Okay, since getting into a lease deal sucks so bad......

[Kevin0915]

I was thru our terminal in Richmond the other day, and while doing a load of laundry, i saw an ad for a guy looking for a team or solo driver to drive his 2009 T-2000. I thought about calling him up to ask for the particulars, but wanted to ask for (GOOD) opinions regarding driving someones truck leased on to the same company??

I would like to think the pay would be a little better, and maybe the miles, but who knows.

[sgreer78]

Then you have to hope he/she actually pays you, you probably get no benefits, and you'll be pushed harder than any dispatcher would ever think about pushing you....all to make someone else money. Stick to driving the company truck and be glad you have steady income.

[mike3fan]

I have worked for 4 different O/O's leased on to various companies such as Landstar and Jones Motor, I liked working for them better than being a straight company driver. I was basically my own boss getting my own loads and dealing with the agents just like a O/O myself. My pay was always based on a percentage and this is the only way I think it works.

Look I'm gonna be blunt with you I don't see how anyone can make it at Swift as a O/O, so I surely don't think you could put a driver in a truck and pay him a decent wage and make any profit. Now this may not mean anything to you cause all your looking for is a better paying job, but what happens in 6 mos. when he no longer makes his payments and loses his truck?

Kevin 8 mos. or whatever it is that you have isn't nearly enough time to get your head wrapped around all the things you should look for in a new job or truck ownership at this time. I still suggest getting your 2 years in without changing jobs, and keep your eyes open and keep talking to other drivers and make your next move with a well informed perspective. There really is no shortcuts in this deal, many have tried all the things you have asked on this forum and almost all find that it doesn't work out like they think it will. Getting experience at the expense of others (company driver) and taking it slow will be the best shot at making it successfully.

[Windwalker]

I've heard a number of horror stories about driving for an O/O, that is leased onto a company. Some will pay you and be very straight with you. But there is also the flip-side of the coin. I've heard guys complain that they weren't paid for a couple of weeks at a time.

You need a few years and a bit more savy before you dip your big toe into that one.

[dobry4u]

I've heard a number of horror stories about driving for an O/O, that is leased onto a company. Some will pay you and be very straight with you. But there is also the flip-side of the coin. I've heard guys complain that they weren't paid for a couple of weeks at a time.

I know a Swift O/O that cheats his drivers every chance he can. I hope you get some references if you chose to do this.

[dle]

Have you ever wondered why you keep seeing those little flyers all over the terminals?

From what I've been able to find out
These shafters, bought or leased the trucks, they need warm bodies to drive them. The last person they were successful in conning into it - found out what crooks they were and left. Out of about 15 'owners" that I talked to or about only 3 were working out.

To get on with one of these people you will loose your company driver status (Hello your insurance benefits will be gone) you will have to pay your taxes (Hello your a Small Business Owner). You will have to qualify to be a Lease/Operator.

Wait at least a year. Start thinking like a bussiness owner and analyze what it would be like to be an L/O. Drop what all of these L/O say about how much money they are making. put the numbers into a spreadsheet and figure out what you will get in the end.

[Syncrosonix]

most of those jerk-offs don't pay their drivers. one of my friends is still owed $4900, and the truck he was driving had been repossessed. oh yeah, you'll end up having to pay back your student loan because you'll lose your "company driver" status.

[Jackrabbit379]

If you want to drive for an owner operator, I would go with someone that you know. That's if you know anyone who owns their own truck.

[ordinaryguy]

say goodbye to your student loan repayments and your health insurance more than likely...hopefully you have a good back, because you might be bending over for it heh

[Kevin0915]

say goodbye to your student loan repayments and your health insurance more than likely...hopefully you have a good back, because you might be bending over for it heh

well, not to mention that i'm on the accelerated pay program (whatever that means)....but i'm paid in a timely fashion. It wouldn't go well if i ran 3,000 miles, only got paid for 2,000, only because there was a problem with paperwork on the other 1,000. and having to wonder if my next paycheck would 'catch me up' would get a little irritating after while.

but as far as the student loan thing goes, i would only owe $37.50 for each week up to the 13 month date. I really dont care to have 100% of my schooling paid for by Swift. I want to meet the 13 month 'break even' date, and then move on.

