Andrew's Trucking Journey Continues

Yep. And don't forget the Tommy's Burger across the street.

 

I think that's good advice and I'll look to heed it. I'm with a mega, and I like many things about it, the network, the off time I have, the resources they give drivers, BUT...the pay is so ho-hum, imo. I'm an O/O, and I like to work about x3wks out, full-on and hard, then take equal time off. They have some of the best insurance/permit/plate rates, so it doesn't kill me to have such long-time off, BUT, and again, the pay. I'm struggling to make $2,500 net, after fuel/permits/ins/plates. That may seem "OK", until you have drive-tires to replace, and other fixer-uppers to attend. Right now, I'm pulling a $1.50 load, 19klbs, from Laredo, TX to Burlington, NJ....the total pay is $3,100, at 1,995 miles. I've been getting cheaper priced fuel, but ####, that seems too low to me.

I think one need to average over $2.50 mie, as an O/O, to really feel like you're making decent money. I haven't been able to peruse other load boards, besides my Co.'s load board, but some of the other free ones, like Trucker's Path, they are showing long-long haul runs (my favorite way to truck, coast-ot-coast) paying much better, but then again, you are totally on-your-own, no O/C's, no free truck wash, no strategic places to park, no discounted Pilot fuel, no free showers, to maintenance facilities, etc. etc.

Any ideas if one is better with a mega as an O/O, with all the infrastructure they offer, and the low insurance/permits/plate rates, vs totally going-it-your-own, and making more $$$ per mile?

 

Tks for the reply. I will still research, and try and talk/w others. I have an option to try another company that only has O/O operations, and they pay 80% compared to my Co.'s 70%, BUT, they have zero infrastructure, as far as facilities. They have office support, but that's it. One is totally on his/her own...and I had a friend at the same mega-carrier who started working for this O/O-only company, and he really liked it. So, I guess, as you say, it depends on the person and "what works for them". I really need to look at other load boards, bc if I knew how much more money I could make outside of working for a mega-carrier, then I could judge whether it would be worth-it to NOT have all the perks, and support a Mega offers.

GLTY and GLTUA!

 

@filltheneed you might check out trc the company that is advertised on bonehead truckers youtube videos. Not sure if they would work out for you or not