Plans detoured - new route? Any ideas and comments would be appreciated...

Hello all. My name is Bobby, I'm new to this site and wanted to ask a (silly??) question. I think I know some of the answers but really wanted to get some fresh ideas and comments.

Last year I got my CDL, was in the beginning stages of my training and boom! I became paralyzed on the right side of my body because of a brain tumor. Immediate surgery and a year later I'm getting that itch again and want to get back into long haul trucking. The problem is that I want/have to work for myself because of some minor health issues (nothing to do with become paralyzed again! ha-ha)(tumor went bye-bye), in other words I have to be able to take time off - maybe even extended time off (a month or so) because of these health issues. It's possible that I may be able to get into full time trucking one day, but right now I have to stay fairly small (loads and such) and want to work for myself. My idea is to purchase a heavy duty truck and pull a 20+ foot goose-neck type flat bed trailer and pull loads that I want (medium sized?) and loads that can be on my own schedule (edit - see comments below). Choosing loads based on my schedule.

My question is this, well a number of question actually....
1. Can I use a load board to find loads under 20,000 lbs?
2. Which load boards are good/decent/etc.
3. Can I make decent income to pay for gas, hotels and meals hauling loads that are 20,000 lbs or less? (I'm retired Army and get a regular pension, no family, etc. just a mortgage)
4. I understand this is not a "18 wheeler" or big rig hauling for walmart and the like, but I'm curious if this type of carrier service (20,000 lbs or less) has a certain name. Medium haul? LTL?
5. Who's a good insurance carrier for this type of service?
6. Would this type of service be considered the same as a owner operator with the same rules, requirements etc. Or better yet, to learn the business, would I learn the same rules, regulation, restrictions, etc. as a big rig owner operator? Silly question I think, but please comment.
7. Any comments on a good truck? year and model?

Well, that's all I can think of right off the top of whats left of my head ha-ha. Just looking for some guidance and a way to get into long haul trucking without having to work for some big company hauling heavy, heavy loads. Need to work on my own schedule and physical limits.
Thanks.

 

You would classify your area as HOTSHOT , same deal as with a big rig but smaller loads that need to get there ASAP.

I admire your determination but your part about " and loads that can be on my own schedule". is going to be dicey. Even if you get on with the outfits that do HOTSHOT loads , scheduling is important

 

Thanks for the comments.. and to be more specific about "my schedule" comment above. I completely understand loads have schedules and need to go from point A to point B at a certain times and schedules. I'm talking about my schedule in regards to accepting loads or not. If I needed to take time off, I obviously would not schedule a load or be in the middle of a load delivery. Much appreciated FB.

 

I was in the same boat as you, only my tumor was a pancreatic one that turned out to be benign when they cut all that stuff out of me ("whipple procedure"). I was limited early on to the tune of not actually knowing I was going to live for more than 6 months. I made it to 6 months, then 7, then 8, then a year finally. I got myself back to where I wanted to actually work. I couldn't do much physically by then, but I sure could sit and drive, since I had driven everything from beer trucks to hauling logs an heavy equipment. I don't have commitments in the form of a wife, or children, so I explored OTR. Flatbed was out, so was hauling logs of heavy equipment, and anything else that I had to sling chains on or crawl around like a spider. After talking with a few of the bigger carriers, I found one that would let me work at my own pace, within reason. I started pulling vans. Opening and closing doors is about all I did for two years. Gradually, I started getting my muscle mass back and do more and more physical stuff. I think flatbed hauling has passed me by, but I do pretty well with just regular old dry van. I'm still at it almost 4 years after just about checking out.

I don't know anything about LTL or hotshot loads, but I'm living testament to the fact that this occupation has a place for anyone, regardless of physical limitations. If you want proof, go look at some of the hands getting 8 Pilot chili-Dogs with a heaping side of diabetes and tey to imagine just how much physical work they Actually do. The trick is figuring out just how much work you want to do when you climb out.

Good luck to you and don't let the physical part of this scare you away

 

Another option is pulling containers/intermodal. You can do this with a used tractor & it's drop & hook. Google : intermodal/drayage to see what is in your area.

 

Hey Jakaby... thanks for the comments. I had a position with Swift out of school and the thing that is concerning me and why I want to go the route I'm discussing is because I'm under the impression that Swift, or the like, won't appreciate me taking time off whenever I need to. I agree van transport is less physical, but only worried about the choice of choosing loads when I want to or better when I'm able to. I don't think big companies are going to be concerned about when I can and can't drive. I completely understand their need to have drivers available at a drop of a dime. Do you think I'd be "black listed" or even fired if I took the chance and worked for a big company? I can't predict when my disability will pop it's evil f###### head and so I thought it would be better if I tried it on my own. Again thanks for the comments and so happy to hear you made it through the storm. I think we both know how difficult cancer can be. Best wishes.

 

Thanks... well do.

 

Thanks for the comments.. and to be more specific about "my schedule" comment above. I completely understand loads have schedules and need to go from point A to point B at a certain times and schedules. I'm talking about my schedule in regards to accepting loads or not. If I needed to take time off, I obviously would not schedule a load or be in the middle of a load delivery. Much appreciated FB.

 

Hey Jakaby... thanks for the comments. I had a position with Swift out of school and the thing that is concerning me and why I want to go the route I'm discussing is because I'm under the impression that Swift, or the like, won't appreciate me taking time off whenever I need to. I agree van transport is less physical, but only worried about the choice of choosing loads when I want to or better when I'm able to. I don't think big companies are going to be concerned about when I can and can't drive. I completely understand their need to have drivers available at a drop of a dime. Do you think I'd be "black listed" or even fired if I took the chance and worked for a big company? I can't predict when my disability will pop it's evil f###### head and so I thought it would be better if I tried it on my own. Again thanks for the comments and so happy to hear you made it through the storm. I think we both know how difficult cancer can be. Best wishes.

 

Maybe try Roehl? I know they are OTR, but they have some flexible options such as 7/7, 14/14, etc. it's slipseating, but offers a little flexibility. I read the whole thread and realize its not really what you're looking to do, just FFT (food for thought). Best wishes to you.


Charlie
"Resistance is not futile; I will not be assimilated."