Looking for advice for first year plan

Hi Everyone!

First post and very new here. I recently passed my CDL-A permit and all endorsements (airbrakes, combination, triples, tanker, passenger, hazmat). Passed my medical and going for my permit card in a day or two. I haven’t done the hazmat fingerprinting because I would like to move forward with my license and will negotiate having a future employer pay those costs. I would like some guidance on moving through to O/O within a year or two. Here’s my perceived plan as someone without any industry experience and fronting all my costs out of pocket ( I’m comfortably off, but do not have a large amount of free-flowing liquid cash and am VERY debt averse). I intend to run flatbed/heavy haul as that is the most physically demanding career in trucking:

(1) Get my license - I’m going to purchase a 5 lesson hours at a local driving school. Costs will be $650.00 with DMV Testing fees and truck for exam. Beyond the classes, I am memorizing pre-trip inspections and video after video of backing and parking; (2) Sign on to a flatbed company within the New York Region that will provide good percentages as a company driver with training - I’m open to running team for 1 year’s time if necessary, so long as I can net at least $700 per week; (3) buy my own tractor and look for better percentages within the industry.

When it comes to purchasing my own tractor, I prefer to pay cash. I am not interested in a lease and less interested in financing. I really do need some guidance for what to save for and buy. I have the following criteria in my mind to allow for the most flexible load hauling ability:

1. Kenworth T880 / Freighliner 122SD / Volvo VNX
2. At lease 54in sleeper
3. At least 500hp (not ISX) with 4.- Something axel
4. 18-speed or ultra-shift
5. Lifting, steerable, power third axel (at least 40K)
6. At Lease 16k steers and 46K drives (at least 8x4 and prefer 8x6)
7. 2009 or newer and @ $20K - 40K
8. At least 7mpg (I never speed or drive aggressively)

I would like the option to work in Canada or ship the truck to Europe for some work in the Balkans. Am I on a decent track and realistic outlook?


Edit: Something along the lines of the following tractor, used, where I could lift the third axle up: http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trucks/for-sale/6171857/2016-volvo-vnx64t630

 

Thanks Razor. I understand what you mean. Life's taught me to have a long term plan, be flexible within it, but set a clear path to follow. I've set out to make a career and life change. Since I'm personally involved in the choice, I like to get outside perspective.

I don't want confidence to breed blindness.

 

Okay, so what's wrong with the setup?

 

Thanks guys. The Europe thing is admirably lie in the sky, just have family there.

The particular tractor I linked is beyond my price range. I linked it for the specs. I'm not looking to jump into getting my one right away. I know that would be a mistake and I need to put at least a year's worth of driving and learning (never stop learning) I just wanted to know if the plan/spec I'm looking at would work for flatbed to (eventual) heavy haul.

I understand that this industry has a high turnover but from my perspective, I'm hungry and dedicated to stick through, do the work, gain the knowledge and move onward. I don't want to keep my foresight restricted to just the first year. I appreciate your insights and experience.