Question:
Just wondering, would it be a bad idea to start out in trucking with my own truck? If so, what companies are good to work for as an O/O? Is there more $$$, options, ,loads, going that route, or not? Just looking for advice, thanks all........

Answer:
I would suggest getting your trucking legs under you first. There is a lot to learn at first without trying to worry about running a business too. On the job training and a number of things you need to get squared away first. Seeing if you like the industry first???

Answer:
Bad bad bad idea to buy a truck when you are just starting.
Are you real sure you going to stick with it... statistics say that only 1 out of every 4 new drivers stick with it.
It is a lot easier to get out of trucking if you don't have a $100,000+ piece of equipment that needs to be sold.
Learn on someone else's equipment and save your pennies first.

Answer:
When I origanialy got into trucking I too thought that being an O/O was the way to go.. that is till I looked behind the scenes.
There is soooooo much you need to know to be successful. The driving part is the easiest. The fuel taxes you have to file each quarter, accounting.(who is going to be your representative to work on those stubborn accounts that refuse to pay their bill on time.)
I spent 12 hrs. doing fuel taxes with an O/O one Sun. it was a nightmare.. (true there was a lot to be desired in the record keeping department)
Plus to be an O/O you need to have deep pockets even to contemplate getting started as an O/O.. The banks are real tight with their $$ now.. 20% down on a truck seems to be the norm.
Now figure in tags at somewhere around $1600.. insurance, fedaral highway use tax, the 20% down is just a start. You need to have more for that rainey day that WILL come.
I saved up over $20,000 and am looking to get into being an O/O and the more I look at it , somehow it doesn't seem to be enough of a cushion hehe
Best bet is to getinto a decent outfit and see if you like it. Happy trucking !!
When you think you've reached the end of your rope.. Tie a knot and hang on!

Answer:
Give it five years, learn, make mistakes see if you still want to drive! Put back money. You choose an amount. $500.00, $1000.00 a month, you decide. Then if you still want to o\o, you haven't lost time, you now have money to invest in your truck. This puts you ahead of the game!!
GOOD LUCK!!

Answer:
Not a very "bright" idea.
http://www.partners-in-business.com/

Answer:
When I started almost 20 years ago I bought my own truck, and ran LTL freight line haul..Then had to get a 2nd job running LTL delivery to pay the bills.Was this legal??NOPE but I made it look like it was, 2 different companys and neither of them knew I was running both ends..
Always had grease under my finger nails cause the old truck needed ALOT of work all the time, but I made it through it and now am doing very well with myself.. I dont drive much now, I have to put 3000 miles on per year to keep Ins. company happy(what a joke).
Times are alot different now from back then, I was paid .89 cpm ( more than some make now) and they paid my fuel tax and did ALL the filing of paper work..I did well with starting out with not a dime, had no place to live or call home and every thing I owned fit in 1 duffle bag.. I even got the out of date food just to have a bit in my belly..Times were tough for me then...
But I fought the system by not giving up, I loved the Trucking business and was gonna make it or die.... My advise now would be to run for a company for 1 year and see if you like it or not, I do not know who would even hire you as an O/O without 6 months to a year exp. any ways..
Back when I started I had to wear gloves to unhook the airlines/pigtail from the trailor for the oil slinging from my motor (I said it was old) coated the front of the trailor real nice, truck was dripping oil from the frame rails and all, but that was all I could buy back then, DOT would park that truck (or burn it) and toss my butt in Jail for sure now a days....
Trucking now a days is like getting married, take your time and make sure it is for you!!!
Good luck on your choice and just work and lump all your loads, so you can keep all the $$$ and BE CAREFUL!!!!

Answer:
probably the only way you could pull it off is if you a friends who are o/o,s who would let you ride with them to show you the biz and get in with their company and then help you out if you have problems.
I see this going on right now with different ethnic groups. I seen Polish and Russian o/o's doing this but they have a good support group. I work with a Polish buy right now who bought a truck and started running Chicago(for some reason Polish guys love that Chicago run) and spoke no English at all. There are sea container co's that do this too. There are dealers that will sell you one without exp also all they need to see is a contract for work.
Its not impossible but you need a lot of support

Answer:
I started the same way Sunrunner did. 23 years ago the jobs were locked up by teamsters and you had to know someone to get a book and drive. I bought a single axle 68 IH 2000 and started trucking the difference is when I started you did not have to take a drivers test! You merely needed an o/o to state that you drove for him for 6 months! That was it....... heres your license.

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I sure did enjoy it back then, but enjoy my pay better now!!

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like a Smart A$$ but are you sure you even want to be a truck driver, Or do you have this fantasy of driving around town in a big shinny Pete!!
The first thing you need to do is get a CDL go out in a company truck and learn to drive..Just having a CDL does not make you a truck driver.
And forget all the stories about all the money you can make as a owner operator to start out with.
You have to crawl before you can walk..

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Why all the SMART *** comments? Can a person not just get their questions answered? Geez, I just post what questions I have. I have alot of questions because it will be a huge career move, and I want to be sure of it before I make the huge change. Can a guy not ask alot of questions? Why would i be asking all these questions if i wasnt sure i wanted to be a trucker? Come on now, im not some two year old living in la la land.......

Answer:
Lattimer, do not let it bother you most of the repilies are coming from people that can even help themselfs yet alone others. Do as much research as you can there are plenty of outlets for this on the web also go ask a few drivers in person that can help too. They are less likly too tear you down because the are not hiding behind the computer. If this is what you want to do keep reaching for the facts and it will happen if its what you want. Also keep asking and posting. Read between the bad posts and you will see some good info will shine on thru. best of luck to you . You can also email me If you have any more ?s seeee yaaaa P.S. sunrunner wheres my email / What a deal.......
sandpiperx

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You gots mail!!!!!!
Lattimer,
You dont like what is said?? What do YOU WANT to HEAR then????

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My answer to your question is..
YES,it is a bad idea
'the pineapples are here!'