Operating authority

[Double L]

Where do I even begin.......Let's see I been doing some major thinking, as alot of you may know I've always had this determination to start my own business. I been thinking about getting intrastate authority until I turn 21 and then maybe get interstate authority, as of right now I plan on taking co-op and saving up the money I make from that since I don't have any money to do this yet. So I may do this next year but I plan on getting my CDL this summer when I turn 18. I already know what I want in a truck, I'd more than likely spec my truck with 3.36 rears with a 13spd with a sleeper pulling a flatbed and/or a stepdeck. I'd like to haul steel from East St. Louis, IL to Chicago, IL or anywhere in Illinois. Can't forget building materials and/or stuff for John Deere, but that may require a stepdeck which I'd rather have over the flatbed but I remember readin somewhere that alot of steel mills won't load stepdecks or something like that. I'm still doing my homework on this so I'm not gonna jump in it right away but this is something I've always wanted to do. Hell the economy isn't really helping matters none at all!

[BigDiesel]

Graduate High School, turn 18, 19, 20, 21 years of age and during that time go to college.... You are putting the cart wayyyyyyy in front of the horse.....

[Double L]

I plan on it! Plan on taking diesel mechanics at UTI and get a bachelors in business. By the time I'm done with high school I'll already have an advantage cause most of my classes we're computer and business related in some way!

[Roadhog]

Steer clear of wimmin for a while, and you'll have a better chance at having your own Operating Authority. ...in more 'n one way

Here's your first test.....steer clear...steer clear!
...ohhhh.... BRACE FOR IMPACT! :?

[Double L]

But the only thing is that is really holding me back is one more year of high school BUT........... It'll benefit me cause I plan on taking co-op doing something with office work so I'll get a feel on how a business operates, it may not be trucking though but it may be at Olin-Brass, I'm sure alot of you steel haulers have heard of them. http://www.olin.com/ Other than that I can't wait to follow my dream but at the same time I need to get my diesel mechanics in so I may have to put it on hold for an addition year unless I can go part time then I'll go for it since I plan on going to UTI in Chicago for the diesel mechanics. So that scholarship isn't going to waste!

[Double L]

Graduate High School, turn 18, 19, 20, 21 years of age and during that time go to college.... You are putting the cart wayyyyyyy in front of the horse.....

Whats wrong with thinking ahead? Atleast I plan on getting a degree in diesel mechanics, you know I had this dream since I was a little kid and I'm not gonna let you stop me, people like you just make me more determined with ignorant comments like that. Honestly I don't see the point in getting a degree in business if I plan on taking accounting, business tech, and working in a business setting for co-op. I don't see why I should waste thousands of dollars for a degree when I can do that stuff for FREE in high school. The only thing I feel that is worth taking is the diesel mechanics cause I'll save myself alot of money on repairs in my opinion and I don't plan on getting married or having kids anytime soon so more money for me. Don't get me wrong going to college is a good thing but I already got a plan in mind. You know common sense will tell any new owner operator/small business owner not to buy a fancy owner op spec truck with chrome and lights, I need to save on all the money I can and a simple fleet truck would fit the bill cause I'm not wasting time and money keeping it polished. I'm about making money so for the first couple years all the money I'm gonna make is going into the company and I don't see the need to have lights and chrome, that doesn't bring in the paycheck. I'm sure GMAN and Steve Booth will back me up on this. Only chrome I plan on adding would be helf fenders and on the mudflaps. Can't forget a set of straight pipes as well!

[Cluggy619]

Graduate High School, turn 18, 19, 20, 21 years of age and during that time go to college.... You are putting the cart wayyyyyyy in front of the horse.....

Whats wrong with thinking ahead? Atleast I plan on getting a degree in diesel mechanics, you know I had this dream since I was a little kid and I'm not gonna let you stop me, people like you just make me more determined with ignorant comments like that. Honestly I don't see the point in getting a degree in business if I plan on taking accounting, business tech, and working in a business setting for co-op. I don't see why I should waste thousands of dollars for a degree when I can do that stuff for FREE in high school. The only thing I feel that is worth taking is the diesel mechanics cause I'll save myself alot of money on repairs in my opinion and I don't plan on getting married or having kids anytime soon so more money for me. Don't get me wrong going to college is a good thing but I already got a plan in mind. You know common sense will tell any new owner operator/small business owner not to buy a fancy owner op spec truck with chrome and lights, I need to save on all the money I can and a simple fleet truck would fit the bill cause I'm not wasting time and money keeping it polished. I'm about making money so for the first couple years all the money I'm gonna make is going into the company and I don't see the need to have lights and chrome, that doesn't bring in the paycheck. I'm sure GMAN and Steve Booth will back me up on this. Only chrome I plan on adding would be helf fenders and on the mudflaps. Can't forget a set of straight pipes as well!

Kid, I admire your Get-R-Done attitude. Here is a thought for you. Get your schooling done first. That includes your trade course. Then try driving as a company driver for a OTR company to get the feel of the industry. After a couple of years, miles on the road, and diesel in your blood, the go buy your rig, and have at it. You'll be thankful you did with the experience to back you up when you go O/O. And your insurance rates will be drastically lower with a couple of years under your belt. Call around for rates.....

If you change your mind while your a company driver, think of all of the extra money you will have to try something else, instead of wasting it on buying a rig before you know what you really want.

When I was 17, I wanted to become a fireman. Still could if I wanted to. I also stated I would never marry........got married at 18, and still married for over 22 years.

When you decide to go on your own, you will find it's a different world. And things change is mere seconds.

Many people have learned to drive a truck. Very few become truck drivers.

