Is the owner-operator a dying breed?

People have always been "pushed" out. They can't learn to adapt and life passes them by. We live in tough times, really? You can find equipment financing for under 10% these days. In 1979, you were lucky to find the same financing for under 21%.
Remember, Bill Gates started Microsoft during a recession and many of today's Fortune 500 companies started during the Great Depression. Conditions are only as bad as you want to believe them to be.

 

The HOS today and even with a change in the 34 rule is still better than 10 and 8 rule and that also required a 30 minute rest before 6 hours .......if my memory serves me correctly......We adjusted to that and it turned out fine...the talking heads and the dooms dayers where wrong on that one.
As of today I do not see where the regulations in place have incumbered my abilty to run as an independent contract carrier. 20 years now. MC262265. any more than 20 years ago. In fact the IFTA program relieved us business owners of many hours of doing a seperate form for almost every state!! The DMV burden on proof of a medical form via fax? SSR, been around fo ever. FHUT always had to
show proof of payment for tag renewal? I have pre pass no scales. I will not buy anything built after 2002. It is cheeper to recondition good used equipment to a fuel saving unit than buying one. The future is bright for owners who plan, educate, and know their numbers, and do the hard work to make them better. Not drive more but educate and plan more. I drive a business with a truck. I work for people who pay within 30 days and if I need to finance it we factor it in to the rates. You see as an O/O you. The. Freedom to say. The only problem I have are the ones I cant do anyting about.......therefore I do not have any. Your above post had all solvable problems....the rest....speculation...if that bridge comes our education and planing will get us across as it always has.

 

Autocar and I are from a genertation that never quit. We solve proffit and move on!

 

If they adopt the carb regs nationwide ( a long shot) your 20 year old truck business model will take a hit. Look what's going on in Cali now.....

 

That is a bridge I we will burn, when we come to it!

 

Ditto. My next unit will be a mid 90's areo style flat top maybe a 377

 

The piers of Ca and Wa are a non issue, Same as the state of ca.

 

You know, I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU MARGINALIZING THOSE OF US WHO ARE BEGINNING OUR CAREER/BUSINESS AS LEASE OPERATORS. We are business owners just like you. We pay our taxes, Just like you. This closed minded BS attitude is just the kind of attitude that is destructive to our industry.

Everyone will find their place in the industry, or leave for other jobs. No shame in it. Some people have zero business sense, some don't have the self drive necessary, and some just can't manage themselves let alone a business. Those people need a company to drive for. Some people have started in this industry as a second career and use their nest egg to start out with a truck or financing. Others start as company drivers then make the leap. I am one of those that are starting at the lease and moving on from there.

Who the hell are you (or anyone) to tell the rest of us what is considered acceptable and what is non considered acceptable as a way to start out or to build a business as an O/O. I come from the community that helps EVERYONE that wants to try, not just those that are doing it "my way".....

 

Chill out and don't worry about someone else's definitions of O/O. I have been an O/O most of my carreer, sometimes leased to a Carrier and for awhile as an Independent Motor Carrier, with ICC Authority numbers, lower than EPM's. The only difference, is how much responsibility one is willing to take on, personally. That's all.

 

I was leased for 10 years. More than one truck a couple times. It was not in anyway intended as an insult to lease operators, because like ypu, we know they have the chance do as well and better than a contract independent as im sure they do. I myself wonder if I could have done better that route as you may think of getting you own authority. An appologize if you feel insulted, it was not the intent of my post to try to sway a decision or disparage in way shape or form