So you want to "own " your own company

I would not worry that much about the economy. One thing to remember about 2008 compared to today. In '08, inventories where sky high and now they are at record lows. We also went from something like 4% unemployment into the 9's and we are sitting at that now.

Personal feeling is that we are sitting stagnant because people are not using credit and that is a good thing for our economy. It will be a slower growth but provide for a steady base. And all the scare tactics are coming from the news and politicians. Pay attention to the growth of small business as you drive. This has always been the best leading indicator of the economy and the backbone of America. The entrepreneur. They are coming out strong this year.

 

Trucking is the first to experience a slowdown and the first to see it pick up. Flats are especially sensitive to what is going on in the economy.

 

Does anyone know about Colonial freight lines are they a good company to work for?

Thanks.
Dazzmann

 

NightWind,
How absolutely correct you are but I have to tell you.....it has been worth every dime I spent to start up my own company. I worked for a scam artist as a dispatcher out of Pa and my husband leased his truck on with him. Once we figured out what was happening, I filed for my own authority and went through all the red tape necessary to get away and now we are both out of there. The amusing side to this is that I own the transport company and my husband leases on with me. As he loves to tell people..........This woman has been telling me where to go for 23 years and now I gotta pay her to do it!! LOL
We chose for me to get my authority though because a few of the drivers I dispatched for asked if they could go with me when I left and I said yes. That way if anyone messes up the safety rating.......my husband would be free to go out and get his own without there being a conflict. The greatest satisfaction I get though is that I can offer my drivers so MUCH more than what they were getting from the scam artist we worked for. It's been very satisfying. For all the drivers reading this..........BE SAFE and GOD SPEED!!!

 

BigBadBill,
Some people dont like to admit that they are part of the problem when it comes to hauling cheap freight. My drivers have willingly deadheaded out of an area instead of supporting the cheap freight shippers. As long as drivers are willing to do it, then they are part of the problem instead of the solution. In essence, you might be getting your fuel $ but you still 'worked' for nothing. I just don't get it
BE SAFE and GOD SPEED

 

The O/O's should continue not to support the "cheap freight haulers" by not hauling the cheap freight...it would be nice if nobody hauls it then the freight $ might increase...
keep deadheading .

Haul cheap freight= fuel money, and I agree that driver has worked for nothing.

But the real part of the problem is the big trucking company's that haul the cheap freight to reposition their trucks, they haul that cheap freight everyday, and most always will.

crusin

 

The big trucking companies only haul about 10% of the freight. That leaves 90% for the smaller carriers and owner operators. We like to blame the big carriers, but what about the rest of the freight? No one admits to hauling the cheap freight, but someone it hauling it. If smaller carriers and independents refused to haul it then rates would come up in those areas.

 

Ive got $50k, planning on buying a truck and 53" foot Reefer so I can run both dry and Reefer freight $25-30k, insurance, authority, Ifta, Plates, etc $6-7k.

$10-13k left over for fuel maintance etc.

Want to run 2000-3000k miles a week.

Payment on the $50k is $850,plus insurance

No bills other then cellphone in my life.

Question is, Running brokered loads only. Can I make enough money is this economy to cover my loan, insurance, fuel? and also have alittle money to live on?

Is It possible to make $1.75 A mile right now? I could survive and have money left over, did the math already.

 

$1.75 is possible. It will all depend upon where you're running. Might make more going and less coming back or vice versa. Plan your work and work your plan. Put it in writing for yourself so you have a concrete plan. This also allows you the opportunity to go over it a few times and make sure you didn't forget anything like internet to email contracts, load confirmations, etc., maintenance fund, etc...

 

I am new to the truckers forum, I am an owner/op with my own authority, I live near Joliet, Il. I have a direct contract with a dist. center, so I deliver drop and hook trailers 5 to 6 loads a week, mostly western Ohio and Indiana. I'm paid round trip all miles, 0 dead-head. I'm home every day, and could be off week-ends if I wanted. I'm doing pretty good, I know that I could get higher paying freight, so I'm looking into that, but for now I'm enjoying the time I have to go to the gym, doctor visits, eating right, etc. etc. I was on the road for 2 years, and I believe that was enough time to realize that everything was deteriorating in my life, lost time with my family, bills being late, credit shot, poor health...I'm glad and grateful that I'm out of that lifestyle.
JOHNNYNEWTRUCKER