Question:
Ok, so far I hear prime is the worst for leases. I got a question though? What about the other carriers lease programs like schneider, Arrow, FFE, Werner, Stevens and so forth. Are they all bad. I see them even state, they pay lower than prime , whats up with this? $0.84 a mile, how can anyone make any money off these carriers. Nobodys fooling me on here, I know alot of people are doing these leases and being locked in to them more respectible companies out there? So, how do they do it, with such cheap pay per mile and still being able to make money having a new truck? I must not be seeing the whole picture can someone help clear this up?
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
I think all newbies should get into a lease/purchase plan as soon as possible. you will have a much cooler looking truck than the company drivers, and will impress everybody. Don't worry about $.084 per mile because, after all, OTR trucking is a 'Lifestyle', not a job or a business, it's about looking good and 'Seeing The USA!'. Trucking is what YOU make of it, and all you need is a Good Attitude to make it in this 'Lifestyle choice'.
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Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
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This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Originally posted by Dominoes:
I think all newbies should get into a lease/purchase plan as soon as possible. you will have a much cooler looking truck than the company drivers, and will impress everybody. Don't worry about $.084 per mile because, after all, OTR trucking is a 'Lifestyle', not a job or a business, it's about looking good and 'Seeing The USA!'. Trucking is what YOU make of it, and all you need is a Good Attitude to make it in this 'Lifestyle choice'.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney
Hell man, I just asked a question. What the hell crawled up your ***? Chill, Do you hate you job that much?
Anyone got a good statement to reply to this post
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
Everything I said was very positive about trucks and leasing. Can't you read? I think it's a great idea and a wonderful way to get ahead.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Probably better off asking the O/O's about this.
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Save the trees, eat more beavers.

Answer:
"So, how do they do it, with such cheap pay per mile and still being able to make money having a new truck? "
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How many have you meet in their 3rd year of a lease??
werner
" The Company has experienced difficulty recruiting and retaining owner-operators because of high fuel prices and other factors. This has resulted in a reduction of the number of owner-operator tractors from 1,175 as of March 31, 2002, to 1,000 as of March 31, 2003"
swift
"our owner operator fleet has remained fairly constant, with 3,204 at March 31, 2002 and 3,200 at March 31, 2003"
If you watch the truck numbers,you will see they don't last long.
I was truck number 1203 at werner in 1994,go ahead and look for a low number like that,you won't find one.
I was number 1149 at crete,even buying new trucks I kept the same number,I quit and came back 3 months latter and still was 1149,go ahead and find a low number like that.There are a few left,very few.They skipped a few hundred numbers,but are now up to around #3000,about 3 years is all most stay.
Crete had 750 o/o in 1994 and 500 o/o in 2002.
Less people are doing it now than the mid 90's,but for almost everyone that does pack it in,there is another one to come along and give it a try because they are sick of the working conditions offered as a company driver.They trade off making less per mile for no northeast,no shags,no dealing with the company shop,no dealing with the company fuel stops,no more you can't stay home for more than 2 days or can't go home in less than 3 weeks.
Alexandria, VA, June 8, 2003 - Robert Hirsch, president of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) today expressed disappointment that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rejected a pilot program aimed at the trucking industry's critical and growing driver shortage.
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Answer:
Let me throw my two cents in here and I'll sum it up like this--There is nothing wrong with having a goal to become an O/O but do it the smart,responsible way!A lease/purchase way is a good way to bankrupt your family and your future.If you are a newbie then stay as far away from a plan like this as possible.Start out as a company driver,save as much money as you can,get at least three years driving under your belt and then if you must do a lease/purchase,do it with a plan like Select Trucks offers--at least you will be in an independent lease and if you decide that the company you are leased on with is not for you then you can move on to another company and take your truck with you.The only way you can make any money at .84 cpm is to become a trainer,that way you get paid for all miles driven(yours and trainee's)If you decide to go this route--don't expect to be home very much;your job as a trainer is to get the newbie trained as quickly as possible and you will usually be out three to six weeks at a time.A day off will cost you about $600.00 in earnings.I have been driving for a year now and I too have a goal set to become an O/O but I will do it the smart way--work hard,knock down as many miles as I can in a 70 hour/8 day period,save my money,and in about five years I plan to pay cash for the truck I want.I do not believe there are any viable short cuts to doing this and I will NEVER opt for a lease/purchase plan.
Answer:
You can pay case for that truck. Their are many was to do it. A lease has its good sides. A lease is also one of the best tax write downs you can take, if you need it. The bad thing about most leases/OO programs is the low pay .84 a mile. Even with your own truck you will make about the less than a company guy. I enjoy takeing off a week at X-MASS, Thanks Giving, plus two weeks each summer(not counting the 4 days a month). I would not want to have to worry about the truck not generating income.
Truck Payment .15
Fuel .25
Road tax .01
maintanance escrow.05
we are at .46 already. That leaves you what? .38 cents a mile to pay insurance, income TAXES, workmans comp, ssi, Qual com, and we havn't gotten to plates, or permits(which most carriers provide). Hopefully the truck dosn't break down. The 5 cents a mile will cover oil and grease with belts, but a real break down?
I think I would rather stay a company guy and make the 41 cents a mile and only have to pay halve my workmans comp and ssi. Good Luck
A REAL owner op with their own truck, trailer and 1.70+ mile loads will make money.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
The only real way to make money as a L/P operator is if.........

• You're single
  
• You are debt free
  
• You "live" in the truck, 24/7
  
• You monitor what you spend each week

NEVER "BUY" FROM THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!!!!
The ONLY THINGS I've ever "bought" from the company I was leased to are;

• Logistics straps (at reduced rates lower than the local retailer could sell them for)
  
• Insurance (it's easier & more convenient to "buy" the company policy)
  
• Parts & Labor (I was able to get parts at their cost and labor at $25 p/man hour.

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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)


Answer:
Prime you can bring your own truck to the table and get screwwed that way too
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
daytrader,
You did'nt read my post very carefully did you?Let me try and explain it with word that everyone might understand.A lease/purchase plan through a company that you work for is a high risk pursuit.You are NOT an O/O---you are making payments on a truck that belongs to the company you work for---PERIOD.If you decide at some point that you want to go to work for another company;you can not take that truck with you and you will LOSE every dime that you have invested in said truck.In my post I said I am saving my money to do it the right way and I believe it will take me approximately five years to accumulate the funds to pay cash for a truck.I am single,with no children,and my home is paid for--so my monthly expenses are minimal.When I have the money I will buy a truck outright-no lease/purchase for me ever and that being said I would not even consider backing under a load for .84cpm.I have done a considerable amount of research into the lease/purchase plan and have decided that this is not a sound business decision from my point of view.However,for those that choose to pursue a lease/purchase then again I say do it through a program like Select Trucks(Freightliner)offers---you take your money and make a downpayment on a used truck(hopefully in good condition)with a warranty and then lease on with the company of your choice and if things do not go as planned with that company then you can move on to another and you get to take the truck with you because you are in an Independent Lease Agreement.At the end of your lease there will be a baloon payment due on the truck and you must pay that off to get the clear title or refinance the remaining balance.I think I have done my homework on this subject and I just do not see any benefits from trying to be a faux O/O by getting into a Lease/Purchase plan.I believe it spells almost certain failure and maybe a bankruptcy to boot.If you want to become an O/O then do it right--save your money and buy a truck.But you guys can do it however you want to.
The Governor
Answer:
Now we all know that noone can make any money leasing your truck from the company you are leased to, but what if you bring your truck to the table with everything except the trailer? How about financing a truck worth $65000 for like $1300 a month, can you make money then?
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen