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Entering the Industry with a plan

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by deftone, Jun 15, 2016.

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  1. Jun 15, 2016 #1
    deftone

    deftone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 28, 2016
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    Hi All, Ive been a long time lurker on here and decided it was finally time to be part of the community.

    I have been working on my plan for entering the industry as a o/o, and a little unusually, I plan on attempting to go under my own authority right off the bat.

    A little about me - I am an Oil worker from Lafayette, LA who has been struggling through the downturn with a few layoffs. I dont yet have a CDL and the only school down here is around $6000, although they do have a weekend option that i will be using. I do already have a TWIC card.

    I am not the usual displaced oil worker looking to get into trucking. I have always planned to be an o/o, just later in life. I am from a trucker family with both my father and grandfather both being company drivers, my brother is also a diesel mechanic. At this point I just want to get away from being just another number at a company and start controlling my own destiny. I know most are going to shoot me down on here for trying to start my business with no direct experience, however I believe that being able to control the business side of things will keep my afloat while I get my driving and industry experience. I have a sound business plan and business knowledge (and an economics degree from Penn State)

    I would say that I am still probably 12-18months from putting my plan into action, I need to get my finances in order as my savings (and credit) took a hit from my time on the unemployment line, like most oil workers I got sucked into buying toys with big payments when the going was good. I am planning on clearing most, if not all of my dept plus building up a business fund.

    I have learned a lot on the forum, plus I enjoy listening to the various podcasts etc I have found online. I am bound to ask some stupid questions along the way, but they are in the spirit of learning so thank you in advance!
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2016
    deftone, Jun 15, 2016
    deftone, Jun 15, 2016
    #1
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  3. Jun 15, 2016 #2
    Junkyarddog5958

    Junkyarddog5958 Light Load Member

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    Nov 12, 2015
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    Sounds like you are headed into it with good head. I will say what most will say, be company driver first. Learn the in and outs there. If you do wrong there it isn't big deal (unless accident or something) but just starting it could end you before you start. Good luck. I came in and ran dads company (3 trucks) straight out the gate and did well til 1 truck rolled twice. That's all it took and was done. Point is it can be done with virgin trucking industry experience, just behind others in learning curve.
     
    Junkyarddog5958, Jun 15, 2016
    Junkyarddog5958, Jun 15, 2016
    #2
    GoldenLad Thanks this.
  4. Jun 15, 2016 #3
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    www.OOIDA.com is a business website for the owner-operator.
    Welcome to trucking; it's a great career as you already know.
     
    Chinatown, Jun 15, 2016
    Chinatown, Jun 15, 2016
    #3
    GoldenLad Thanks this.
  5. Jun 15, 2016 #4
    Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Merrimack, NH
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    I did it 10 years ago. No experience at all. Sat behind a desk all my life. Hired someone to help me pass my driving test with their truck. Went out and bought a truck, flatbed and a book on how to secure loads and was off. It's not rocket science.

    You may want to check on insurance. If you can get it and if you can afford it. Some people have been quoted as high as $18,000. Also find out how much up front.
     
    Skate-Board, Jun 15, 2016
    Skate-Board, Jun 15, 2016
    #4
  7. Jun 15, 2016 #5
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
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    6 thousand #### dollars for SCHOOL!?

    WHOA. That's too much. /rant
     
    x1Heavy, Jun 15, 2016
    x1Heavy, Jun 15, 2016
    #5
  8. Jun 15, 2016 #6
    strollinruss

    strollinruss Road Train Member

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    Jun 5, 2012
    Montgomery, TX
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    Just buy an old cheap truck and find some local farm work to start. There out to be plenty of it around there. Start hanging around your brother's shop and talking to local guys and get a feel for what they are doing around there.
     
    strollinruss, Jun 15, 2016
    strollinruss, Jun 15, 2016
    #6
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  9. Jun 15, 2016 #7
    nikmirbre

    nikmirbre Road Train Member

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    Jul 27, 2011
    High Point NC
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    Everyone has a plan until their punched in the mouth...


    -Mike Tyson
     
    nikmirbre, Jun 15, 2016
    nikmirbre, Jun 15, 2016
    #7
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  10. Jun 15, 2016 #8
    wise2727

    wise2727 Light Load Member

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    Sep 25, 2015
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    I have only been driving 5 mo the but am very thankful that I at least started company. My company paid for 3500 of my school. I would really encourage you to try company for 6 months before going oo. You will make a few bone head mistakes that will be the companies expense instead of your own. You will also learn first hand how expenses in certain areas are different. That information will save you a fortune when deciding what loads to take as an oo
     
    wise2727, Jun 15, 2016
    wise2727, Jun 15, 2016
    #8
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  11. Jun 15, 2016 #9
    deftone

    deftone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 28, 2016
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    I took my punch in the mouth with the downturn of the Oil business, and to be honest Im glad it happened when it did. It sure taught me a lesson on preparing for the future rather than just living for the moment!
     
    deftone, Jun 15, 2016
    deftone, Jun 15, 2016
    #9
    Junkyarddog5958 and nikmirbre Thank this.
  12. Jun 15, 2016 #10
    DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2015
    Detroit, MI
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    You might want to get your CDL now, just doing a permit on your own and passing a test with a rented truck. Many insurance companies won't take people with under 2 years experience, however they don't really verify the experience, they just look at the CDL issuing date
     
    DUNE-T, Jun 15, 2016
    DUNE-T, Jun 15, 2016
    #10
    deftone Thanks this.
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