Originally Posted by Mountain Flyer

Now you know what I know. Good luck. 8)

Yup, I agree. Anyone who jumps off a freaking mountain for no other reason then fun can do it also.

[Mountain Flyer]

There is no jumping to it, my young apprentice... :lol: I inflate the wing by pulling it up into the wind blowing up and over the hilltop; when it is overhead and producing lift, I merely take a few steps while leaning forward, and am lifted into the air like a bird.

Had a couple fantastic flights last weekend over the thriving metropolis of Riggins, ID (population 400) and it was grand. Tomorrow: back to the truck.

Good Night, Mary Ellen..... 8)

Hey, you can sugar coat it anyway you like, it's still the same.

I gently walked into the soft breeze billowing through my hair as the whispering wind caressed and filled my satin steed........AS I WAS LAUNCHED OFF THE SIDE OF A 10,000 FOOT MOUNTAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rank]

Originally Posted by SteveBooth

My truck I paid $35,000 and $17,000 for the trailer. I spent another $10,000 or so on the inside......Even if you finance your truck and trailer your still going to need some serious cash to keep yourself going until the checks start coming in. I'm guessing at least $30,000.

Yep, we agree on that. Gotta have $100,000 to go trucking.

[Scoe]

Originally Posted by SteveBooth

new hoes

See right there, typical rookie mistake. Even a driver with 6 months experience knows that you can find used hoes at any truck stop and save tons of money :shock:

[pepe4158]

hmmm seemed a good place to move this post too....hope my 2c helps, tried to coorect my M/T's...im still a terrible typer:

You know.....I hesitated to say anything here, tho as a new authority O/op and former big Co. trainer I am a good canditate.

1. Because the question I feared most out of my trainee's lips was, a heartfelt question about, 'whats this buiz really like?'
Usually got only silence from me as a response.

2. Usually they had decided they knew more then me anyway, so I could stall them an answer a long as I could n not have to answer.

I remember as a new student breaking in myself about 15 years ago,,,,,my trainer explained, ;this is the brotherhood of truckers, n we help each other as much as possible.'

Well i remember thinking, 'coolness....this is a buiz i think ill like.'

Then i started hearing about the new breed of truckers....just out for themselves.....a far cry from the professionalism i see from g-man n some others .
N one has to only listen to the CB a few minutes n see that dream is dead....there is no more camelot!!!!!!!!!!!Weve been definitly thrown out of the garden of eden by too many idiots out here.

Well my friend, if you ignore most of the advice telling you dont do it.......The best advice I can tell you is or give you as a former trainer is how to deal with scales cuz any time out here you can n WILL be called in.

1. be tottaly upfront ande open about who you are and what your background is. After the scalemaster quits LAUGHING hysterically and has thouroughly checked your cab for drugs.....I quarantee he will cut you more of a brake then he does say me and will actually be symphethetic n helpfull to you then he would be to a more exp hand.

The guy who bought my truck went this route, lol. Well, to be more specific , he got the truck, then got his CDL

[solo379]

You could succeed, or fail going the either way. It's more about your personal qualities!
But, it's cheaper, to learn the ropes, on somebody else dime.

Anyway, I've met a 20years in business veteran, who has no idea, what he is doing, and just survive by the "miles", and i also met 23 years old kid, who has a lot more common sense, than that veteran. :roll: :wink:

[GrayBeard]

Molson wrote,

I am looking for someone who got there CDL Class A and just went into an O/O as opposed to working for someone first. If your out there, would love to see what you thought, how you did, would you change it?

Molson,

Like others have said, I think it best to spend some time as a company driver first. My reasoning is two fold.

First, the expeience and knowledge you gain as a ompany driver will serve you well if and when you decide to become an O/O. You will also allow yourself time to decide if you like your new chosen profession well before you invest a lot of time and money into something you may not want to continue doing.

Secondly and of greater importance is your safety as well as the safety of others whom you will be sharing the roads with. You need time to develop the limited skills you will learn in any driving school. When you first get your CDL and hit the road, your anxiouty level will hit an all time high as you struggle to learn all the intricacies of your new profession. Trying to find little towns you have never heard of and the even smaller factory, warehouse or plant will only add to your frustration. This is just the tip of the iceburg, as far as things you will have to learn to deal with and handle.

Do yourself and others a favor and take your time! Allow yourself the time to really learn how to drive before you add the pressure and additional burdens associated with being an O/O.

Just my .02

Be careful and stay safe.

[ncnewbie]

".....new hoes...." Is Steve going into truck farming now too???? :shock: