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

I love it when the Truckstop Shop quotes Me DOT regulation!!! Or when I need a part, they ask, what is it you’re trying to do? Does it matter??? Either you have the part or not!!! I know what I’m doing. Gotta love the experts, Lol!!

 

Am sorry i wish you all the luck but all am seeing here is company driver mindset, more miles means more money. You want to be an owner think like an owner less miles more money. All you are doing is tearing your truck up and you wonder why maintenance is high. Going by your mindset a newer truck wont help you just want to run miles. I run like 1500 miles a week and average 2 per mile all miles. 2012 cascadia that has only seen a shop for a delete and tune and normal pm and lubes, . You are not gonna learn rates, lanes and markets running under a dispatch doing the same stuff you did as a company man.
You want to be an owner and learn put that company mindset behind you.

 

No one wants to be a failed O/O.

But it happens. For a million reasons.

I gave it a whirl once. But spending $15G on an electrical issue in 2 months. Really hurt. And the company I was hauling for losing that very lucrative haul. Put an end to that chapter of life.

 

I guess I missed the switch from Crete to Schneider. I understand the feeling of safety, being associated with an established company. Financially stability and all. But it’s really over rated. For the simple reason, they don’t have your best interests in mind. Especially during bad times, they’ll hang you out to dry. Stock shares performance being their priority. What feels like security to you, is actually a liability. Exposing you to the interests of others. At a cost to you. Best to get away from the big companies. Even Landstar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.It took Me 8 yrs to finally realize this. I too was leased to a Mega. 15 yrs later, still on my own. That says it all. The added financial risk you’re taking, should pay off more than being a Company Driver. Modern lease agreements are designed to keep you barely above water. And dependent on the Carrier. Muddled down in discount programs, they’re appealing to most people’s desire to get a good deal, or something for free. No such thing, in reality, always a string attached or a hook to get caught on. Focus on making more revenue. Calculate the added costs, and added net revenue.Youve already figured out the maintenance part. Simple it costs money, try to get value for what you spend. Meanwhile you’re making the Companies your leased to very proud of you. I bet they just love you. Same way they loved me. Till they decide they’re done with you. Don’t go down, lining their pockets. Invest a little more time, and money, to make more.The track your on now, is really a stationary one. Although, you’re constantly moving. Like a hamster on a wheel. Eventually the hamster gets wore out.

 

I wouldn’t trust JB with my future. Not because I think they’re dishonest. Because they’re whole road operation is currently set up for extra freight. Ready to be cut loose at the drop of a hat. Their focus is on rail. Schneider, aside from a dedicated opportunity that works with home life. Still being subject to their decisions. Landstar is by far your best bet. About as close to independence without all the risk, your going to get. A little fine tuning, finding the right agents, and using Load boards, when needed, to get back to a particular agents freight. Will have more freedom, and get experience negotiating rates. That will be good experience should you decide to get your Authority.Regardless % pay always beats mileage. All parties have incentive. Mileage pay puts you on the short end too often. While the Carrier makes a killing on short trips.Even on a sliding pay scale. The pay rates are bottom of the barrel. Designed to ensure profit for the Carrier. Sometimes a so called guarantee comes at a huge cost. Since you not only are willing to work, but have to work, there’s no risk in being paid %. Honestly, the amount of monthly bills you claim to have, are so minimal, there’s almost no way you can fail. That’s no reason to be a slave to a major corporation. Once you realize that they’re no better at Trucking than you are. Actually worse, given the inexperienced dispatchers they hire, along with overloading them with work. Most only stay for a short time. Stepping stone in their Careers.Again not having your best interests in mind. Use your calculator. Even .10 cpm adds up to $12000 a yr. That’s significant when it’s all going into your pocket/ pay

 

Were you able to keep Crete health insurance...at same cost of company driver..or something else