Question:
I am about to tell you a story. Its a sad, twisted tale, of an ever ongoing process. The person in the story is a close friend of mine, whom I have some sympathy for, tho not alot. I love the guy like a brother, but were he my brother, he would know better. I will change his name for his protection.
I have been at Swift for over 5 years. I did 4 1/2 as a company driver, and now 9 months as an outside hire at Swift. (which is a fancy term for having bought my truck at Freightliner, not Swift) I learned alot about this company, and most of the time, am able to put their rules to my use. Last year, I was working on a dedicated fleet, where I met this guy. His name is 'Mark'.
He was kind of quick to temper, but always good at heart. He had been a company driver for 2 years, before he decided to buy a truck. He consulted me on many things, (and still does) so I told him I could get him squared away with a nice Freightliner Classic, from Indy Freightliner, where I got the 2 I have. I could get my sales guy to knock some off the price, plus I get the finders fee.
Well, he wants to buy a KW from a local truck sales place, not a dealer. They give him a price, and he hemm and hawws about it, and it goes back and forth, till I reason to him that they, (the sales place) want to make a profit, to justify their existence. If he gets a repo from a dealer, they will want to make some money too, but more to get rid of the truck. They made it, they didnt want it back.
Finally, he just 'has' to have a Peterbilt. So he goes to Dallas Pete, and buys one sight unseen. He is disappointed that the thing doesnt have a Texas style bumper on it, so I tell him to wheel and deal with the salesman, and finally, he gets one. So here he is in Dallas with a Pete, and his wife. The next day is Weds I believe, and he then starts the paperwork process with Swift, which is 4 days or so, depending on the permits. By Friday, him and Swift, neither one have their act together, so he bobtails home from Dallas out of his own pocket. (to California) Instead of going to Phoenix and waiting, he is pissed, and just wants to go home. Finally, the next week, all is squared away, and he is leased on. He runs a week with no Qualcomm, and loves the left lane, so he runs at a high rate of fuel consumption, because he feels he is a 'Chicken Hauler' now. (its the whole thinking and knowing thing) A week later he gets his puter put in, and is suckered into a $180 bracket to hold his satellite because he doesnt want it on top of his sleeper.
Swift has a speed policy on O/O's because we are dragging their trailer. (the decals peel off at 70mph ) But, he still gets out and mashes on it, saying he hasnt been to orientation, so 'technically' he doesnt know what the policy is. (even tho he signed for it in his contract)
While he is out running around hell nell, he wants to be home every week or so. Ok, and it is possible, but unreasonable for the west coast driver who runs east and back. (like myself) He gets to KCMO, and there is no freight, so he allows the company to deadhead him 450+ miles to Memphis, where there is freight. (at .625$ mind you) When he gets their, he is pissed off. Then they tell him (in his words) 'Here is your local load, go to it!'
Well, he is pissed to go that far to do local. (which while this is the norm, you do them a favor, they give you a long run to back it up. A help me/help you thing) So he gets huffy with the planner and tells him not so eloquently that 'He is an Owner Operator and he doesnt do no piddlyassed local work.' The planner screws him and makes him sit all day and night. Late that night, he gets a run to Dallas.
As an employee at Swift, you know that westbound freight from Texas is a myth. Its North or East, but not West. Anyways, he gets stuck down there for two days, the loads the asked him to get, both cancelled. He got $40 for layover, because he got mouthy with the Texas planners, who decided to let him rot in Waco. (or somewhere in that area)
Again, in a huff, he deadheads back towards Cali. (at no pay now) So he gets to El Paso, and they give him a load. Well, he gets back to CA, but his DM reprimands him for his severe overspeed. (4 hours or more, over 77mph) Well, days later, the fleet manager gets ahold of him. After a long protracted argument, where Mark is again fuming, the FM see's this, pushes the right button, and terminates Marks contract. He is out of a job. (HA! fired from Swift!)
He goes to Landstar, gets in orientation in Reno. Has his wife, kids, and mother in law with him in the car. Halfway thru the first day, they take him out of class, telling him that 6 years ago, he had a 15+ over the speedlimit ticket, they cant take him on. (in his car)
Near tears, because he is literally broke, (Swift has 45 days to payback all funds for performance bond, etc. Plus, he then tells me he had 2 minor accidents, one a busted door, the other, he rubbed a guys trailer. He had to pay for those) now he is getting behind on his 1)home payment 2) new car payment 3)truck payment, so in desperation, he opens the phone book for Reno, and finds a broker in Fernly.