Good luck.:wink:

RoadHog, is that a hicky on her belly?

[Double L]

Thank ya Cluggy, I think what I should do is work for a year as a diesel mechanic then take the ASE test so I can be certified and by that time I should have plenty of money saved up by then! 8) :wink:

[Roadhog]

:wink:
RoadHog, is that a hicky on her belly?

..er maybe axle grease from Double ELL's greasy paws ...

[Double L]

Your a trip Roadhog, pretty much in a nutshell I know I want to be a flatbed carrier with a more fleet truck feel but with stainless half fenders and mirrors along with the stainless antisail piece for the mudflap. I plan on running the super singles as well!

[Roadhog]

with stainless half Benders and mirrors along with the stainless antisail piece for the mudflap.

"Bite my shiny metal ass!"
"Tempers are wearing thin. Let's hope some robot doesn't kill everybody."
"I'm gonna go build my own theme park! With blackjack and hookers! In fact, forget the park!"
"Let's face it, comedy's a dead art form. Tragedy, now that's funny."
"I was thinking Benderbrau if it's an ale, Botweiser if it's a lager. "

[gmh]

Steer clear of wimmin for a while, and you'll have a better chance at having your own Operating Authority. ...in more 'n one way

Here's your first test.....steer clear...steer clear!
...ohhhh.... BRACE FOR IMPACT! :?

Uhh, hmm... Umm... Was there a discussion going on here somewhere?

[gmh]

:wink:
RoadHog, is that a hicky on her belly?

..er maybe axle grease from Double ELL's greasy paws ...

I think I'm gonna have to give it a level 2 inspection to be sure.

[Double L]

More than likely my first truck is gonna be a Volvo for these reasons:

1. Safety features

2. Fuel Milage

3. Comfort

4. Quality

5. Reliability

[BanditsCousin]

My buddy is head/lead tech at U.S. Express (graduate of UTI 5 years ago) and according to him, you are off on #4 and #5.

Curious, where will you get the bachelors in business admin from? Thats a 4 year degree?

If you wann truck now, you can always go my route. Bust your ass in college and drive in the summers. I did for 2 summers otr, and did p/t during the schoolyear, while balancing classes. You seem hell bent like I was, so either way you'll find your way in a truck and a semi-success like I have become lol

[GMAN]

I would go ahead and get my degree. You may be able to get your CDL, but may not find an insurance company who will cover you until you at least reach 21 or 23. Some won't cover a driver until he is 25. I know that sounds like a long time, but it will pass before you know it. While you can run intrastate before reaching 21 years of age, you may find it difficult to find enough freight staying in Illinois. A lot of steel goes in and out of Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin, as well as Illinois. I understand your impatience, but when you get in too much of a hurry, you make mistakes.

I suggest you sit down and set up your goals and a time table. You may already have done that. You need to be realistic in setting goals. It is important to have contingency plans should your original not work. Your first priority should be to get your education. You can get your CDL while you complete your education. You will be much better prepared to be successful after you complete your education. If you go to college year around, you can complete your bachelors degree in about 3 years or less. If you want to gain some practical experience while attending school, then you could do like BanditsCousin suggested and drive during the summers. Don't cut yourself short by not completing your education before embarking on a career. Trucking may not last. Anything can happen to cut your driving career short. You could fall off the truck and get hurt, get diabetes or some other disease that would prevent you from driving. We never know what can happen along life's path. It is critical to prepare yourself for the worst that can happen. If you have a degree and can't drive, you can still earn a decent living. It is difficult to find a good paying job without an education. High school doesn't cut it, in most cases. Companies look for those with degree's. Hopefully, you will be able to drive for as long as you want. If not, then you have prepared yourself for a new career.

Do what ever YOU want to do. People have been telling me my whole life things I can't do and they were all wrong. Do whatever makes you happy and don't just accept someone saying it can't be done.

Learning to be a diesel mechanic and driving your own rig sounds like a winning combination.

From your witting style you don't sound like a dummy so I'm sure you'll do fine in what ever you decide.

[Mack2]

Double L good luck with the owner operator thing. I want to eventually own my own group of trucks but I'm going to try and drive for someone for atleast two years befor I start.

Volvo's are for girly men. You need a real truck.

This here is what I would like to eventually own.

[Roadhog]

I agree with Double L.
He wants to be a Tradesman....and I see absolutely nothing wrong with that choice.

That was the choice I made early in life also.
I knew what I wanted, and I set out to do it, and did it.

I encouraged Double L in PM to train himself in more than one Trade.
That is what I did. I started Firefighting at age 16, and later picked up an EMT license. I began working in Farming and Construction from an even earlier age. I worked every summer/vacation/and weekends. By age 27 I was a Michigan licensed Builder. I retired from Construction, and took up Trucking 7 years ago. This Spring I am retiring from Fire/Rescue, and just looking to Truck for the next 7 years, then fully retire.

A Tradesman is NEVER out of work...unless he wants to be. Back in 1974 when Michigan unemployment rate was at Depression standards, I was still able to find regular work. People with college degrees were digging through garbage cans...and stealing from their Grandma.

[Double L]

Now my next question is whether to Incorporate or LLC. BanditsCousin I plan on getting my business degree at the local community college. I already have college credits from taking duel credit courses so I may just go for the associates which is only 60 credit hours but by the time it's said and done I should only need to get 44 credits if I remember correctly. I don't remember how much the bachelors degree is but I'm gonna be lazy and just get the associates for the time being and if I need the bachelors then I'm gonna go get that if need be. But I don't remember if the local community college even offers business classes online or not.