[repete]

Kevin, I learned the hard way about business I had almost 20 years in the auto body biz and was tired of "making money for someone else" so I stuck out on my own. After 3 years of feast or famine (mostly famine) I said enough is enough. Morel of the story? Just cause you can do the job , that doesn't make you a business man!
I understand you want to be your own boss and make more money , but sometime's the two just don't go hand in hand. Think long and hard on this one. BTW your student loan would probably be due IN FULL if you quit

[Syncrosonix]

but as far as the student loan thing goes, i would only owe $37.50 for each week up to the 13 month date. I really dont care to have 100% of my schooling paid for by Swift. I want to meet the 13 month 'break even' date, and then move on.

no, you will owe in full with asinine interest. your "company driver" status will go *poof* if you decide to become an l/o or drive for one of those suckers.

[ordinaryguy]

just let him do it, some people have to learn the hard way heh

[GMAN]

Kevin, I learned the hard way about business I had almost 20 years in the auto body biz and was tired of "making money for someone else" so I stuck out on my own. After 3 years of feast or famine (mostly famine) I said enough is enough. Morel of the story? Just cause you can do the job , that doesn't make you a business man!
I understand you want to be your own boss and make more money , but sometime's the two just don't go hand in hand. Think long and hard on this one. BTW your student loan would probably be due IN FULL if you quit

You make a good point, repete. I have known some good drivers who simply were not cut out to be in business. They just could not quite make it as an owner operator. It sounds like a simple thing to go from a company driver to owner operator. For the most part it is simple. You run into problems when you try to make a profit. There have been some who have posted on this forum who have leased or bought a truck and just could not make it. I have had both working for me. The only way that I can see a lease work is for you to live in the truck and never stop running. Even then, it would be iffy. It makes so much more sense to save your money and buy a truck or get one through a legitimate leasing company. Payments will be much more manageable and you can leave your current carrier any time you wish and take the truck. When you lease from a carrier it is their truck. You only make the payments and pay the carrier a handling fee. It is still their truck. That will not change with most carriers. Few will allow you to actually buy the truck. Those who do will make it very difficult to complete the transaction.

There have been so many who have come to this board and wanted to become an owner operator.....at any cost. Although they were usually advised to avoid the company sponsored leases, many failed to listen and lost their shirts. I recall one who leased a truck and within a couple of months leased another against advice. It only took him a short time to lose both trucks and ruin his credit. The last time heard from him he was still running from his creditors.

Most people get into such a hurry to become an owner operator. Few will actually take the time to learn the business before putting their neck on the line. They are either unwilling or unable to save enough or a good down payment as a company driver to buy their own truck. Their credit is usually marginal or bad so they think the only hope they have to become an owner operator is to lease a truck from their carrier. Rather than work on improving their credit and saving money they will jump into one of these leases. If they don't have the discipline to save money and clear their credit then how do they think that they can make truck payments? Whether you lease or own you are making payments. If you spend a year or two saving money then you should have enough to at least put down a good down payment. If you are disciplined enough and have low overhead you could save enough to pay cash for a decent truck in a couple of years. Just think, if you can save $200 out of each paycheck for two years you should have over $20,000 put aside. That is enough to pay cash for a good truck. If you save for three years you can not only have enough to pay cash for your truck but also have enough for an emergency fund. In the mean time you are learning this business. If you can do this then your chance of success in almost assured. You still need to learn how to run a business, but when you start out with no payments and a good emergency fund you increase your chance for success exponentially.

[Orangetxguy]

I have worked for 4 different O/O's leased on to various companies such as Landstar and Jones Motor, I liked working for them better than being a straight company driver. I was basically my own boss getting my own loads and dealing with the agents just like a O/O myself. My pay was always based on a percentage and this is the only way I think it works.

Look I'm gonna be blunt with you I don't see how anyone can make it at Swift as a O/O, so I surely don't think you could put a driver in a truck and pay him a decent wage and make any profit. Now this may not mean anything to you cause all your looking for is a better paying job, but what happens in 6 mos. when he no longer makes his payments and loses his truck?

Kevin 8 mos. or whatever it is that you have isn't nearly enough time to get your head wrapped around all the things you should look for in a new job or truck ownership at this time. I still suggest getting your 2 years in without changing jobs, and keep your eyes open and keep talking to other drivers and make your next move with a well informed perspective. There really is no shortcuts in this deal, many have tried all the things you have asked on this forum and almost all find that it doesn't work out like they think it will. Getting experience at the expense of others (company driver) and taking it slow will be the best shot at making it successfully.

You just got the best advice you could ever listen too, right there Kevin.

