Running With Watkins & Shepard

Hey Everybody!! Well i finally have some time AND an internet connection again....

It would seem I have some catching up to do here huh?

First, Yes Sammycat, I'm rolling since Monday. After getting my truck jump started at the dealer becuase they let it die, I've been sent from Sayreville NJ to NC, back to NJ and then back to NC....LOL just left NC this morning at 1:30 bound for Denver. I'm doing my 10 in Mt.Vernon IL right now at a Pilot.

Since the Jersey to NC runs were pretty much direct shots with no internet at either end, this is the first chance I've had to get online since I went back.

Chompi and cpape, you guys have a GREAT conversation going here. Please keep it up and build on it as I feel it's truly great food for thought for anyone (including myself) to digest when thinking about O/O. I am by the way.

I won't try to expand "too" much on this but I have to say as right as you both are on all your points, you seem to be just a touch one sided about it all. There are some distinct advantages to being "self employed". I know as I have been for over 30 years. Is it tougher than being an "employee"? YOU BETCHA!! MUCH tougher but then, what in life that's worth more isn't?

Chompi, having been self employed I know a bit about standing up for myself. When you say I'd be out all that money I beg to differ. Since the outcome (in this particular situation) was....they did nothing but let the batteries die AND "somehow" burnt out my CB....LOL, I'd not only NOT be out any money but they'd recieve one HECK of a bill FROM ME for the whole affair including lost pay.

Now had they actually "fixed" it then yes your scenario fits fine. BUT, you neglect to mention the amount of money I'd be making the REST of the time out there running. Now trust me, I'm not trying to claim it's a goldmine of easy pickins but properly run, it can be and IS profitable. I'll add that I couldn't agree more with cpape's statement that it's NOT for folks who know nothing about running a business in the first place. But then, no business is.

Now of course all I have to go on is the word of the O/O's I've spoken with but the vast majority of them wouldn't have it any other way. At an average of $2800 to $3500 a week, you'd be able to build that "stash" as chompi puts it rather quickly. This assumes of course "good" business practice and proper cash flow control. If you simply "live it up" with that money, you'll be hurting fast when things go wrong.

So I'm out and about again and once again loving the road. The truck runs good but I'm still concerned with that fuel situation and a few other minor (but important) issues I'd like fixed. I'll get it all done as I have been from the start. On my own and bit by bit....LOL my hope at this point is to get to Helena MT where I've been told by a few drivers they actually care about getting things done. We'll see.

It's simply beautiful out here in IL right now. Warm and sunny and I love the scenery. I think I'm Slowwwly getting dispatch to understand my desire to run out west and hopefully, I'll do more of it.

I'm really starting to get the hang of the "system" here at WS and the process of paperwork, qualcomm and logging is getting easier with each run now. I still goof up a bit here and there but it's far less now......

Bit by bit, it's all coming together and starting to make sense and "flow".

I'm gonna cut this short here so I can go read up on some other threads and try to get caught up. I have to call ORG (Has he let out his name yet??...LOL) and see where he is. Since I'll be in Denver, I wonder if I can catch up with him somewhere around there. That would be great!!

 

hi ya'll. Well I did get to meet up with ORG in Salina KS for lunch. It great to see him again. It's the first time since school. When I called him we were both in MO bound for Denver and he was about 120 miles ahead of me on 70. I knew I could close the gap as our trucks run faster...lol. I'm in Helena MT right now after dropping a beer load. Having the truck worked on. I'm hoping they have internet here as typing this on my phone is a pain