"Yea, I will hire you on at 82% of gross, my authority, your trailer and insurance. You can run a reefer to Jersey and back, or regional flatbed."
Having never pulled a skateboard before, thats what he opts for. (he pulled reefers with me at Swift)
The guy sends him (bobtail for free) to SLC for a trailer. A used 48' Reinke. Pretty decent trailer. 10' spread, two tool bokes, and a dump valve. He gives the last of any money he has to get this thing. The guy gets him hooked with an equipment company out there for his straps, binders, chains, and so on. No tarps. So the broker offers to order some for him. (said tarps cost over $900. I almost choked on this, because all they are, are 2, 8' drop lumber tarps with 3 rows of rings, and a flap. I could have given him a set if he had asked. I have two FULL sets, lumber, steel, smoke, bag, and glass. {yes, I used to carry all that crap on my truck})
He learns tie down the hard way. I see him a week later, and already 3 straps are coated in grease. 'Yea, I know, but this is such a dirty job.' he says.
After a bunch of crap, like a double brokered load that he cant haul, so he dont get paid, happens, he gets a check. After the fuel, and 'expense account' he gets $400. (for 2 weeks of running) I tell him the high rate of fuel consumption doesnt help.
Later, he has his wife and 1 kid on the truck. He gets a load from San Jose CA to Reno. The Reno to Vegas, and back to Reno. Then, from Fernly, he gets a load to San Antonio. But the wife dont want to go. Ok, so put her on the Amtrak for what, $60 at most, and send her home? The train runs right thru both towns. Nope! He drives them home in the truck, goofs a day off, THEN goes to San Antonio. He leaves Saturday night from CenCal, expecting to be in San Antonio Monday AM. Even I am not that big of a Billy Bigrigger.
A day late, they let him sit till Weds, and he loads Bee's to North Dakota. After getting stung 4 times, he gets there. After he empties, he reloads a 2 stopper to Missouri. Outside of Fargo (or whereever he was up there) he blows a tire on the front of the spread, on the trailer. Low on funds still, he buys a recap. (you see where this is going?)
He deadheads from MO to Pinckneyville IL (sp?) for a load to Reno. pays $2009 to the truck. (yet, when I spoke to the broker who swore to me he hauls nothing for anything less that $1.20 a mile to the truck)
Mark asks me whats the mileage difference to go down to Memphis, run 40 West, and back up to Reno.
'Why not go to St Louis, run 70 to Denver, up to 80, and on in?' I ask.
Well, he is worried about the weather. Hmmm....
So, I break out PC miler on the laptop, and put in his miles. 2400 and change I believe. I let the program do its thing, and it says 1970 something. (and it routes from 70 up to NE2, across at Lincoln, to 80, not to Denver)
Well, 450 miles isnt bad he says. I say no, your right. Thats 7 hours on a logbook, about an extra 100 gallons of fuel. "Yea, well...." he whines.
Ok, what are you getting paid?
$2009.
I break out the calculator. His miles, and my miles, versus pay. 'Gee Mark, your way pays .85$ to the truck, the puters pays $1.04. Plus your way has the extra time on the book, and the extra fuel.
Ahh, I see your point, he says.
While traveling north from KCMO, in the middle of BFI, he blows the previously purchased recap. Limping 18 miles, he somehow misses the exit for NE2 (and the 2 truck stops there) and finds a roadside tire shop. After they rape him for a new, $310 Firestone trailer tire, plus another $70 to put it on, he has $27 to make it home on for food.
He then goes to Council Bluffs, having missed his turn, then gets on 80. His trip home is quiet, and uneventful.
(except that the state of Oklahoma calls him, and tells him they need the other $1300 to finish the registration on his truck, or they wont issue it. He gets them the money, but then they tell him there is an additional $50 admin fee, and they need that too. Back to Western Union his wife goes)
He counted it out, and the 2 tires for the trailer he bought, cost him almost $600.
He still has no money set aside for maintenance. (A Maintenance fund for what?) or his money for taxes.
I told him when he goes broke, I would make the stroke on his trailer, they are only $375 a week. It would look good with my truck. (but I am a fair weather flatbedder, with super dooper refridgerated, clear tarps. )
I give him 3 more months if he is lucky.
Anyways, now that I have wasted alot of your time, the lesson is this. If your going to do this, be prepared to either a)be a smart business person to make smart moves, or b) have alot of money before you start. For cripes sake, use some common sense, ok?
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
'God is a comedian, playing to an audience, too afraid to laugh.'"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
"If your going to do this, be prepared to either a)be a smart business person to make smart moves, or b) have alot of money before you start."
My thinkin is... IF your a smart business man, you will have a lot of money before you start!
Being an O/O is the only occupation I know that you can make around 100 grand a year and go broke.

