Question:
I posted the following over on the O/O forum as a reply to a member that wants to do the O/O thing.
People! This is something that you must VERY CAREFULLY CONSIDER!
Being a "Jack of all trades" won't help you much. You have to know EXACTLY what you are doing in order to succeed!
Anyways, here's the post:
*****************************************************
Why do you want to be a O/O?
Are you nuts?
Sure, you get to own your own truck, go where you want to go (for the most part). Ya take the shorter runs and get no miles or $$. Ya take the longer runs, plenty of miles and more $$.
The problem is, when you think you are doing pretty good, the damn truck breaks. Keep in mind now, every time you put it in a shop, it'll most likely cost you at least $500! If they don't fix it correctly the first time, you go to another shop (because the original shop is now 1000 miles behind you), add at least ANOTHER $500! (because this shop WILL NOT honor the other shops warranty for whatever reason, they'll find a reason too!)
OK, truck is running fine now. You hit the road on your way to your destination. BOOM!!! Ya just blew a front drive tire and it took out the quarter fender, when it came out the back, it took the lightbar, mud flap hanger and mud flap too!
So now you add 1 quarter fender (can you just buy 1? I doubt it), a light bar, a mudflap hanger and mudflap. Plus the overinflated price of a damn near wore out used tire. Well, there's probably $1200 in parts and labor right there (if you can get ahold of just 1 quarter fender).
The stuff you just read above is minor stuff and also is fiction, but it can happen all to quickly! What are ya gonna do when you have to sit in Rawlins WY (or where ever) for 9 days having a major inframe overhaul done? That week I spent there 2 years ago, damn near put me out of business because I couldn't afford to pay cash for the work I had done. Good thing my banker likes me.
Trust me, those of us that have been out here a while can tell you. It isn't as "peachy" as you might think.
Whatever you do though........DO NOT engage in a Lease / Purchase Agreement with the carrier you work for! You make them mad at you and they'll starve you right out of that truck and into bankruptcy court.
I hope you have at least $10,000 (on top of what you need for a down payment), sitting in a bank somewhere if you do get a truck.
BTW, with the way that fuel has sky rocketed the last month or 2, it now costs me about $250 more per round to Los Angeles and back.
If you're a company driver, stay one! I'd hate to hear you come back crying because you didn't listen to our advice.
Oh yeah, BTW, I just dropped $1,759 this morning on a new license plate for the next year.
Trucks are in no way, shape or form, cheap to maintain or run!
Good Luck on whatever you decide.
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
Ah-Ha. I didn't think it was the SSRS, so it was IRP.
Don't those acronymns just drive you crazy?
John Q.
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues. "If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
I just sit down and do a little math and every time it cures me of it real fast because 2+2 seems to always equal -1 (on a good week), and if you are wanting to become an O/O and dont know exactly what numbers go where then you are definately lost before you begin.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Originally posted by John Q. Public:
Ah-Ha. I didn't think it was the SSRS, so it was IRP.
Don't those acronymns just drive you crazy?
Yep, it was the IRP. Yes those acronyms can and do drive ya nuts.
John Q. I thanked you yesterday for bringing that to my attention, but anyways thanks again.
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
Sorry Hoss, don't get a chance to read post as often as I should. I noticed your comments after I visited here.
I go:
1. Law Forum
2. Safety Forum
3. Newbies Forum
4. Drivers Round Table
John Q.
Disclaimer: The views posted are those of the author. The accuracy of the rules posted are subject to the status of rules and regulations posted by the GPO and other Government Agencies. The author accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies of any posted regulation or interpretation. Readers should seek legal counsel for all legal issues. "If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
I've been running for a very small company for 14 months now. I know every penney that has been spent on my truck, fuel, repairs, insurance, taxes, plates etc.. We averaged right at $1.05 per mile last year. That aint great by any means.
I run the truck like it was mine. Watching what I do and saving every penny I can. Knowing what I know you could not talk me into buying a truck right now. Either rates have to go up or cost, mainly fuel, has to go down. Even insurance, licenses and every thing else seems to be rising. Seems like truck stops are charging a little more for everything, sodas and coffee included. Everything goes up except rates.
I can't imagine how someone leased on at 80 some cpm can even pay themselves 25cpm. I know for a fact there have been weeks I was paid for that the owner lost money. I would love to own my own TT with my own authority but can't see a profit in it at-least not right now. So I'll just keep on being a driver doing what I do and make some money.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
I have 1 driver who has been with us a little over 2 years and is anxious to be an O/O. This afternoon he was here to pickup his pay cheque and asked about maybe buying a truck.
I asked him what his plans were for the weekend , well he is going out for the evening and then tomorrow going snowmobiling and to a party , Sunday going to watch the NASCAR race and get ready to head out Monday afternoon.
Told him to do a bit of thinking of what the weekend would be if he owned the truck he drives ( 99 FRLR CLASSIC ).
It is going in tonight for a top end setup , 2 new steering tires, drives rotated and a wheel balance and alignment. Also since it was the 1st of the month last Saturday he would of had to make a truck payment on top of the fuel he used the past 2 weeks. The fact that he turned down 1 trip 2 weeks ago would figure in as well as the $ would be a bit slim.
He thought for a few minutes and came up with " GEE NEVER thought of it in that manner ".