owner operator?

Ok, I have seen all of the threads not to lease from the company you are driving for if you want a paycheck, but how many of you are in a winning situation? Do you lease your truck? How much better are you doing rather than being a company driver? The only reason I ask is that there are still owners leasing, so their has to be some kind of upside?Also, how does it work? Company gets you a load, what percentage of the run do you make? I have seen ads that you won't pay more than $1.40 gallon, or something like that.
Thanks