Going down a rabbit hole

Oh yah, there's a huge driver shortage in the long-haul sector, you're gonna love it! Great pay, plenty of parking, great trucks, even greater truckers, everything's just great. No unions, cause who needs them? The pay is fantastic and it's a really safe gig too, probably much safer than flying! I mean, only one engine and yer already on the ground. Come on over sir, there's plenty of truckin' to be done.

Edit: Bonus in-cab cameras to snap clips of you scratching your balls

 

I've owned or operated businesses in trucking, hospitality, construction, oilfield, financial services, aviation (current gig), I think that's it.

Anyhow, one unique thing about trucking is the willingness of its participants to work for nothing... or less.

Anywhere you lease on and they have company trucks; you're the bottom of the food chain.

Go to a truck stop and meet some company drivers, then ask yourself if you want that person to be in control of your asset 1,500 km away and you be fully liable.

IF you've got sufficient business acumen AND sufficient resources, could you successfully start a carrier? Sure. But one or two trucks with no experience? Take the same money to Vegas instead; the odds are more in your favour and you'll have better stories.

 

What else is there to say? You'd be as well off learning to be a day trader.
Your odds of having the money you started with a year from now, are just as good and you'll sleep at home every night.

 

I think the only segments of trucking in this country that you can actually earn a somewhat decent living would be something specialized. Something the average wheel holder refuses to do. Doesn't seem to be much money in general freight.

 

You can do fine in Canada with your own truck leased on to a carrier using their plates, insurance freight, etc.
I would not hire a driver or lease it to a trucker. Good ones are hard to find, bad ones will literally steal from you, they’ll use your fuel card to fill a buddies truck or sell it to a stranger for 50 cents a litre.
I’ve trucked all over North America and I find I’ve made my best money running regional, home every weekend and some times during the week. All though at times I do miss long haul to the southern states, especially when it’s under -30C here.

 

I'm not sure about in Canada... But here in the US the term Leasing On usually mean that you own the truck and YOU drive the truck, it just has someone else's numbers on the door. And for using thier numbers they keep a percentage. Its not like owning an equipment rental place and leasing a bulldozer to someone for 6 months, where the leasing company provides an operator. When you lease a truck on with a company, you generally have to provide a driver... Which is usually you, the owner.

 

As a guy who went from Oil and Gas Exec to zero due to Trudeau; then decided on trucking to “make it through” forget you ever heard of this industry, for real, don’t waste any shot you might have on this BS.

This industry is over, the big companies control everything, they don’t need you, your trucks, your trailers, nothing. All they need is more slaves, to drive their rolling sweatshops for free.

That’s it.

I’m 5 years in, have my own truck, contract to the biggest companies in Canada, and I’m losing my ####ing mind with how terrible it’s all is lol, AND I only have me, myself and I to deal with. Add some skid driver to the mix, who dumps your shiny new Kenworth and some companies trailer in the 15 min parking at DFW international airport, and flys home because he had a tantrum, yea.....

 

Slavery so bad, even the immigrants are having enough of it and leaving. Without exaggeration, statistically over half the immigrants go back home willingly. Especially now amidst the pandemic, many have left due to stronger family and community rooting which can help them survive. The kids at McDonalds are making more money then OTR truckers, and that's no over-estimation. Things are such a mess, I'm just watching the whole thing melt from the sidelines. I'm really curious how it will end, and it must end, but how, I don't know. I just know one thing, you don't want to be part of it when it does.

 

Unless you drive your truck you are not making money - and also consider if you don't have a Calss1 lic you will be paying your driver to take the truck in for maintenance etc...
Get your lic first and then maybe....