When it's $1.48/mile versus .48/mile why not aspire to be an o/o?

I can see that. But it still comes down to: "what is your daily minimum revenue".

 

I'll take the .48 any time over 1.48. Just one minor quibble. .48 was top pay 20 years ago.

You never see any real increase in wages because there are too many newbies unaware that .35 or whatever low unsustainable wage was paid when their parents were top hands decades ago.

At one point back in the 90's I bought a tractor. My first and only. We expected around 1.50-1.60 at most and maybe 1.05 or so breaking even. 10% of whatever the truck would make automatically goes into a special account to be held against engine failure or something truly major.

Many decades later considering the disgusting amount of money that is spilled every time the truck throws something relatively minor Im happy to be just a company driver. Here, it's broke fix it please. Or even better, replace a system like the full A/C and find out from the yelling shop boss... oh? Not supposed to? Oops. It's fixed now, and btw here is this 1600 dollars bill they need paying.

 

I'm currently averaging right around $1.00/mile as a company driver. No way on God's green earth could I make it as an O/O at a $1.48/mile, and maintain my current lifestyle!

I've considered making the jump over to the O/O side, even ran the numbers and priced out the trucks. And my answer is "No". My life is easy, my stress is low, and my pay is fair for the work I do. Why screw that up?

If my situation changes for the worse, I will certainly reconsider. But for now, I am quite content to let someone else worry about the expense while I keep the profits, thanks.

 

This I totally agree with.

Unfortunately I've been doing my own thing for so long that I am a terrible employee. I keep thinking I should fire myself (usually a couple of time each day.) But who could I hire to replace me with.

 

one bad thing about working for yourself is the boss never cuts you any slack. at least not mine anyway.

 

Yeah tell me about it. Pays me straight salary no matter what. Always demands to be on time, care for and maintain all the equipment. Even turning wrenches on my days off, really what's up with that?
But back on topic though I don't know how anybody can get by on a $1.48/mile. If these trucks don't average $1,000 a day it's not worth it.

 

I can slide by at $750 a day. but I’m not happy about it.....

Also I’m home every night and mileage is low......

 

So, are you an owner operator?