Good or Bad Idea? Jumping into O/O program at school

none......

I avoided the mega-carriers like the plague.

 

Ya I think the O/O study program at the schools is just to give you a little heads up like the other poster said. Folks, its not just holding a wheel and driving from point a to point b! There is a hell of a lot more to it! Otherwise every trucker out there would own there own truck! Why doesn't everyone build their own house? Its just swinging a hammer right? Would save you lots of money right?

Besides knowing how to drive and by driving, I mean refined driving so that you aren't burning unnecessary fuel, wearing tires, brakes etc... You also have to know the mechanical side of things so that you don't have to pay someone every time you need air in your tires! You also need to have the freight knowledge along with a good background of how brokerage works so you don't get ripped off there. A lot of making money out there is strategy so that you can optimize your time and make the most of your runs. You need to know where to go and how to set yourself up for this. On top of all this you need to have a good business background. Being an owner operator, on top of driving, is owning your business. You need to know how to run and own a business. Do you have your own business now? May want to take a few crash courses! Can you write your own business plan? Every successful business starts first with a business plan and also an exit strategy. So now that you have met all these requirements do you have $75,000 in the bank? You are going to need at least a good down payment for your rig and then you need AT THE VERY LEAST a good $25,000-$35,000 in the bank for fuel, maintenance, breakdowns, insurance, permits etc...

Sorry, answered my own question! I guess this is why every driver isn't an owner operator! Hell, most of the drivers out there can't live week to week without an advance from their company!

Did they cover any of this in school or am I that far off base?

 

Technically, you could go owner-operator from the minute you have your CDL. It's just not a realistic or a practical thing to do.

 

Let me give you different advice. First go to OOIDA. Join for $25. Then take the classes they offer on how to be an owner operator. That is all you need to do.

Then go out and buy you a brand new Volvo VNL 780. Put a tripac APU in it. Also make sure to get the super singles. I would then get a Satellite system put in so you can watch direct tv and use the internet while park. Oh, I forgot about the flat screen. Get the biggest on the will fit.

Don't forget the trailer. Doesn't matter which one or type as long as it is new. Your cost should be about 195000 for this. Drive it for about 2 weeks and figure out you hate it. Then sale it. I would be a buyer at $80,000.

I think we all had the dream but all the hard work is more a nightmare.

 

Great advice, I just bought my first truck on Ebay. 45% interest sound good? It didnt come with a flat screen so he had it installed for 5,000. not to worry its on the same loan as the truck..

 

you can do anything you want on your down time... may have to take a cab or ride the bus but go enjoy it

 

I would rather learn to be an O/O from other O/Os, rather than a school course. That course may be able to teach some basics, but the nuts and bolts are better learned on the street. Good luck to you....make the good choices.

 

Wouldn't it be very difficult to get insurance on a truck, if you have virtually zero truck driving experiance?