O/O local/regional

Yep, and if your going to run cans, buy a heavy duty type truck (T800/Western Star SD/Mack/FLD) daycab. These lines of work will put a lot of wear and tear on a truck in a hurry. Make sure the truck is built for it. I see too many guys driving OTR trucks (Volvo/Columbia/T600) pulling containers that have parts flying off. Next time u see a container puller broke down on the side of the road, look at the type of truck they are driving. Any truck can do the job, but you'll want one that's MADE for the job in my opinion.

 

I think it's more of the junky rail lots filled with potholes that wear the truck more than the highway. I have to replace my bumper brackets on the sides twice a year. They snap rite off

 

Well intermodal in Georgia USED to be really good before everyone and there 3 kids got into it now I can't make money like I want to..

 

Not a chance....I hope i do not hurt your feelings,this is not my intention.

I did the Container Port thing in Jersey City and Staten Island many years ago.I would not let my dog be treated the way the Long Shoreman treat O/O's.The equipment was very unsafe and sucked.The pay was not good.The lines were a mile long.Hometime was not Hometime.It was maybe 3-4 hours a night.Many nights i slept in the truck because going home and then coming back would turn my so called ''hometime'' into 3 hours..D.O.T. was all over us and we kept getting tickets for there crappy equipment.I had to pull very very heavy loads over the 80,000lb mark..IMO it just SUCKED and i would never ever go back to that crap...

Stop this ''fantasy'' with being an O/O.It is tough on the family and the kids.You have to be at this 24/7.If you are not driving the truck,you are fixing the truck.It is a far cry from 9-5.Even pulling containers.For me it has always been a 100 hour week with all the responsibilities,having a business.Do not forget to add in ''health care'' for the family unless the wife has it.That always helps alot.Do not forget about the 1,500-1,700 you can make weekly and then lose it all because it goes back into the ''business''.At times i lose a whole month with all the added expense.Being an O/O is no ''get rich scheme''.It is a long day,no matter how you do it.EVEN LOCAL RUNS!!!!!!


I am on with Landstar and this is no picnic.I grossed out at 155,000 this past year and i just finished up on my year end.Granted i only worked about 8 months.Out of all this my ''net'' was 49,000 bucs.That's it man.Out of that figure i have to pay ''income taxes''..Everything i do tax wise is done 100% legal.I pay everything the Government wants me to pay.So you see there is not alot of ''big money'' in this whole O/O stuff.It gets worse every year.I made a killing back in the 80's being an O/O.Things were different and not every tom,dick and harry were shaking you down for more money.

If i was married,young and had kids i would put my big boy panties on and suck it up and stay Local LTL.To me that is doing it for the family and sacrifice.I would be a good husband a good daddy and be with the family every single night and enjoy my young family.I would enjoy raising my kid and being there for him/her everyday of there young life.Again this is just my opinion..I have alot of ''regrets'' being an O/O and a trucker that was not there.I was MIA for so much in my life.My truck was my wife and it stole alot.Now i am a washed up old man and i see life so different and i CAN'T GO BACK.I only wish i could.

Whatever you do,think long and hard about this.It is not getting any easier out there.I may be parking my truck and running for an LTL Outfit myself.They called me last week for an interview.It sounds good.1,500 week M-F 10-11 hours a day.Drop and hook on both ends then go home and weekends off..Not to mention the pension,retirement,health is 20.00 a week...Good stuff working LTL...Best of luck young man....

 

How is the container business in SC, NC, GA, and AL?? And what are some good container companies to look into??

 

You sure can make a decent living and be home everyday. I'm with landstar and im home almost everyday and i live very comfortably. I do or will go out for a few days or a week if the load pays well enough, last week i was out 6 days and made a killing running the mid west. But to answer your question you can make decent money and be home everyday or almost everyday. It also depends were you live and how well the freight moves in your area.

 

Well I stay in the Carolina's is there good freight in my area??

 

Look into First Coast intermodal..