My plan to take over the world
 

Well I have 2 weeks left in the army. After that I am shipping out to Iraq to be a light wheel mechanic for 2 years. Then I am gonna use some of that GI Bill money to go to the best truck driving school in the country. (Any suggestions?) Then I am gonna drive for a company for about a year. After that I plan on driving for another company in a specialized field (either auto hauling, bedbugging or oversize) to get my feet wet. Then I am gonna buy a new Volvo 780 (cash) and either lease on to a company or get my own authority. I plan on paying myself a 2000 dollar a month truck payment till I get my money back out of the pig. I am 26 now. I plan on being almost 30 when I start company driving. I also plan on buying a bar in Thailand when I am no older than 55 and retiring there. I am single with a son.

People on these forums shit all over this industry, although this board is much better than trucknet. I have been doing the math, and I don't see how I can lose money. I think a lot of people buy equipment without having a clue about running a business. These people are better served as company drivers.

To everyone who says this industry sucks: I have 50k to go to college with. I also have a 6 figure job waiting for me next year. I plan on writing a check for my new truck, and I have crunched the numbers, and I can't lose money. I had planned on buying a truck as soon as I got out of Iraq. Listening to some of the seasoned members of this board, I decided to put that off until I have driven for a company for 2 years. During that time I am going to learn as much as I can about the industry.

See you on the road in a couple years

--AC Ranger

I am glad to hear that you are going to work as a company driver for a couple of years before buying a truck. If you plan on pulling cars or oversized, you may want to rethink your decision to buy a Volvo. They are good trucks, but may not be the best choice for those applications.

I am glad that you plan on paying cash for your truck. However, I would NEVER say that you cannot lose money in ANY business. You can always lose your shirt. You are not as likely to do so if you pay cash for your equipment and have a good reserve. Good luck. I hope you stay in touch and let us know how things are going when you get to Iraq.

Well Gman, experience such as yours is what I have been listening to, and I will continue to do so. I have lots of research to do before I drop 130k on a new truck. I know a few Rangers whos fathers have driven truck and they told me Volvos ride like Cadillacs.......but like I said, I have a ways to go before I get to that point.

As for not losing money, I know $hit happens, but my whole life I have been above average. I am confident I can be successul in this industry. Life can always throw you a curveball however, and I understand that.


I plan on starting a thread on my Iraq experience. I know it isn't that related to driving truck, but I suspect people will be interested in it nonetheless........take it easy brother

Re: My plan to take over the world
 

And what's wrong with that?

I understand you sence of adventure, but in my opinion, college would be a much better investment, if you are really "above the average"! :wink:

ONCE AGAIN, SOLO PROVIDES SOUND ADVICE.

Can't lose money eh? Today's jokes:
1) 48,000 lbs of lumber to be tarped and moved "466 miles". Paying $650. I showed 540 miles.
2) 28,000 lbs of machinery. Broker showed 330 miles (by airplaine I guess :roll: ). Paid $500. I showed 500 miles.

EXAMPLE 2:
500 miles x $.35/mile = $175 fuel
Tolls = $100
Meals = $40
S/total = $315 - 500 = $185 left.

Yep, it's a piece of cake. :wink:

I think Volvo is the best riding truck on the market today. Have you considered finishing your education before buying a truck? Having a good education gives you options.

I have thought about it. I am thinking about working on online courses while I am in Iraq. I am just not that fired up about college. I have a lot of friends who are college grads and a lot of them don't even make 50k a year.

Still would hate to let that GI bill money go to waste.

College is only a foundation. You have to choose the right field and when you're out there you still have to go get that money. Probably changing jobs and moving cities a few times to find it.

And $50,000 might be approaching the upper end of what you can make as a driver.

Exactly!

My daughter, graduated in 2000, got her "masters", last year, just got a raise to $95,000.
And that's not including overtime, bonuses, and all imaginable benefits.

I'm sure not making that much "net", with over 10 years in business, and over 30 in trucking! :wink:

A college education helps to make you a more well rounded person. It also offers you options if you decide that trucking isn't for you. Most companies require a college education to get in the door. You might consider taking some preferences tests such as "Strong." Some Universities and Colleges offer them free to enrollees. It sometimes helps to direct you to something which you have an interest based upon your answers. It isn't an IQ test, but a preferences test. You can also take some preferences tests on line. Sometimes it can spur ideas. You will still need to take the basics, regardless of your course of study. A college degree doesn't necessarily mean that you will start out making $100M/yr, but I have known of a few who have gotten close. However, that is not the norm. The college education will get your foot in the door. The rest is up to the individual. Most college graduates advance more quickly and farther up the corporate ladder than non-college graduates.

Go to college!! I know at least a hundred people who regret not going to college. In my thirty six years of life I NEVER met anyone who regrets going to college.

