Swift O/O and L/O - How much do they make?

The original question was how much do Swift owners make, not Landstar owners. I think Mystic gave the best answer with real numbers. That's with a lot of discipline. Other than that I would say about $0.40 - $0.50 cents per mile gross. Some weeks are better than others-- all downhill with only 500 pounds of feathers in the trailer.

Landstar has their virtues but so does Swift. Not everyone can be a Landstarrie, but everyone can be a Swiftie.

I don't know why you want to bite the hand that feeds you-- Swift taught you how to drive the big trucks and you're still a company driver no? Extolling the virtues of being an owner operator? Reminds me of an annoying backseat driver bwitching about being hung with a brand new rope.

 

It is really not that bad. As far as fuel, all that you have to really remember is not to top of tanks on a tuesday if delivering on Wednesday. If I know that I am getting a decent check the next week and I am somewhere on a Tuesday where the fuel is cheap, I will top off. Less to purchase the next week. There are just many factors. As far as breakdown, the reason that I went into a brand new truck, WARRANTY. So far my only major expense, steer tires. But then again, every one to their own opinion. For me, it is working out great.

 

As squeak mentioned, IELs trucks are bumper to bumper for 300K, electrical and body for 500K and drive train/engine for 750K, the only real liabilty is loss of revenue from being down and IEL will lease you a loaner for $.05 per mile.

As far as over fueling. Limiting your fuel purchase to manage your cash flow is a good practice. But if over fueling puts your business in jeopardy then you are doing it wrong.

No matter what though, it is a start up business and you have to have the financial reserves to do it. If you are young, have family to support and are cash strapped, I wouldn't recommend it ... no matter what company or how you go about it.

 

LOL ... I actually got that load. But it was 3k of down comforters. In an old POS T trailer into a 35mph head wind and only got 6.2 mpg.

 

True that! if you have mortgage payments,babies to feed and a needy wife.....i know i couldn't do it...until truck is paid off....just to up and down the paychecks...but then again i dont even try to make them even out! Must have money in the bank....no matter what! Just in case....and if you say in case of what? then u too young....life happens....always when u least expect it...can't fear overfueling....u get it paid forward for the next week...it can help sometimes...my 2 cts...

 

Going to a load board for owner ops, is actually what Swift is doing. It has already been approved by the executive board. What is being ironed out are the details ... will it be limited such as Schneider Choice, will it move to % pay and will brokered loads be put on the board. After that it will be a matter of IT developing and deploying.

 

That should take the IT guys about 1 year to develop, and then look at the problems like Plus 1 that they developed. The % part could be good, especially on the short hauls and some of the large companies that have the long runs.

 

I knew how to drive trucks in 1980. Semi in 82. I have not worked for Swift for 14 months. I am home every day. More pay, less BS.