owner op is a expensive "hobby". But i will stick with it now. Owner op since 1979 if health holds out to 2022.

 

I didn't mind being a dedicated company guy for a few years but when the economy went belly up on 08 I knew I had to write my own ticket. I think if the money was the same I would still own my own equipment even with all the added responsibilities I love the freedom