Taking the leap - O/O vs. Company Driver

Casey - Hook up with a company for at least 1 year before you buy your own truck. This business is unlike other businesses. It's fluid, meaning that rules and regulations are constantly changing which can affect your bottom line. In other words, you don't know diddly squat about trucking.
It's bad enough when a company driver has to stay out for weeks at a time but being an OO means you have to keep those wheels turning, more so than a company driver. Wheels aren't turning, you aren't earning.
OTR is also a lifestyle. Weeks away from home, many hours driving, a few hours sleeping and at all different hours of the day or night. There's no set schedule in this business. After a week of hard driving, you're pretty much burnt out and the bed is your companion for the weekend. By the time your head and body get straight, it's time to roll again.
Think you're going to see the country? Yeah, through your windshield. By the time your day or night is done, you're going to hit that sleeper faster than a NASCAR race.
I'm not trying to discourage you. I've seen to many people with the same question you pose get into this business and lose everything because they didn't know what the hell they were doing. Be smart and patient. Become a company driver first, for at least a year. Talk to other OO's, most of them will be happy to give you any advise you ask for. Do some research on what type of freight you want to haul (Van, reefer, flatbed, etc.). Is it more profitable to get your own authority or lease with another carrier? Make calls to other brokers, let them know what you're planning to do, because even with your own authority, you'll use them too.
You have a lot to learn grasshopper. Good luck.
A few more things to consider before purchasing your truck. Ever drive a loaded or empty 18 wheeler in the snow? Ever go down a mountain with a 9% grade, loaded at 47,000 lbs.? Ever drive on an Ice Road? Do you know the difference between driving loaded and empty in hazardous weather conditions?
A truck driving school isn't going to teach you any of these. You need to hire on to a carrier as a company driver to get that experience and in my opinion, even a year is not enough. Remember you're not only putting your own life on the line, your inexperience is putting everybody else's lives on the road at risk.

 

It is going to be hard to buy a truck, and then get insurance with no experience.
Get a job and learn the business a little before you buy your own truck. Also, finance your purchase. Build trucking credit, conserves capital,interest write off.

 

Casey,

It is very hard to get on with a o/o with less than two years of experience because of insurance reasons. Get your feet wet by going company driver as everyone has said and learn the business. You mentioned good companies. Here are top choices. Now do yourself a favor and find a good school. I myself went to Road Master because the government paid for it. I would look into Fox Valley Technical College in WI.

Crete/Schaffer (contact them for a list of approved schools)
Roehl
Watkins Shepard
JBS Carriers

I am sure there are more good companies but these seem to have the best training programs. Good luck and here are some good threads:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ere/135084-jbs-carriers-greeley-colorado.html

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/watkins-and-shepard/

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/crete/

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/roehl/

Good luck and please do not hesitate to ask questions. The ones that do not get asked could be very important.

KH

 

And yes / no Casey to your equipment question : Yes you can buy anything you want and operate in CA. Problem is emmission requirements. You could spend thousands trying to get a out of state unit compliant. (used ) And new CA. trucks are priced higher than the rest of the country for obvious reasons.

And if you went refer, it has to be compliant too. I've also seen some stickers on refer units " Carb compliant to 2015 or 2018 " so an easy guess would mean the regs will continue to tighten on diesel stuff into the future.

Do the company thing in CA. until you're ready to cross over and then consider a move for the O/O thing.

JMO

 

Casey Im not sure what the mile per gallon is on Kenworth Day cab or sleeper, however In a 24 ft straight truck is about 10 mpg. I have driven Fords, International (CHeap junks) Freightshaker (Freightlingers), GMC, Izusu, Volvo and by far I Kenworth is like tha Caddy of Big Trucks.

 

Casey, don't take this as an insult but if you do not know any answers to these questions you are asking then you are definitely not ready to be an O/O.

It sounds as if you have a good head on your shoulders and you have nothing to lose so as far as being a truck driver I think it would be a very good decision for you. Jumping in as an O/O though is suicide. Can it be done, sure! Anything can be done if you have enough money and thats the main point. It is going to cost you so much in learning and mistakes that it will kill you financially!

Driving a truck is not just holding the wheel. There is a lot to learn about the industry itself if you want to make money at it. Just knowing where the freight is hot and where to go to set yourself up for the good freight is highly valuable.

If you are serious about being an O/O and really want to be successful in doing it then I recommend you find yourself a good company and drive for at least a year or two. Your key to making money is going to be your dispatcher and right now you have no idea how that relationship is going to be. So build a good relationship with your dispatcher, run company. Do everything you would as if you were an O/O. Keep track of everything you do. In a year see where you are at and if it is even worth it. You find yourself making more as a company driver. Also another big factor is fuel.(not gas) Fuel is going to be where you make your money. So I highly recommend you practicing refining your driving. Do you know what speed to run to make the most of your money? A good seasoned, refined driver is going to make a lot more money if you can save on tires, brakes, fuel, transmissions etc... Those things cost a lot of money and can make a big difference. Dry turns and snake backing like a newbie will eat a set of steers in no time!

While you are doing all of this be stashing away money. The more you can save the more successful you will be. While you are driving company take some business courses online or get some books on cds about running a business. The OOIDA website has a lot of good material to help drivers learn and be successful.

I am 36 years old and am a retired successful owner operator. While driving over the road I also used to run a mentor program for new owner operators. I can tell you everything you need to know about how to make it in the biz! Start off by following these steps and you will be headed in the right direction. Just do yourself a huge favor and don't jump into this blindly.

 

Excellent advise chompi

 

Hi Casey,
I went to Roehl driving school and have been driving for them since Jan. They are based in marshfield wi and travel 48 states plus Canada. For a big company they treat me fair and have done all that the recruiter said they would do. Our trucks are not fancy and are governed at 63 but their safety record is pretty good. If I find a air leak or something that would be a violation they have always got it in to the nearest shop. We have pre pass and ( knock on wood) I've not had a run in with dot yet. Most of the people are respectfull when I call in. I know there will be some who disagree with me, but no company is perfect and all I can say is how I've been treated.