A look back at my short journey

6/29/2022 Joined TR. First post asking about getting CDL and becoming O/O. Many thanks to everyone that offered words of encouragement. Even more thanks to everyone that tried to discourage me. You were my motivation!
7/15/2022 After discussions with several companies it became clear that I couldn't be a company driver and keep my flying job 3 months/year. I couldn't lease on without 6 months as a company driver. Decided I needed to buy a truck and get my own numbers.
8/2/2022 Wired money for my new to me truck (2016 579 with a new Cummins (2yr/200k warranty), new 13 speed, clutch, pressure plate, disks and pads and 10 virgin tires. Applied for my authority.
8/10/2022 Bound and paid for my insurance (Authority pending and no CDL yet). At this point I'm flying out of state so I cant get my CDL. Truck is delivered to Peterbilt dealer in fort Worth.
8/19/2022 Authority goes active and I onboard with about a half dozen brokers/carriers.
8/30/2022 Make it back to Texas
8/31/2022 Purchase 2016 Great Dane combo. Goes to shop for complete rebuild.
9/01/2022 Take the 4 written tests and get my CLP. Start practicing in my truck. Never driven with multiple ranges and splits. Within 30 minutes not embarrassing anymore. After a few hours I don't have to think about what gear I'm in.
9/15/2022 First day I'm eligible (14 day wait) I take and pass my driving test. I have my CDL.

My trailer is finished and I will pick it up Monday morning, I'm still waiting on my IFTA so I can run TX, LA and AR without buying fuel permits. My plan is to start out with light in-state loads. Going to take it slow and steady. I bought a set of 4' drop tarps but my goal is to sell them NIB when I retire. If it needs more tarp I'm not your guy.
Obviously there were dozens of steps that I didn't mention. BOC,UCR, 2290, IRP, IFTA, drug testing and clearinghouse........but this was recap.

49 days from paying for the truck and applying for my authority until first load. Could of been faster but I was busy flying 10 hours a day.

 

Thank you!
$19,000 for the $1MM Auto and $250K Cargo.
$600 for $2MM/$1M General Liability.
Continuous auto insurance for 41 years without a ticket or accident. They said that's why its under $30k.
I was going to add a friend who was going to do loads when I was home. He has had a CDL for 7 years but has a hazmat equipment ticket from 2018. They wanted $9k more for him.