O/O vs Company driver, which to choose? New CDL holder

Well at least you made it worth your while threatening a politician,lol.Reason I called you picky is because you said you've been searcing companies for awhile.But this was before I knew about the polician.Well none the less,a crappy company is better then no company if you want to get the exp.Ever hear the phrase,beggers can't be choosers.Most of us started with a bad company,mine was Werner.But we all have to start somewhere.So if this is truly what you wanna do then pick a company and do it.You say you meet most the companies requirements,so then what's the problem?

 

Why don't you post or see if a mod can move this thread in the owner operators forum.You might get more o/o to tell you the ins and outs of becoming an o/o.

 

I am behind a Wal Mart right now as we speak..I am here for 17 hours because of the OVER REGULATIONS,HOS RULES and the B/S we put up with...

Do me a favor..Get in your car and go sit in it behind a Wal Mart for 17 hours..Tell me how you like it when you are all done...Remember,you can only leave for 1 hour and you must be back in that spot or i will VIOLATE YOU...Go give it a try..Put your coleman cooler in the back seat and get a pillow and a blanket..This will be your test about wanting to be a SUPER TRUCKER...

Then you will get an idea about trucking...Then come talk to us and report back here and let us no how you liked it....

 

Can't believe this thread has legs.

 

Of course you should start out as an O/O. Just like the Trans Am kid that walked up to me at the BBQ joint across from Love's in Polk City 2 days ago. He had 1 question and 1 question only for me. How bad Is Truck Abandonment? He took the Lease scam Hook, Line and Sinker. By the way, that's some mighty fine BBQ.

 

Here's some facts on insurance since you will need it if you buy a truck.......With over 17 years of experience I have been planning for months of someday getting my own authority. With all this experience insurance companies still consider me a "new venture" which it is right? Most rates are around 10 to 13 thousand per year. That's with a clean MVR and no criminal history. For someone with no experience, and a criminal history you might find one or two companies that will insure you for a price and I'm sure it will be considerably higher than what I was quoted at. Not sure what your driving record looks like.....(Maybe you stated it and I didn't read it.)

 

Ah heck, I'm taking a 10 at a Walmart right now. Just finished a gourmet salad and settling back to watch a movie. This "road life" is pretty good. No nagging significant other, no kids interrupting the movie, and a sanitized restroom is only 300 yards away.

Life is good.

 

I play guitar, bass, and drums, and I'm also writing all of it. Sure, I can't bring my drums into the sleeper cab of a truck, but I can bring my laptop with drum software to write drums and play/record guitar and along with it. Sure, I'd hate to sit in my car behind Wal-Mart for that long..... It's a Ford Fiesta. I can barely fit my musical instruments in it. But in a truck? No problem!

 

Dang.... that would be popular in a truck stop, having a guy playing drums in the truck next door...

 

As experienced truck drivers, over the years we have developed a quick way of sizing people up after just a quick conversation.Call it a sixth sense, whatever. Most of us do the same after reading what is written on these pages. We can kind of figure out the situation real quick, cutting through the BS the person gives us, and sensing their attitude. My reasonable assumption is you should go to work for a company first. Being an O/O , with very little knowledge of our industry, is not for you. It is not really for most drivers, even the most seasoned ones.
Listen to what you are being told, we are being truthful. If you do not want the answer, do not ask the question.