Answer:

There you go guys and gals. It takes more than knowing how to get on down the road to be a O/O. There are many valuable lessons in this story, please take note of them before you run out and lease or buy a truck! The way this guy is doing things, there should be bells and whistles ringing all over the place in his head.
RC, when they demand his truck back, let me know. I'm always looking for a deal.

Answer:
he loads Bee's to North Dakota How do you tarp bees? Can you use your refrigerated tarps?

Answer:
You could probably use a turf tarp to tarp bee hives. BOL

Answer:
Like we all know (or should by now), some guys get into this business for all the WRONG reasons.
I wish your friend well but, don't see how he is ever going to make it.
Happy trails...

Answer:
Bee hives!!!!!! Yeah, that would be a lot easier
I was thinking individual, refrigerated "B" tarps, using about 20 lb. test monafilament stapled to the deck to keep them in place. Of course, rubber bands would work as well.


Answer:
lots of them out there like him,all yelling we all need to shut down and how all the big companies are cutting the rates
10 year OOIDA member
semi-retired as of 3-22-2002
Answer:
Well, the sad thing is that he called me one day, complaining about how he cant make any money on the 70 hours, he needs to learn how to run 2 log books.
I told him that if he absolutely has to do it, then run a loose leaf book. I also very adamantly told him the fines about getting caught and if he is in an accident. He pays cash for his fuel, how would they know?
Because you knucklehead, they can do what ever they want. The truckstop that printed the reciept will tell them when you fueled, and the broker wont hang himself for you, so he is going to tell them everything they want to know. By then, if something happens, to him, all you will be is 'Mark who?'
So stop listening to the truckstop hillbillies, and be smart about it.
He proceedes to ask me how I make any money at Swift, with 70 hours.
Well, its the miles, and the drop and hook. I have maybe 2 sittings at a dock in 2 weeks. He always has to load and unload, since its his trailer.
I think I talked him out of it, but who knows???
I will add to this later, because believe me, there IS more.
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
'God is a comedian, playing to an audience, too afraid to laugh.'"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Okay I have some questions here.
Was the guy a hard runner (legally) before he decided to buy his own truck?
It seems like he got an attitude when he took on that responsibility.
And what about the truck? Did he put too much money in a truck starting out, before knowing how things were gonna go?
Kris

Answer:
A very good post on a very emotional subject. I talk to "Mark's" every day. There is a very big problem in this industry, with to easy credit, too little down, and too much trucker and not enough businessman. (ROADSTAR, Dec.2000 page 62)
RC, you seem very happy with the speed limit Swift puts on its trucks. The most money I made in trucking was in a truck that only went 57 miles per hour. You see I used to be a speed freak too. Boss caught me speeding one time to many. He was the best friend I ever had and also the man that taught me to drive. Speed does not make money. Persistence does.
Too many times I talk to people that WANT TO BE INDEPENDENT. Ok what does that mean? They have been in the truck for from 6 months up most with less than 5 years and most will have a very bad credit rating and are in debt up to their ears. They can't run their personal financial life but they will be able to run the business?
Why is it that some truckers make money and others go broke. I make a study of this years ago, but here is too much to put here. Besides I am in business to make money.
Think about it.
HAPPY MOTORING AND I WILL...SEE YOU AT THE TOP. russell
I will buy coffee at the TA or Petro

Answer:
One of the problems living where I do is that there are too many truckers living here. Everyone of them eventually gets sent to me for some advice, or at least it seems that way sometimes. It's not that I'm a great expert or anything like that, it's that many times I have a strange tendancy to use some common sence!
Last night I get a knock at the door. I open it to see some guy I have seen around the hood once in a while but never talked to before. He said his name was Joe, (Not real name,) and that Jack sent him to talk to me.
He has been driving for almost two years now for Cannon Express. (There are maybe three or four others out here that drive for them.) He has decided to become an O/O. Thats his first problem.
Secondly, he thinks that leasing a truck from Cannon is the way to go, though he has nothing but verbal promises to go on. I suggested talking to one of his own company's drivers after showing him some of the posts concerning lease purchase plans. The guy I tried to send him to had gotten into the program himself but opted out at the earliest chance.
Thirdly, he has no money at all, but this does not appear to be any problem for him.
To make matters worse, though he has been on the road for a bit, he has not bothered to learn anything about the industry. All he actually knows is that he is sent to "A", he goes there and is sent to "B", and so on. Nothing else. No business experience or apparant knowledge at all.
He was very upset that I told him he was making a big mistake with this decision. He said Jack told him the same thing. We are all against him and do not wish for him to succeed. We are all just looking out for ourselves and don't want him competeing with us.
He will be joining your buddy pretty soon I expect RC! He was routed to AR this morning to get the paperwork for the lease. He will not be consulting any atty's or accountants either, he knows what he is doing.
Please, to all the newbies who are thinking of one day becoming an O/O. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do so. The problem is going in with blinders on. Sure there are some great promises out there, but in the long run, those are empty and/or short lived.
Get an education. By this I mean, learn everything you can about the industry first, then learn it again. Learn some basic business practices as you will certainly be a businesman first and a driver second.
Talk to those who truly know. Learning to fail is too easy. Learning to succeed takes some hard work, knowledge and a lot of experience. I have made most mistakes I could have and still make a lot. The cost of learning this way is too great to sustain for long. Do it the right way. There are many who will help you along the way if you are not too proud to admit you need help or advice.
RC, keep us posted on your friends exploits! We can learn from other's mistakes as well.

