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

 

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.

 

Yes.

 

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.