Get your self a notebook. Start recording every dime you spend on yourself. Record every mile you drive. Record every drop of fuel you put into the truck you are driving as a company driver. Record the cost. Record motor oil and it's cost. Record service calls and their cost. At the end of each month, totalize everything.

After six month's, ask a couple of those Lease Operator's what their gross revenue numbers have been running, and compare their revenue, against your cost numbers. Then add in projected lease payments, taxes, licensing and insurance to the deal.

[Kevin0915]

no, you will owe in full with asinine interest. your "company driver" status will go *poof* if you decide to become an l/o or drive for one of those suckers.

You went thru the school long before i did (aug. 2008), and i will tell you, that the loan agreement has ZERO interest first off, and 2nd, i get to that 13 month benchmark, and tuition is PAID. They take out $75 each week, and of that, half is reimbursed. Once the 13 months is over, tuition is PAID. I continue another 13 months, and each week, i get the $37.50 back for those 13 months...after THAT 13 months, the school is totally FREE. Trust me, it was discussed over and over the first day of class, not to mention i've re-read it 100 times during those 3 weeks of school, AND even had my recruiter and HIS supervisor email me telling me the same thing.

Explain how i would still owe for schooling once it was paid for after 13 months, and the 2nd 13 months they REPAY me $37.50, how i would somehow OWE that. Granted if i leave or become O/O that i would no longer get that $37.50 back (after the first 13 mo.)

Sorry, your loan agreement and mine are totally different.

[dobry4u]

You went thru the school long before i did (aug. 2008), and i will tell you, that the loan agreement has ZERO interest first off, and 2nd, i get to that 13 month benchmark, and tuition is PAID. They take out $75 each week, and of that, half is reimbursed. Once the 13 months is over, tuition is PAID. I continue another 13 months, and each week, i get the $37.50 back for those 13 months...after THAT 13 months, the school is totally FREE. Trust me, it was discussed over and over the first day of class, not to mention i've re-read it 100 times during those 3 weeks of school, AND even had my recruiter and HIS supervisor email me telling me the same thing.

Explain how i would still owe for schooling once it was paid for after 13 months, and the 2nd 13 months they REPAY me $37.50, how i would somehow OWE that. Granted if i leave or become O/O that i would no longer get that $37.50 back (after the first 13 mo.)

Sorry, your loan agreement and mine are totally different.

Butt,.......

Once you go O/O , L/O you are NOT a company driver and that agreement is gone, so as Sync said, you will owe the balance and you'll be paying a high interest. You haven't your 13 months in yet, have you?????

[VPIDarkAngel]

Butt,.......

Once you go O/O , L/O you are NOT a company driver and that agreement is gone, so as Sync said, you will owe the balance and you'll be paying a high interest. You haven't your 13 months in yet, have you?????

What he *appears* to be saying is that the money he could get for the second 13 months is money that they'll have if he quits, but they'll pay him if he continues as a company driver for that time.

*Off-topic slightly*
That's why I'm glad I selected a school independently of a carrier. I know my debt (which I'm paying off on time every month to build credit), I have enough saved to cover it, and I'm not confused about it.
*now returning to the regularly scheduled mayhem*

[dobry4u]

What he *appears* to be saying is that the money he could get for the second 13 months is money that they'll have if he quits, but they'll pay him if he continues as a company driver for that time.

Not true...... during his first 13 months he is paying the loan at $75 a month. So if he goes O/O, L/O prior to the first 13 months, he hasn't paid off the load and completed the loan agreement and still has a balance. This will convert to a high interest loan. If he stays as a company driver, the following 13 months (26 month deal in total), Swift pays him $37.50 a week back, but if he quits he does not get that money back (or remaining if he is into his 2nd 13months).

[Kevin0915]

Not true...... during his first 13 months he is paying the loan at $75 a month. So if he goes O/O, L/O prior to the first 13 months, he hasn't paid off the load and completed the loan agreement and still has a balance. This will convert to a high interest loan. If he stays as a company driver, the following 13 months (26 month deal in total), Swift pays him $37.50 a week back, but if he quits he does not get that money back (or remaining if he is into his 2nd 13months).

i know that, and that is what i said. once i make it to that 13 month date, i owe nothing. And just because i may leave and go elsewhere or go L/O with swift, the agreement is still a legal and binding agreement. They try to tell me i owe 50% interest for the entire amount, i'll see them in court.

I do know that should my employment with Swift end PRIOR to the 13 month date, i owe the full amount. HOWEVER, once i make that 13 month date, school is paid for....note i said PAID FOR.....not "FREE" or "PAID BACK".