AC Ranger,

I have 17 1/2 years in the Army and I am currently taking online courses with Axia College which is part of the University of Phoenix. At 38 years old I did not think I would be going back to college, but like others have said, it will open doors. Like you, I want to get back to driving and get my own truck. However, I want to be able to be smart about what I do. I started out to get my degree in information technology, but I am thinking about changing it to business management in order to be better prepared to start and run my own business. It sounds like you have a lot of motivation and ambition. Be smart about it and never think you have it all figured out.

Best of luck!!

Never hurts to get that degree. I retired from the Air Force but made sure i used the benefits they provided to get my degree. Even if you never use it to obtain a job, you will always have it.

I guess that's why God created the trucker's road atlas, with all the mile markers indicated therein.

If you're hauling freight 500 miles and only getting paid for two-thirds of that, you have no one to blame but yourself.

-- c t

I don't regret going to college. Girls, beers, tailgating at college football games, and playing "bags".

It was so much fun I quit after summer and went back. I joined a fraternity later in my 6and 1/2 year college escapade :) and the rest explains itself :)

I didn't of course. Simply offered it as an example of one way I could have lost that day.

I went 8 years
days, nights whatever
The counselor asked me what my major was
I said "I don't know"
He said you are a history major
"No kiddin"
I grad i ated
And bought a truck
been truckin ever since

How much does being in the army pay?

It depends on your rank.

I had 23k on my w2 last year. I did a combat tour this year so it will be a little higher, maybe 25-26k.


The upside is room and board is paid for so I didn't have rent or a mortgage to pay. Of course, I also live in a room. Not an apartment, not a house. A room.

The army isn't a bad gig. It's just time for me to move on.

You know, ACRANGER...for a ball-buster, you have given me quite a few ideas of goals to set for myself. I firmly believe that sharing ones own experiences can benefit others, and I thank you for that.

Anytime brother. Stay tuned for my Iraq exploits.

no thanks

Wasnt directed at you Cletus.

Thanks Ranger!!!

Good luck in Iraq

I have mixed feelings about having gone to college. As said before, "it all depends on what your major is." I finally figured out what the purpose of state funded colleges is, and that it to create a revolving employment pool of people that are dependent on the state/ federal government for employment. Think about all of the students that major in psych (one of the most populated majors at most schools) where do they end up working, that is if they find a job at all??? What can you really do with a sociology degree, human services, business degree?

The only people that find jobs out of college are nursing students, and other medical degrees that only require 4 years.

With a criminal justice degree my options are:

become a cop, become a social worker, probation officer, or parole officer, and maybe a sales job where I have to deal with rejection on a daily basis.

It sucks when you spend time getting a degree, and the only jobs that you find are ones that you could have had right out of high school. All this talk about education being the key has created a surplus of educated people, but not enough jobs.

College provides revenue for the state, so they will continue to push the education myth.

I do not regret my college experience, because I have met a lot of interesting people, and have learned a lot of things that you just don't get exposed to outside of college.

I'm definitely going into this new experience with excitement, wonder, and a good dose of cynicism.

Statement makes NO sense. State colleges are funded by tax dollars. They do not make money, thats for sure :wink:

My statement was far reaching, but yours is also.

State schools do make a profit. It isn't grade school:free of tuition, free books, and other added on fees. I wish the state would have footed my bill.

The cost of attendance is subsidized by the state in IL. Governemnts fund the schools, we pay for part. That is the purpose, to offset the cost. Thats why schools compete for grants and stuff. It costs more than the cost of tuition per student, according to SIUC. But, this could be different elsewhere. [hijcak ] OFF [mode] :lol:

College is not for everyone. While some jobs may be open to both high school and college graduates, you will often start out at a higher salary with a degree. You will also advance more quickly and go farther in the corporate world with a degree. Some organizations or jobs may require a degree just to get hired. There are some degrees which are not of that much value in the corporate world. Some corporations, such as Procter and Gamble require a degree. The kicker is that they don't seem to care what that degree is in, only that you have spent 4 years in a university and graduated. Personally, I think the type of degree should be relevant to the job. If your plan in to enter the corporate world, then a business degree is probably the best degree for you. A degree will not necessarily show you how to make a living or start a business. Some business colleges have started programs in entrepreneurship. It will give you some of the tools you need to be successful. A degree demonstrates that you have the ability to stick with something to completion. A degree will make you a more well rounded person. You will earn more money with a degree than without one. That is a proven fact. Someone with a degree will be given priority over a less educated person when it comes to the hiring process. There are some professions where this won't make any difference. Trucking is one of those professions. I think having a degree will help you in dealing with people. I think the benefits of having a degree far outweigh not having a degree, regardless of what you do for a living. I don't think any education is a waste of time or money.