Is Hotshot still worth it in 2020?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by LimpyLegs, Jan 16, 2020.

  1. LimpyLegs

    LimpyLegs Medium Load Member

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    I was thinking of using my savings to go in business for myself and buy a pickup. Depending on the answers I get out of here I might rethink that and just go to school for coding. How has it been for hotshots these last few years? I've been stuck driving truck as a company driver the last 10 years
     
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  3. Doealex

    Doealex Medium Load Member

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    I would go for coding. But it has it’s issues too. Just like in most trucking you don’t get paid by the hour...
     
  4. ltlmore

    ltlmore Light Load Member

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    Maybe it's because the media keeps shoving it down our throats but I kind of have the feeling that we are close to another recession. I think around 2015 would have been a good time to start a Hot Shot business. I think the business kind of peaked around 2018. A new guy starting out now might not be able to weather a recession within his first year.
     
  5. Rusty Trombone

    Rusty Trombone Light Load Member

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    It’s not because the media keeps shoving it down our throats, it’s because it makes sense. We’re on an 11 year bull market. It’s going to happen sooner rather than later and it won’t be Trumps fault or if a Democrat wins in 2020 or any other bull #### that people like to point fingers at. The economy is cyclical. That’s it.
     
  6. rccarlson22

    rccarlson22 Medium Load Member

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    We’ll find out, don’t spend all your money on hookers and blow.
     
  7. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Unless you're getting a masters in computer science you're likely taking a pay cut over trucking. Code monkeys are underpaid and often times disposed of as soon as projects are finished. It's extremely easy, though unwise in the long term, to outsource to India code farms instead of paying even a liveable wage in the US. Learn to code is a meme that has helped further destroy the industry as far as I can tell. It's a nice skill to have, but hard to make a living with.
     
  8. Miroh

    Miroh Light Load Member

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    I've been rolling since March of last year. Ive been able to pay all of my bills and pay myself...very little lol. Here's to a new year with more experience and knowledge to be gained.
     
  9. Slay

    Slay Light Load Member

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    Right now I would say it is not a good time to start in this business. It appears that there is a lot of people working for gas money. I watched the load board today and watched a load less then 7500 pounds, 199 miles for $250 disappear as soon as it went up. That same load normally pays $400-$500.

    From the same broker $225 for 5000 pounds at 142 miles. And again it was gone in seconds.

    These rates are going to put the trucks out of business as that is not even a living wage.

    These people must wake up to the facts. You can not take loads for less then it costs to move them and stay in business.
     
  10. Mid-May Trucker

    Mid-May Trucker Road Train Member

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    If you buy everything in full you probably won't go bankrupt.
     
  11. Lite bug

    Lite bug Road Train Member

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    If I had carried the load from the same broker before, I would call him and say the last time you had the rate at X and he probably would say ok, book it. If I don’t call I will never know.
     
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