Who would drive for 90% of the load? Why not drive for yourself?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by JboneChicago, Aug 21, 2018.

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  1. JboneChicago

    JboneChicago Light Load Member

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    I've been a driver for about 1.5 years now. In the first year of driving I learned the ins & outs. By the end of the year I bought a Peterbuilt truck with a flat bed trailer and I started my own authority. Now I am getting ahead but, its still a process of keeping other people out of my wallet.

    However I am intensely curious why do 10, 20 or 30 year veteran drivers drive under someone else's numbers and not their own. A lot of these rip off out fits conman a driver into getting paid $1.00 - 1.18 a mile plus fuel surcharge. So my biggest question is why on earth are you allowing a third party to grab up 2/3 of your profit?

    Why not drive under your own authority? If you don't want the responsibility of owing your own authority, okay, I understand. But the money you spend working under someone else's authority equals out to a mortgage and a couple car payment monthly... That's why I'm confused because I think it's more fighting ignorance than being responsible with business decisions.
     
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  3. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Some guys that lease their trucks on are getting much much better deals then what you're referring to there.

    You're referring to the bottom feeders that if you lease your truck on to them they'll pay you $1 a mile plus fuel surcharge. For whatever reason there are some inexperience people that whatever whatever they will do that.

    But there are plenty of guys that do better leased onto somebody than they did with their Authority. There are some companies out there that really will pay you well if you lease your truck on to them.

    And not only that they get a better discount on fuel and tires and on repairs, etc. Or when there is detention or TONU, they don't have to fight with the broker and probably usually end up on the losing end of it. If their truck breaks down they don't have to worry about renting a truck or any of that type of thing the company will send another truck . And they don't have to wait for their money or wonder if they're going to get paid. There's probably way more than that but I have things to do now.

    Having your Authority isn't always all that it's cracked up to be. If you could make more money than you're making now and have somebody do all the other stuff that occupies your time and have less responsibility on yourself wouldn't you do that?
     
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  4. Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

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  5. JboneChicago

    JboneChicago Light Load Member

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    I do not agree. I have yet to meet a driver that makes a good living under someone else's authority. Plus your not getting the chance of earning the accounts yourself. Keeping everyone out of your pocket including the broker
     
  6. rasymacmac21

    rasymacmac21 Light Load Member

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    I tell you what. Some that are leased on by percentage have access to better loads and discounts that no other small fleet or independent might have. So the difference might not be alot in revenue unless the o/o is playing his cards right. Everybody keeps boosting about having your own numbers. I wish FMCSA would just not take any more entrants. Holy sheeet
     
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  7. p608

    p608 Road Train Member

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    So do you have all of your own customers, or do load from loadboards and give a broker 10 - 20%?
     
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  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I'm going to be the proverbial pia devil's advocate.

    How are you SPENDING YOUR money under someone else's authority when the money FLOWS from the customer to them to you?

    Some people don't want to chase the money, they are content with capturing the revenue without having the additional hassles.

    NOTHING wrong with that but those who think capturing that extra 5 to 15% is going to justify the time wasted trying to get someone to pay, have at it.
     
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  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    If they are drivers, then they are employees, not owners.
     
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  10. driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    Why are you guys wasting your time?
    This driver has been at it a year and a half and cleary smarter than everyone else.
     
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  11. Justrucking2

    Justrucking2 Road Train Member

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    who says we are paid a dollar a mile?
     
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