Answer:
RC I think I know a few of your freinds CANADIAN RELATIVES.
RAMMAN been through that a few times myself with neighbours or their relatives, same results.

Answer:
krisb...
"Was the guy a hard runner (legally) before he decided to buy his own truck?
It seems like he got an attitude when he took on that responsibility.
And what about the truck? Did he put too much money in a truck starting out, before knowing how things were gonna go?"
Well, we were all dedicated, and we ran steady. He had never been OTR except with his trainer. But he did whine once in awhile. (we all did for that matter. 3 LA to Reno turns a week wore me out!) He thought he was getting a good deal on the truck, till I asked him what it all was. Seems like it was $8k down, and $1550 a month for 4 years. I remember that it came out to $82k and a bit, for a 1 year old truck, with 140k miles on it. Not bad for a Pete I guess. (I know what Freightliners are worth) Then, he gets his insurance thru Paccar, which brings his truck payment up to $1900 a month.
Russ...
"RC, you seem very happy with the speed limit Swift puts on its trucks."
Well, once in awhile it would be nice to stroll along at 80, but, the reality is that I get better fuel mileage, about 6.5 mpg with a Detroit turned up to 485, and a Super10 with 3.55 rears. If I had a 13 speed, I could do better. I have never had a speeding ticket in the truck, (one in the car a long time ago) and I had the crap scared out of me real bad. When I got my truck, the puter wasnt in it yet, so I ran all out from Indy to CA. While running at about 85 in the left lane. I reached down to grab my water bottle, and when I looked up again, I was at a curve in the road, headed for the center divide. Things happen alot faster at 75-80 than they do at 65-70.
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
'God is a comedian, playing to an audience, too afraid to laugh.'"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
You know, it never seems to amaze me. And now, for the rest of the story.
After he unloaded this last load in Reno, they gave him a load from Carson City NV, to San Jose. (this was Friday last) He calls me from Carson City, Friday afternoon late. He wants to know the truck route thru town. (?) I ask him how long he is, and he dont know. (he has a 260" Pete, with a 48' flat. His pin is at 18" (I think.I dont know, but it is very shallow) Anyways, I ask him to get out, measure it, and he can run across US 50 if he is under 65 foot overall. He doesnt have a tape measure. (as a skateboarder, you dont have a tape measure?!? Oh, he doesnt have hammer or nails, either. )
Ok, so go to the Super K, but you a 100 foot tape measure, measure it, and if your ok, go over 50.
Naw, screw all of that. Besides, the broker is going to dinner in Reno, and said I could come by.
Hmm, Friday, 3 day weekend, get out of town traffic...
How much do you weigh?
Well, he has 4 generators over the spread.The guy told him they are 7,000 apiece.28k on the spread. he has 2 more in the middle, and some pallets of something on the front. Im guessing he is near 45k.
I tell him to scale it before he leaves. 'No, Im allright, not a problem.'
3 hours later. rinnngggg, riinnnnggggg!
'Man, Im 41,720 on the spread, I cant go to Cali, what am I gonna do?!? (on a 10' spread, Cali allows 40k, but on the 4 axle grouping, that means you can have 28k on the drives)
Well, its 8pm on a Friday night, I doubt your going to find anything. What about where you loaded at?
No, they closed hours ago.
Ok, well, if you cant find a fork lift, you might have to get a wrecker to lift it so you can move the trailer under it.
Man, those (edited) lied to me about how much those generators weigh...
Well, I dont know what to tell ya bud...You could run 50, I bet the scales are closed.
No, I think I will run Feather River.
Thats 65 foot overall too, I thought...
No, some driver says its not, and I can do it.
(mind you, he is going to CenCal to go home for the weekend. Feather River Canyon runs east/west, north of I80)
Well, if you have to run around, slide the long way down 395 to 58 and across, back to the house...
I'll figure it out, call ya later.
Saturday afternoon, he calls, he made it home. He ran around the coops, tho I didnt ask which way. But he is going to go an extra 70 more miles to borrow a big forklift, rescale the load, so he can go to San Jose with it.
I will keep this updated.
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
'God is a comedian, playing to an audience, too afraid to laugh.'"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division