Need Advice From Owner Operators Please

Hi Owner Operators:

First and foremost, thank you for your service. I am new to the forum. My significant other is a regional truck driver, specifically an O/O. He is home each night. We do NOT live together. My career is in a totally separate field (corporate) so I'll admit that I don't understand everything.

1. Other than being you're own boss, what are the pros (and cons) of being an O/O? I want to be supportive, however, I don't really understand the benefits (pros). He has a truck payment, fuel expenses and the like. I know that he hated being a company driver, but being a O/O seems to come with significant risks. Can you all please help me to understand more about what he does and endures each day. He told me he has good days and bad days, so I want to be supportive.

2. Can the O/O's please tell me the level of difficulty in maintaining relationships. Admittedly, I enjoyed when he was a company driver (although he didn't) because he seemingly had more time and provided me with more attention. We would talk for several hours a day and into the night. We would see each more often. Right now, I believe he is working about 70 hours per week. I try to be supportive in understanding that he needs time to sleep and needs to be well rested too. I miss him tremendously. Sometimes, I see his lack of time making me resentful because I want attention too. But, I try not to make it about me and take it personally understanding that he's probably under a lot of stress.

We haven't been in a relationship long (a few months) and I am trying my best to understand this industry as well as understanding what he endures on a regular as well. With our schedules being right, as I work as much as he does in my respective field, I want to be as realistic as possible.

Any insight you can provide me to both of these questions would be helpful and appreciated.

 

Also, I've done some research on this, but needed real advice from those who do this everyday. Thanks!

 

Thank you for your replies. @crxdc I didn't take your post as rude. I should have clarified that I work in a very demanding position in corporate. I am often working as many hours as he is. My schedule has changed a lot as well where my availability is limited during the day. I can easily work anywhere from 8-10 hours on a good day to maybe 14-15 hours a day. Because we don't live together, there is the strain of finding the quality time. We do talk though but not as much as we did when he was a company driver and when my demands weren't as high.

@Ridgeline what I also failed to mention was this is his second time at trying to be an 0/0 the first one he was unsuccessful due to several issues including not being able to operate and maintenance. He almost lost everything. So I know that this time he is probably putting more into the business to be successful. I've asked him things and he's told me but as far as financials I haven't asked. I figure he has been stressed out. He does try to make time for me but sometimes I feel that although he is trying, he isn't trying hard enough (maybe that's selfish) but he's been doing the O/O this time for about a month and a half.

@Sharky88 I agree with you. I think communication may be the issue. Even though he's a great guy, I have thought of just ending things due to the time constraints. If you look at the previous replies to the other members, he is just starting out again. He was unsuccessful when he came out as an O/O for a while and drove a company truck. I just need to figure out how to be supportive. Despite my schedule, I am willing to help him with administrative things or whatever I can. We both want the relationship, but the time constraints on the both ends makes it difficult.

Thanks so much!