Future O/O, Here's my plan to get there. Opinions and suggestions welcome. Thanks.

So my time as active duty air force is coming to a close. I will going into the reserves in August. The rough plan is to start a CDl class at at tech college in May or June whle on terminal leave, basically still getting paid full time from Air Force. The course is 6 weeks with doubles/tripples, tanker and hazmat. My plan or direction I want to go, once graduate CDL school, is listed out below. Please feel free to make suggestions.

1 .Get a job localy with oil company. Several opening from what I've seen. I hear avg is about $1,500 a week, just what I hear.

2. Figure out a rough estimate of cost for being an O/O. Not sure what type truck I want yet, I know I want tanker. But not sure if I want to go tractor trailer route, or (and I don't know the correct term so please forgive me) a solid truck (like a box truck but with tank instead of box). I'm also not sure if I want to go OTR with this, or do more local/regional work. Leaning towards local/regional work. I know my expenses will be determined by which path I take. So I might make a plan for both. My other thought would be to run a wrecker/tow truck, I figure they are always in need. Again I know this reguires a different O/O cost plan.

3. After a couple months I plan on taking my average pay and trying to treat my pay as if I was an O/O. What I mean by this is open a checking account and taking the money out of my check that I would be spending or at least a good portion of what I would be spending, if I was an owner operator. I wasn't really sure how to explain this so if it doesnt' make sense I'll try to explain it another way.

4. I plan on doing this for a few years to gain expierence and while my girls are in school or all my bills (including house) are paid off.

5. I also plan on taking all my military drill pay and putting that into a " truck fund" account.

6. I am also continuing to work on my bachelors degree in business/accounting. I already have a Associates in Transporation (from 12 years military expierence). With this I am hoping to be able to run all my own books, and to help others do their's as a way to give back to the trucking community.


This is just a rough guidline I'm a hoping to follow. Things will change from now to then. But I am just tryign to figure out if you all think I am on the right track.

 

Thanks everyone for the info.

windsmith- I thought the same thing, but apparently here in TX, some companies are hurting for drivers and taking right out of CDl school

bad-luck- Thanks for the support.

Lone Ranger 13- I am defiantly in no hurry that is for sure.

I defiantly want to company drive first. There is lots of info yet to learn. I thought of calling my uncle who runs a trucking company out of Sheriville IN, but we aren't exactly on speaking terms last time I checked.