Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

@Farmerbob1
I’d really like you to try Landstar so I can read about your experiences there.
I’ve heard they’re not like Crete where they offer you the one load and you have to take it, I hear you get to pick your freight. Plus
Hazmat ain’t that big a deal either, if you accidentally pick a hazmat load and get in an accident then you’ll at least know how far and how fast to run.

 

The first time I signed one of those waivers, I too, was worried. I called chemtrex.Usually their # is on the bills. I think it was a load of new automotive batteries, with out acid, maybe? Had an “ exempt” letter, with the bills, Detailing packaging rules, etc. I’ve since run across this many times. Always at a Shipper that ships hazmat. Even though the load doesn’t require placards, because it’s “ exempt”. They want the signature to prove they offered placards. Legal thing on their part. Any doubts, call chemtrex, most importantly, make sure cargo insurance will cover product,I had to laugh,as I too was Leary of signing the refusal notice. But it’s not a big deal. The purpose of it is really for hazmat loads, A Driver can refuse placards, because he has his own. But the Shipper is responsible to provide placards.Covers them in the case a Driver fails to placard a Load. I always took the placards anyway, when hauling hazmat. I put them in the garage near the gas can, Lol First Load I hauled with my new Authority was a load of old batteries,to be recycled, short trip, paying good. It had a “ packaged exempt letter” with it ,All was good till I stopped and noticed acid dripping down my side rail. Talk about a nervous trip!!! Never again!! But other things like packaged motor oil, antifreeze etc. I haul it all the time. Non Hazmat, and covered by Cargo limits.It pays to know what you’re hauling, I’ve learned. Once took a load of 2 part expandable foam. 55 gallon drums, half and half. The receiver said 2 drums mixed together would fill the whole building with foam. I think I’ll pass on that one too, next time. Lol

 

Well, this most recent week was a pleasant change.

Submitted a bit over 3500 paid miles. No maintenance required since hometime, but I noticed today that one of my front brake shoe pads looks like it might be pulling off the shoe. No side cracks, but there is an odd bit of space between the shoe and pad on one side. Will have it looked at tomorrow when I start my 34. I suspect a shoe rivet might have pulled through.

Also, I was a lazy fart last 34 and did not do my half-year recap of numbers. I will do it tomorrow.

 

Sounds like rust jacking, Merritor makes a shoe guaranteed not to rust jack, they’re brand new, painted light blue. Costs about $10 more per set, but no core charge.

 

Rust jacking is rust buildup between shoe and pad, forcing separation?

 

Yes.

 

Started my 34. Beer and pizza now. Number crunching tomorrow AM.

 

OK,

Current numbers according to the accountants:

These numbers do NOT include June.

Period = 4.5 Months. Mid-January to End-May

Miles: 51,590
Income: 68,825
Variable Expenses: 33,580
Fixed Expenses: 12,320

Income as calculated by tax company: 22,925

In order to compare these wages to company wages, I am going to move health insurance (2142 for all types of personal insurance) into my income side. In addition, their calculations consider cash advances to be variable expenses. I will also move those to personal income. (975)

Income so far this year (AS OF END OF MAY), adjusted to match how a company driver would be paid: 26,042

This is a period of 4.5 out of 12 months, or 9/24th of the year.

If I continue at this pace, I will earn (26,042 / 9) x 24 = $69,445

Now. I can tell you without any doubt that my June numbers, when they are added to the total, will put a BIG dent in that yearly income average. My total maintenance expenses for June were around 6k. And that does not include a replacement phone or the new Battery Backup for my electronics, since they are not part of the truck.

 

So, what you're saying is that once you add the big DENT of June into that equation, you're making less than you were as a company driver, or at best spinning your wheels?

By my calculations, you're averaging $1.33 per mile on roughly 11,464 per month.

You're only a couple of more big ticket items away from a sunken ship.

If I were you, I'd activate your exit strategy as soon as you can.

Good luck!

 

Sooooo... your basically going broke. That sounds like just a mean statement but it’s the truth and I hope you change course soon. You haven’t even had an “event” happen that’s cost you any significant amount of money.

Get the June numbers together. May is old news.