Why did you become an owner operator?

I did it because I was tired of a dispatcher. It's hard work you need to change your entire mindset. It's been great for me profitable every month but 1...and I could have been that month but was nervous about a repair so after 19 days down I stuck around Denver no good freight here.

Be Safe Out There


Captain Dave

 

You need to read a lot on this TTR start with picking my own freight the double yellow line maybe TennMan and beyond.


Be Safe Out There

Captain Dave

 

I did it basically because I like the freedom of running my own business and I don't have a dispatcher I do my own Freight picking... and while it is more responsibility more work I wouldn't trade it for anything...

 

I did it because I am "strong-willed", bull-headed, obstinate, etc. It's my way or the highway when it comes to getting something accomplished.
I have tried to change that mentality several times, but now that I'm in my mid- forties, I've realized (long ago) that it's just not gonna happen.
Couple that with a dyed-in-the-wool love of operating machinery, and this is what seemed right to do

 

As a Young man from Chicago back in the late 1980's..I Had to Make a Choice, I was a few years outta High School, I worked for my Grandfather in the Concrete Business, And I Needed to Find out what I wanted to do with my Life.

I initially wanted to be an Auto Mechanic, New NOTHING about Trucks being from the City.....Eventually, I started delivering Concrete pipe and spacer rings on a 20' straight truck to job site locally.. (No CDL back then,)

I Went to School to Get my chauffers in 1989, 1992 Traded it in for the CDL, I Bought my first Truck that year BUT Before , I had to Make a decision.. I Either work For Local 705 Union.. Or Become an Independent Trucker.. I Opted for ownership and 26 years Later Im Still here.

Probably Like to Retire pretty soon, But This Road I Chose became Rewarding with Hard Work and no-Nonsense attitude to get the jobs Done without issue.

 

I did it cause I had nothing else todo, I was unemployed. Through out my work history I made/ saved companies I worked for millions and got nothing out of it. The last company I worked for I turned down some good opportunities to stay with him, it didn't work out so I said never again will I work for anyone else but me.

During this transitional period a buddy of mine was an o/o burning the candle at both end needed someone to keep him up. I went I liked it, I always did like big trucks my dad had a few, my grandpa was a welder and repaired a few so they were always around me growing up.

So I wanted to become a trucker and be my own boss. Thru Long Beach City College I was able to get my CDL all endorsements and my twic card and drivers Ed / training for pretty much free. After I graduated I sold some of my toys and bought me a semi. It was the best thing I did in my life. It's not easy though being an o/o. I am actually kinda lucky I don't deal with a traditional broker as most of the people are on here. So I don't have to worry about that but, things come up. A lot of people told me to be a driver first but I didn't listen.

As long as you learn from your mistakes and always keep your wheels moving it will be fine. GL

 

I put about 2.5x the number of dollars in my pocket now for the same work. I also schedule my work around my life, not the other way around. I don't have a pimp that tells me when I will work or be home. Now I negotiate directly with the big pimp lol

 

I got into trucking because of a story I have told too many times online.

I became an owner operator (this month) because I got tired of being fired by all the really good companies out there. Seems people can tell when you think they are stupid and take it personally.