Are we fixing to see a huge purge in trucking?

No that was back in the day.

Have to be realistic and think is it really worth it to continue in this market when there's company jobs paying $100k+?

To put with with all the hassle o/o should earn way way more than company driver in my opinion.

 

For oversize loads, that's about it.

 

Then there's this............
Maersk cutting 10,000 jobs in face of ‘worsening market conditions’ (yahoo.com)

 

To hear it told on here most o/o do and I don't believe it but that's the claim. Hardly any have health insurance never mind a retirement plan. That #### works great when you're young and all you might need is some antibiotics for a cold from the walk in clinic once in a while. Doesn't fly when something serious happens. I forgot what it is to worry about how am I gonna get anything worth a #### loaded on the truck this week?.. I laugh all the time at some of the #### company drivers whine about. A W2 job is the easiest piece of cake ever when you don't have real problems to deal with.

 

Most of the hassle of an o/o is self induced. Breakdowns, don’t own worn equipment. Either maintain it highly or keep running newer equipment. so many owner operators think they deserve more money because they provide equipment but may not be able to finish the job. if they’re going to provide labor and equipment to a carrier both should be top-notch. Otherwise they’re offering nothing. There are many company drivers that are more dependable when driving company equipment. Even if an owner operator has great equipment, an owner operator can only make as much as the o/o can be paid for. it’s a competitive market and you’re not just gonna pull dollars out of some magic hat. Rates are low, because carriers, drivers, o/o, -individually are not needed as much. Your services that you provide are just not in demand. You can argue about wanting six dollars a mile for 8 foot drop tarps but the truth is there is no load with the 8 foot drop tarp for you to haul. Open deck volume is low, compared to capacity. Statement is not limited to only open deck..

 

You busted onto the scene 3 years ago. At the height of corona. Asking noob questions like should I pick a step deck or a flatbed. Not even two months later you were going “back” to van. Then power only. Then van, then flat. Then your #### box truck blew up. And that’s when you start asking about company jobs. I personally think you are full of ####. All in a span of three years you have gone full circle.

 

Guess there’s still time to answer the question…

it’s not even like there only one right way to do things in this industry, there’s actually quite a few, the number of people still choosing the wrong way is still puzzling, though most of what I’ve done in life has been the hard way so who am I to judge

 

I've noticed dealership lots that were basically empty for the past few years are now near full with both new and used trucks. I've also noticed that auction yards that were primarily devoid of used trucks/trailers and farm tractors are now busting at the seams with them. There's a truck at a local dealership that i offered 10k under their asking price in January of last year that is still sitting there while they now have it listed for 15k less than i had offered... Just an observation.

 

I feel for the folks that paid 120k for a reefer! Or over 200k for a truck.

 

Oh it can happen. I’ve not only employed myself but also my wife. We have full health insurance and max out our retirement contributions, plus every year. Also the business is paying down commercial property.
I also live pretty frugal in an inexpensive community with very low AGI ( that’s how it’s done right?).
It’s all a mater of what your goals are? I’ve never seen a company that would be ok with me taking 6 weeks paid or more a year vacations?

Do I make as much AGI as I could or have in the past as a W2 slob? Nope… I’ve done double in the past what I claim now and was still broke….

It’s all a matter of how you play the game…

If anybody taught me that, it’s YOU!!!
Don’t forget the lessons you taught us in the past. Some of us were taking you seriously.