Quote:
Originally Posted by Molson
Quote:
Originally Posted by rank
Why ruin the dream by driving for a company? Buy a long nose Pete and a trailer and go trucking. You stand the best chance of enjoying it if you are a carrier.
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Everything I read tells me it's near impossible to get jobs without time behind the wheel? I don't mind starting with the low paying ones, I know I have to pay my dues or gain some trust. Nothing is impossible but don't you think I would have a hard time?
If for some reason I did go that route, what would be the best way to start finding jobs?
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Seems like we need some deinitions.
Truck Driver
a.k.a. the company driver, someone who drives someone elses truck.
Owner/Operator:
Someone, usually a former company driver that has bought or leased his own truck. After doing so, he has leased this truck or trucks exclusively to a trucking company. The truck now operates only for the company, under the companies Motor Carrier authority (a.k.a. MC#). Theoretically, the owner may elect to hire a driver for his truck, but not usually enough money in the venture to make this idea profitable.
Carrier
Can be a Motor Carrier or a Private Carrier.
A Motor Carrier is a trucking company. Slso known as "having your own authority". An entity or person that owns it's truck or trucks and usually trailer or trailers and is in the business of moving other people's stuff.
A Private Carrier is a company that owns it's own trucks and does it's own trucking. They have a USDOT# but no MC#. Cannot pull anything they do not own.
As a carrier, you are responsible for finding your own loads, dispatching, maitenance, billing, collecting, filing IFTA, dealing with the DOT, dealing with the FMCSA, drug testing, routing, fuel puchases, truck purchases......everything.
Can have one truck like Steve or many trucks like Schneider.
With your money, I say be a Motor Carrier. As a carrier, you do not look for jobs...you look for loads. Take advantage of the freedom that your money allows. Besides...a well capitalized carrier can turn down cheap frieght.
:lol: