I am a Newbie I want to be an O/O HELP

[Chae Transport]

overtime who would know more about the trucking industry and becoming an owner operator then u do.Go ahead tell him the hard facts if he bacame an o/o.Heck im going on 6 yrs otr company driving and I dont think ill ever be an o/o.Why anybody would even consider the idea without having any otr experience is beyond me.

Makes a good point: being an owner/operator is not for everyone

Just like driving a truck as a career is not for everyone,

It sound like patriciajnsn has found a company that allows the enjoyment of the career chosen, while working a schedule that fits the drivers desired life style.

I try to keep my comments in opinion form and lord help me if Cerberus catches me making this one as advice; if you do not have any experience in the industry the best advice given in this forum to you would be to get the experience before you attempt the leap of faith into Owner/Operator.
I have known a few personally that did and it did not take them long to be out of business.
Learn your way around the industry, ask plenty of questions, the only dumb question is the one that is never asked

 

[Larry]

Does experience count if you grew up in trucking?

 

[Chae Transport]

Does experience count if you grew up in trucking?

There are some advantages to growing up in the industry, but ultimately you will be looked upon for experience which helps in the retention of knowledge

 

[patriciajnsn]

Does experience count if you grew up in trucking?

Good question Larry but noone will hire u as an o/o unless u have otr experience or u can get hired thru a friend.Some companies will let u lease if u only have a few months exp.Because they want another poor unsuspecting sucker to take over there payments and companies rather have drivers pay for road breakdown ect.Even though i'm not an o/o I do know the games the companies play.I've talked to many lease operators over the yrs and most went back to company driving.They just did'nt make the money to keep up on payments mechanical and fuel.Now I talk to a flatbed driver alot.He drives for an owner operator company and he's making excellent money.I guess it just depends on the company.

 

[Larry]

Good question Larry but noone will hire u as an o/o unless u have otr experience or u can get hired thru a friend.Some companies will let u lease if u only have a few months exp.Because they want another poor unsuspecting sucker to take over there payments and companies rather have drivers pay for road breakdown ect.Even though i'm not an o/o I do know the games the companies play.I've talked to many lease operators over the yrs and most went back to company driving.They just did'nt make the money to keep up on payments mechanical and fuel.Now I talk to a flatbed driver alot.He drives for an owner operator company and he's making excellent money.I guess it just depends on the company.

That is being a lease operator being an owner operator is a totally different ball game than making truck payments for the company owned truck.

 

[patriciajnsn]

That is being a lease operator being an owner operator is a totally different ball game than making truck payments for the company owned truck.

U got me there.I'll never be a lease operator.I'll buy trk right from the dealer not a company.

 

[Larry]

U got me there.I'll never be a lease operator.I'll buy trk right from the dealer not a company.

I'd rather buy a truck from a dealer or a private seller before I would ever do a lease purchase agreement. Hell you can find a truck from private seller in better condition than you can from a dealer.

 

[Chae Transport]

That is being a lease operator being an owner operator is a totally different ball game than making truck payments for the company owned truck.

Yea but Larry unless you out right buy the truck with out any financing in place you will more then likely still be making a truck payment

 

[patriciajnsn]

chea has a point there,doesnt matter you're stuck with someone elses headache and unless u know the industry real well and unless your company gives u consistant miles and unless u have some otr exp no since even thinken about becoming an o/o.

 

[Larry]

Yea but Larry unless you out right buy the truck with out any financing in place you will more then likely still be making a truck payment

chea has a point there,doesnt matter you're stuck with someone elses headache and unless u know the industry real well and unless your company gives u consistant miles and unless u have some otr exp no since even thinken about becoming an o/o.

Good points!

 

[Cerberus]

Makes a good point: being an owner/operator is not for everyone

Just like driving a truck as a career is not for everyone,

It sound like patriciajnsn has found a company that allows the enjoyment of the career chosen, while working a schedule that fits the drivers desired life style.

I try to keep my comments in opinion form and lord help me if Cerberus catches me making this one as advice; if you do not have any experience in the industry the best advice given in this forum to you would be to get the experience before you attempt the leap of faith into Owner/Operator.
I have known a few personally that did and it did not take them long to be out of business.
Learn your way around the industry, ask plenty of questions, the only dumb question is the one that is never asked

Busted......Actually that was good advice, so no beating at this time for you.

Does experience count if you grew up in trucking?

NO !!!!!!

I'd rather buy a truck from a dealer or a private seller before I would ever do a lease purchase agreement. Hell you can find a truck from private seller in better condition than you can from a dealer.

Buying the truck is not the issue. Hell anybody can buy a friggin truck. The real issues are can you drive it and will any insurance company cover you with no or little exp ? NO, they won't.

 

[Larry]

Actually I called Progressive and they said they just go by based on how long you had a CDL and they insure people with no experience.

 

[Cerberus]

Actually I called Progressive and they said they just go by based on how long you had a CDL and they insure people with no experience.

Say what ? No offense man but that is messed up. So now drivers with no exp can buy a truck and drive it all over. Oh yeah that makes sence. No wonder truck drivers are getting such a bad rap.

 

[patriciajnsn]

I don't know,just does'nt make any since that anybody would want to become an owner operator without absolutely no experience.Can anyone tell me why drivers that have never drove a semi would want to be an o/o?Tell me new drivers,or soon to be new drivers,what is it about becoming an owner op that u like?Is it more money? more freedom?

 

[Chae Transport]

Busted......Actually that was good advice, so no beating at this time for you.



I guess I Got lucky this time :flex:

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

Busted......Actually that was good advice, so no beating at this time for you.



I guess I Got lucky this time :flex:

Yeah you did...:nono:

 

[Goin4It]

I'm surprised about Progressive or anyone insuring someone with no experience. That's an eye-opener. I do know that if you don't have a lot of recent experience they will limit you to a 2-300 mile radius of your home base. That really puts the clamps down on some hauling opportunities. Unless you live in a busy area, I don't see how you could make it in such a small area of operation.

 

[Cerberus]

Busted......Actually that was good advice, so no beating at this time for you.



I guess I Got lucky this time :flex:

Doesn't happen often, so enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Chae Transport]

Say what ? No offense man but that is messed up. So now drivers with no exp can buy a truck and drive it all over. Oh yeah that makes sence. No wonder truck drivers are getting such a bad rap.

PLEASE we have been in the bad rap of the public for years and then you came along

 

[Matt]

OK, so you are wondering why a new driver would want to, I will give it my best answer. Well I do have a degree in electronics but am so so tired of the work I do and I hate my job and all jobs associated. My reason for considering it. I have took many many vacations both flying and driving. The ones I have drove (I live in MN) I have always liked the long road trips and seeing the country. I have drove all around the US. Have drove for 24hrs straight. Ok dont get the wrong Idea about the 24hr thing I know I wouldnt be doing that. I am just saying even after long long drives I still have fun with it. I am just trying to make a career switch and think it would be a feasible idea. What do you guys think?