BD69: The Owner Operator Chronicles

I had a great Christmas at home with friends and my kids. I hope all of y'all did also. I've been looking into a flatbed outfit in Montana that just has O/Os. One lesson I've learned is not to get into competition with company trucks. It doesn't matter how good or reliable you are, you'll get stuck with the heaviest, worst paying loads on the board. A buddy of mine from Gaines bought a truck about a year back and immediately leased on with them and is doing very well. The freight is averaging about $2.40 per mile, which is a bit under what I'm averaging, but he's out miling me up one side and down the other. Runs out of Western Montana, to Seattle and back down South. A lot of loads to Charleston, SC and Wilmington, NC...port to port kind of stuff and all the miles you want. He texted me photos of his last 6 months settlements and I have to say it made me sit up and take notice. Running across Homestake, Lookout and 4th of July passes this time of year ain't exactly my idea of a good time, but Spring will be here before you know it. Anyhow, I'm planning on whipping in to see the operation for myself when I get out there and get a little face time with a few of the people running the show. I'm a little bored running the same stuff across the same roads day after day, but its paying me very well so it'll have to be one hell of a deal to pry me up off my current gig.

More later...

 

I've spent big chunks of the last three winters running across those lanes and like I said, it ain't fun. I'm in no great rush to make a move, but it's something to look into.

 

Content, to me, has at least a five figure number attached to it. Good work, Scooter.

 

Anyone from the South will surely understand...

 

Thanks, Brother.

 

Left Mooresville this morning with my Montana load and aired it out like I remembered how. Ended the day 638 miles away in Ina, Illinois. Filled up to check my milage and was absolutely stunned to see I averaged 7.93 mpg on a day when i just romped on her for the sheer pleasure of it, pulling 47,900 lbs of steel. Only downside was every single scale house between there and here was wide open and I got invited in to all of them only to be bypassed without exception. Going to ram my foot in it tomorrow to see if I can cover the same amount of ground.

More later...