I just thought I'd share some personal experience from what I expected and how the first few years of driving went for me. I have 5 years in now.

My biggest challenge was being away from home. I have a partner and being away from home was really tough. I started out driving for Schneider and was out 2 weeks at a time. I drove for Schneider for 9 months, then went to Averitt Express because they offered me more home time. Averitt was completely different than Schneider. Averitt would guarantee me to be home every weekend, but sometimes I'd get in on Saturday and leave out on Sunday. At least with Schneider I was off for 2-3 full days. Averitt ended up putting me on their LTL shuttle run which was great pay for a rookie with 10 months experience under their belt. It paid .41 cmp and I was home every day. I had to drive 75 miles to the terminal which was in Nashville, then run all night...then I would go back home. It got to where it was too might time driving to and from Nashville everyday. So..I quit Averitt and bought my own truck. Big mistake, being such a rookie and buying a truck I knew nothing about. The truck itself was great, but the company I leased onto wasn't. I made 1.33 a mile for driving local. Just didn't add up driving 1000 miles a week at that pay. Needless to say, I sold the truck and started driving for a company again. The company was terrible. I drove so much because all the loads were "hot" and if I didn't do it ect ect...I actually lasted 9 months with that company, because they paid good. I had a dedicated run to Canada and then to El Paso each week. Just got burned out running so hard and always trying to fix my "comic book".

I left that company, and did what I swore I'd never do again. I got another truck. I found a company that had great hometime ,2-3 days a week and I needed a company to work with me with my College schedule and personal life. I'm leased onto a company that pays 70% of 2.02 a mile.+ fsc. I sometimes wonder if buying a truck last year was something I should have done. Some weeks I'll get $2000 checks and other weeks I don't even get a check. But in the end, it's worth it. I will have my truck paid off in 13 months and plan to stay solid. (as long as my truck does, lol)

Being an owner operator is more than just buying a truck and driving it down the road. I like having the freedom to do what I want, but at times I wish I was getting that company pay and not paying for my fuel.

I guess what I'm saying is all the newbies out there that think buying a truck is the answer to all your problems....it's really not. You need to know what you're getting into, as there are a lot of expenses.

I'm a woman driver and have been out here for 5 years and I've learned a lot. I've been sitting here in Meridian, Ms waiting to pick up my load in the morning going to Florida. What happens when I get to Florida??? We will see...maybe find a decent load out of there..I know dragging a load 900 miles for 550 is simply out of the question and how a broker could even offer that CRAPPY of a rate?? I don't know about that...Sometimes I just laugh!!!

 

you must really love to drive.

 

Why do people quit good gigs they get blessed with that others work hard as hell to get?? (Hint: Line Haul Run)

 

Because the grass is always greener on the other side. You got any of that Popeye's left? I am hungry now.

 

All that and they still call ya lucky huh?

 

Good luck on paying off the truck! That will be nice! Thirteen months doesn't sound like ***** but thirteen months can drag out into a good, long timel I hope it's good for you.

 

Well I've managed not to lose my sanity or my house or my family so...I guess I'm still lucky....

 

Yeah, I always thought that...you learn really quick that every company has it's crap...

 

I do love driving...but when I go on vacation I fly..because I'm sick of driving...haha

 

Yep, should have kept that job at Averitt running LTL...I'd be making tons of $$$ home all the time...could have moved to Nashville....have paid health insurance...yep, I kick myself in the *** all the time for quitting that job!!!