So you want to "own " your own company

Im not sure what it equals out to.... I for one may not have exactly 6 months of "cushion" I am interested in a estimated amount. I am also moving in the direction of O.O. Good luck and please share information as you get it. This foirum is FULL of stuff - its almost hard to put it all into perspective haha

 

Any man that has THE DUKE standing in front of an American Flag is bound to succeed.

USMC do you have any previous experience with the trucking industry?

Never mind I read your original post.

I've given my experience as a o/o leased to a carrier for the last 4 years at this location.... http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...erator/64679-my-numbers-o-o-leased-crete.html .

I suggest being a company driver for a year. Then an o/o leased to a carrier for another year. Then become independant.

For the last two years I've talked to many o/o, independants and those leased to other carriers, trying to find a better situation for my home time and income. I'm still searching. An independant may GROSS more $$$ than me, but their NET income is usually the same +/- a few $$$, and they have much more operational worries than I for no increase in pay. The exception to this are those independants who are in a niche lane/market/freight. I will also say that I've missed some better opportunities because of where I live..SOTEX.

I wish you nothing but the best of circumstances to make you successfull!

 

Hello,
No I do not have any trucking experience. I currently work as a Software Developer and want an out. I have a couple of friends who drive, but may not know the details of ownership. I some $$, good credit, and friends in the business. I hoped that would be a good start. I'm just unsure of what my monthly cost of operations are going to run. I want to be sure I know what I am getting myself into. The plan is to buy on truck/trailer and put it on the road. Hope to grow from one truck to many. Any thoughts, are truly welcomed.

 

Be a company driver for at least a year to make sure the trucking industry is what you really want to do for the rest of your life.

You don't want to saddle yourself with the financial liabilities as an o/o only to realize this is not the lifestyle/job for you.

Trucking is not as easy as it may seem on the surface. We do more than sit in a seat and hold a steering wheel, ESPECIALLY AN O/O!

 

Hello,
I appreciate your response. My challenge is a bit different. I do not plan on being an owner operator. I want to own and hire a driver. I already have a 9-5. I want to do this as extra income and hopefully to build on it. But driving will not be part of the deal. Thanks in advance.

 

I see.

Good luck with that. Not saying it can't be done. However, with no experience in this industry, it will be very hard financially and emotionally.

If you do try it, succeed or fail, tell me if I was wrong.

 

Thank you!!!! My wife and I just spent the better half of 2 hours reading your thread you linked in your post. VERY INFORMATIVE!!!! We were surprised to see your NET so high even with a new truck payment.

The only concern that really stuck out at us was the hometime. Which you mentioned you had been trying to increase. Was the home time due to not being closer to home on runs. Or was it simply the company mandating your miles?

I have heard alot about Landstar. Have you been on their site? What they have posted on there is somewhat limited, but it appears to give OO's more control when it comes to dictating where, what and when they haul.

Thanks!!!!

 

I have checked Landstar, Mason Dixon, Carroll Fullmer, and several others that are agent based and pay on a percentage basis and will hire o/os from my area. The problem is that while I can have more control over my operations, I lose in the outbound freight rates from my area.

When it comes to being able to dictate what, when, and where I haul, it is a trade off for me. The consistant pay per mile, consistant miles, purchasing discounts, all help maintain a consistant cash flow. Vital to any business.

As an o/o Crete does not dictate my home time. My need to generate revenue does. However, when I decide it's time to go home they try to get me there, but keep in mind due to the are I live in I generally have to be in the right place at the right time to get a load directly home. There are times I've deadheaded from Dallas or Houston areas to go home. This is rare and I will only do it after a profitable period and can afford to do so.

Again, keep in mind it's not just your GROSS revenue, it's the NET revenue that counts.

 

Thank you! I understand now. I may have missed it, but on their website, I didnt find any info on Cretes policies for OO teams. Do you have any knowlege as far how an OO team husband and wife could do at Crete? Any information is appreciated!

I am considering to start out solo as a company driver, get experience, learn more of the ins and outs of todays industry and if it works out, purchase a truck, and enter the O.O biz with my wife as a team.

Is this something you have seen alot of? And has it generally been a positive choice? Thanks again and BE SAFE!!!!

 

Crete does have some company teams, haven't heard of team o/os.

Being a company griver first is the best way to get your feet wet in this industry.

Crete does hire students, but they have to score 90 or above and graduate from a PDT approved school. The best info on this and team o/os will come from talking to a recruiter to get current details.