I'm kinda sad... is being an Owner Operator really that bad?

i remember when i bought my truck it was at a place up in macon ga.can't remember the name but they had pretty good deals.i bought a 98 freightliner low miles for 13k.put 5k down had payments of like 200 a week i believe.running loads out of jax port.running round trip loads to tampa and back.a few other places.my avg net per week was around 1700 to 2k depending.i got out back when the fuel was going crazy.

 

You mean pete or kw I would look into a T660 if you want a truck for MPG. Another thing stay away from the big companys, Go with a small company in ur area that pays %. Are o/o that run local are home everyday make a 1000-1200 a day and only spend 1000 a week in fuel, we transload frac-sand with hopper,dump,tanker trls and the longest run is 26 miles and are shortest is 8 miles x 10-12 loads per trk a day, this is a 24/7 gig all year long, we been doing it for 30 years. So if you can get on with something like that you will do very well. Just don't forget about ur taxes, set up an account just for that 25%-30% in that on every ck. I will be buying my first truck too in about month I should have all the money too pay cash no payments. Good luck

 

I'm a new lease op bought my truck march of las year I work harder then when I was a company driver and I would never go back access to more cash if needed and the sense of working for your self sure is nice

 

Nothing personal taken... When I was a company driver and was buying my 1st truck, some of my so called coworkers told me I couldn't do it because THEY couldn't... I guess I just have been too stupid or stubborn to fail.

If I can make it with absolutely no knowledge when I started out, then you can make it too. I don't know about anyone else here, but for me, my success did come with a price...

Good luck to you, hope you make it.

 

Shoot, I was a O/O from 1994 to 2003 and ended up losing the truck and going bankrupt after leasing with a company, Landstar, whose system I didn't understand.
Worked a few years as a Company driver and then bought another truck and have been a O/O for the last 4 years, and have done pretty well.

Like any other business you get into, you have your ups and downs, your good times and bad times and sometimes you make good decisions and sometimes you make bad decisions. If you learn from the bad times, you will soon find out that there are less bad times and you will be much happier.

 

Forced dispatch BLOWS. Try to find a company to lease on with that doesn't have that. Be responsible, work hard, and it'll pay off =)

 

Yip , i have found that most people that failed as a O/O are the ones saying bad things about it. I have lot's of friends that are O/O and they don't complain "they just get er done". Big things only happen to those that go after them.

 

Hi Everyone.
I just got my license after 8 tries so you know I am very dedicated about this. I have a problem I am with CREngland, I just off a what they call a Phase one program where I go OTR with someone who is a O/O and learn the business. I had a really a bad experience he threaten me, called me girl, that I could not handle being a truck driver, and ask me sexual question. So I am kind of leery about going out with a trainer again for Phase Two. I did learn several things though and that is how not to run your truck. He never trip plan, always drinking energy drinks, hardly ever sleeps, and when he does we are always late for delivery or get lost looking for the receiver. With that said I am smart enough to ask question from other driver which were more than happy to give me advice.
I was wondering my trainer did not let me backup so I am rusty and if I go out on my own I am afraid either not backing in tight spots. I would like your advice on should I go on the phase 2 till I feel comfortable on driving on my own or is there another way.
One last thing then I will let you guys go. With all the problems I had it never detour me from enjoying driving the rig. I love seeing the beautiful scenery that is this country has. I like talking to the drivers which I found were really friendly and willing to give advice. I did not know how hard it is being a trucker but I do like driving I got that from my dad who love to drive.
Sorry for the long question but I will take everyone advice to heart.
Mr. Bad Wrench

 

Eight tries? I'm hoping it wasn't eight times to pass the road test or knowledge tests.

Proceed with caution.

You should've reported him and/or asked to be off his truck. He's obviously not a trainer and was just looking at you as 'added revenue' for his truck. I can prove it with your next statement:

That's why he was a horrible trainer. You need to let CRE know that. He probably lied on your upgrade forms that he completed X number of hours with you backing when you're basically stating you didn't even get to do it at customers.

First, for backing. Take your time. Get out and look. Do not care what other drivers may think of you, say to you, etc. Third, if you can't see where the back of your trailer is, you need to get out and look if you're not 100% sure you know it won't hit anything. You're new. Anytime you angle hard, get out and check the angle. Make sure there's nothing in your pathway.

For CRE, there is no other way unless you're husband-wife. So, it's either leave CRE or stick around for Phase 2. Now, Phase 2 is going to be just as troublesome. You may wind up with a 'trainer' that has about three weeks more experience in a truck than you. The 'good' Phase 2 guys get booted into Phase 1 after a while, which shows you how far down the bottom of the barrel they're scraping to get the 'gem' that you had.

MBW, it will get better.

CRE is not Satan incarnate, but they're not Mary Poppins, either. Watch your money like a hawk. Stand up for yourself. If you're company, have mercy. If you go lease, only do it if you really understand the costs involved. They are extreme. You could be living off cash advances. And don't don't Don't DON'T train Phase 2 right off the bat because you're eying the revenue/profit aspect of it. That's the wrong reason to train and will only end in misfortune.

I was with CRE for almost five years and just got my own authority last month. Couldn't be happier to be out from under that 'company'.

Btw, any word on whether the student survived the bobtail rollover?

 

you wouldnt open a business without the capital behind it would you. yes today trucking has a higer overhead.. As O/O we are becoming a lost breed.. the sucess rate for new O/O's is xtremely low because they got into it with little or no money for back up... as with any business problems do arise out here and once a person gets in the hole with no reserve its almost like a death sentence... I would never deter a person from wanting to start a business i would just advise them to make sure they have what it takes to suceed...