first year

50%? It's that bad huh? And what did you mean by "Once a trucker always a trucker" part?

 

You'll have good days and not so good days. Just like any job. When I first went out with my trainer I thought WTF have I gotten myself into now ? But at that point I said well Ive come this far can't quit now. First year is no picnic but you can do it. Best of Luck

 

Agreed.

 

Great idea. Never O-O until you work as a company driver first.

 

Set your expectations to what's average in the industry for your level of experience. Let's say .......40 cpm at 2300 to 2500 miles per week. Keep your expectations low, so there's less disappointment, and more pleasant surprises. Figure out that math first. Now, if you're going to make more, you'll have to keep your head down, run the miles, and do what's asked of you, you'll pretty much control your own destiny. Trucking is, has been, and always will be, about what you put into it. Other drivers can tell you how a company is, but you gotta figure out how to become an asset to whomever you work for. There's no such thing as a bad company to good driver.

 

That's what I read and a slew of sites that bolster that fact. Turnover in the industry is even more disturbing, with a staggering 91% turnover in 2019 although that number is disputed, but realistically what is going on. I say, and just about everyone here will agree, "once a trucker" means, after trucking, not much else will appeal to you.

 

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Becoming an O/O requires MONEY; the more the better. Not only do you need a SUBSTANTIAL downpayment, but you also need money in the bank to get over rough patches, like economic downturns and major engine repairs. Leasing a truck is NOT owning, and it's about 90% certain in this business if you are a leaser, you will NEVER actually own that truck. Only an absolute FOOL falls for a company "lease-to-own" scheme.

So, you'll need a decent truck, good for quite a few more years, and nowhere near ready for an overhaul. Maybe $75k? To which, you need to put down at least 1/3 downpayment to still have any equity in that truck with the loan for the rest, and that's not including a trailer. Once you have about $50k in the bank, then is the time to start considering becoming an OWNER-operator (as opposed to a lease-operator dupe).