Benefits of being an O/O at a company VS completely freebird?

All companies that I checked before deciding on my own numbers would not pay more than 1.5 per mile with F.S, included already (base pay was like1.10 - 1.15). Then it is all forced dispatch...maybe with a pool a few loads at best,you can decline the load but everyone knows that this is the first step toward animosities. Not everyone would pay for plates or bobtail insurance, I'd say in most cases it is on you. They will pay for tolls and give you the discount fuel card. I'd say it is slightly better than being a company driver due to the fact of having the owner/op status and that they cannot be f...with you. On a financial side it is only doable when you can ensure keeping your maintenance costs down .

Money wise, own authority is also overrated, can be very frustrating when you rely on random brokers only aka loadboards. There happen to be bonanza moments every now and then but they don't last too long.
Paperwork burden is overrated too and in itself should not be the reason for giving up on own authority.

Own authority is good when you have an expansion plan or you are good with establishing good relations with a limited pool of brokers with whom you will work loyally. Of course, finding own customers is the best thing in the World. It is also good when someone is a hard arse and does not like having bosses. I value independence and making my own decisions.. I like to have my own name on a door too and it may be vain but I don't care.
There is an interim option called Landstar but still you need to establish handshakes with honorable agents and it is similar to having your own numbers without most of that dreaded paperwork.

 

You know something. I had to figure this part out on my own. Back in ‘05-‘06 i wanted to buy a truck...i talked to every o/o that would entertain me. After listening to their numbers (most always gross) and studying long & hard i shelved the idea for a solid decade. Back then i realized that as an o/o i would maybe make another $10k a year. I couldn’t justify the risk involved for that. I stayed a company man.

I finally had enough of being a peon, was sick of being told to... So i dusted off the old note book & ended up buying 2 trucks. One for cash and finally the ‘06 that i work everyday.

OP. The biggest diference is that when leased on you get paid even if the carrier doesn’t. No chasing down that dollar...your Boss Man ahhhhhhh Business Compadre does that for you. Also you don’t have to foot the bill for workmans comp & healthcare on the office girls

 

Stability when spot markets drop. The Mega carriers arent going out of business you can hang on their shirt tales till economy picks up . Then go back after markets stabilize. Its business do what you gotta do to stay in the game. Loyalty means nothing in trucking its about survival

 

I would think the biggest factor would be the money.

Being paid immediately and letting the office worry about collecting vs. having to wait for them checks to roll in. Which can be upwards of 90 days.

And if you work for the right companies. The rates are higher then $1+ per mile. But there aren't that many of those.

 

That's why I do factoring... yea it's a 3% fee but hey I get paid next day... I'd rather get paid next day than wait 90 days and have to listen to "we cant find that load" or bunch of BS

 

But what happens when broker fails to pay?

 

He goes out of business. Any legit broker will pay. Crooked ones will have their ### sued off by someone with enough money to take their birthday away.

 

Wrong answer. Try again