Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

I'm asked often if I'm interested in adding a truck or two by guys I know. There's no way I'd do it, then again I already said that

 

I’ve thought about leasing guys on, and eventually getting out of the truck myself. But the more I look into it I think it would end up being more work and stress than any financial gain.

 

I think that adding owner operators to my own Operating Authority will lead to financial disaster. Many owner operator have too many excuses to play around with logbooks and even with elog, they still think that turning off the elog and continue driving for a little bit is ok. Then they expect the dispatch to cover it up. I have met so many o/o leased to small carriers that are doing this. Wait til their company get audit by DOT, lots of fines.

Also, if any one of the lease operator gets into a wreck, the owner of the Operating Authority is liable for all of the expenses not covered by the insurance company. Tow bills and wreck clean up are not included in most insurance policies and can easily cost tens of thousands and more. Also, if any major injuries or death resulted in an accident even if the driver is not at fault, the truck company will always gets sue. America have so many hungry lawyers that progress in business expansions have been haulted due to so many frivolous lawsuits with multi million dollar suits.

You might do well for years, but lose everything when one of your lease operator gets into a major wreck. Or you lose $$$$ when you get audit by DOT. DOT auditor told me that after the third HOS offense, then can fine the carrier $10k or more per offensive. The fines imposed by DOT is ridiculously high. Now with ELog, everything is recorded and there is no way to lie since odometer is recorded and all miles must be explained.

 

Dot fine of $10,000 can happen with first offense. Officer discretion.

I had several trucks running and myself, but I hired an office manager.

That made a big difference.

I run just my self and am happier. Got tired of answering phone with the thought of "what do I have to pay for now"
Go where i want, when I want now.

There is money to be made as a company, but I think you need to have at least 5 trucks so you can justify the cost of the office expense.

It's tough with friends and family.
Same here as OP.. I remember, don't ask for any favors again.
Good luck.

 

You should be able to edit it. The law doesn't say things cant be edited, it says all edits are recorded along with the original.

Which system are you using?

 

I have Keep Truckin eld. I can edit drive time all I want? I can edit it TO Personal conveying or yard move only but I can change it. However I can’t change it to off duty or on duty/not driving.