Being an O/O under a Carrier's Authority

This month could be the best yet. I might hit 14k miles for the month this time. I've never gone that high before. Not bad for driving like an old man.

 

Decided to check tread depth again today. The supers are getting 14k per 32nd and the steers are getting 24k per 32nd. I was surprised by the steers. I checked and rechecked all over the tires and got the same result. I got them on July 31 last year and have only used 4/32. They are a 16 ply as opposed to the usual 14 ply allowing me to run a lower pressure to carry the same weight and I have Centramatics on the axle as well. The supers have a small amount of shoulder wear but it's very slight. I have been very pleased with them.

 

Got the short end of the stick this time. They put me on this broker load going to Pryor, OK. Went over my log by a few minutes just getting there, hurry up and get in the door, and I notice this delivers next day by 1300. No way that's happening. Called the place the next day and they aren't open weekends. So I just hang out until Monday. I have a lot to do when I go in this time so I knocked out the truck stuff in Joplin to save me time later. Brake pedal works again, grease job, and APU service. Needed a new coolant hose and fuel line on it. I think every time I service the thing it needs a part somewhere. It's a 2006 APU so age is the main factor there.

Being an O/O is real pain sometimes but I don't regret it. I saw a post somewhere that said when you finally go independent, 90% of the stupid is eliminated from the job, and that's pretty true. Still tedious but I get to call the shots and by doing so I can eliminate a lot of stress, especially in regards to maintenance.

The primary reason for this time off is putting some pieces together and see if going all in with my own authority is going to happen or not. I got everything I need and just have to fill out a lot of paper. I'm also getting a place so I can claim per diem again. I currently don't have a tax home and to get a cheap place saves me more money than it costs in rent, considerably more. Lots to do.

 

Most of what I needed to do is done. I still have some forms to fill out and email back to people. I went and got my tanker endorsement as well so I can haul some of the bulk liquids, syrups, and flavorings I have been seeing on the load board. By the time I am back in town about 5 - 6 weeks from now I'll be driving to pickup my trailer that I'm getting financed by the same bank I used for the truck, picking up some required materials at mail box, putting some letters on the truck, and hitting the road on my own. A friend of mine is starting up with five trucks of his own and he will have some really good paying stuff out of this area and after that it is up to me to work back. I've been doing really well as a leased owner operator and I feel pretty confident I have the funds available to make this work.

I'll be in my truck about another 6 months, and it will have a little over 700k on it by then, at which point I'll be getting a new one. The trailer is a 2011 Utility with a Carrier 2500 w/9600 hrs, singles, disc brakes, skirts, trailer tail, and is in really good condition, it was a trade from a fleet in this area and I know first hand their maintenance program is really good. I've had the authority for a couple of months or so and have been researching all this a lot. I'll be joining NASTC and running their fuel card. I've got the apartment in the works too so I can establish a tax home. Neat little place, cheap rent, in a good location for me. I'm going to be burning up my email account and phone the next few weeks putting all this together.

 

Finally got around to updating my spreadsheet. I was hoping to hit 14k miles for the month as a personal record; I got close with 13914 miles. Revenue was 20,088 or about 1.44 a mile on all miles. I usually end up between 1.42-1.45. I had little maintenance for the month involving an APU service so I was able to pump up the bank account pretty good. I'm hoping this month is similar. Make the most I can before pursuing my own numbers. I am on track that once I get back my trailer deposit at the dealer once it's purchased and my escrow from these guys I'll have about 75k in the business account to get started with.

 

The AC compressor went out today. Luckily it's not locked up and can still drive it. Going by Peterbilt in WI on Monday to get it fixed. Depends on all the components downstream how expensive this is going to be. This truck is out to get me, I swear.