An IMPORTANT THING to keep in mind is; if you DO NOT have your Class A, and/or HAVE NOT HAD IT FOR AT LEAST A YEAR - then you're STILL going to need to GET THAT YEAR (or at least 6 months) EXPERIENCE to be able to LEASE ON as an O/O with a carrier. And just as important, if you're thinking about getting your own MC# (operating authority as your own carrier) - you are likely to NOT BE ABLE TO GET LIABILITY INSURANCE TO RUN INTERSTATE, until you HAVE YOUR CLASS-A for at LEAST ONE YEAR.
I'm finishing school right now, and CAN AFFORD to get into my own truck RIGHT AWAY (cash $$ down, have a good friend with a "leasing company" to finance me). I was considering this as an option - since NONE OF THE MAJOR (Rookie Hiring) CARRIERS are hiring out of FLORIDA, much less SOUTH FLORIDA - and I want to maintain my FLORIDA RESIDENCY for License, Tax, Carry Permit, Corporation Ownership, etc.
I COULD NOT EVEN GET A QUOTE for the REQUIRED INSURANCE to apply for operating authority. Three Agent/Brokers told me; "call back when your CDL is more than 1 year old" - and EVEN THEN, the REQUIRED COVERAGE is going to be $10K for just the Trucking Liability/Cargo - not to mention Bobtail and Comp.
I need to get ON THE ROAD and start logging on LINE 3 - and can't figure out the BEST WAY TO DO IT, and still maintain FLORIDA RESIDENCY. I have NO PROBLEMS relocating - just can't do it until 2010 - and even then, tax-wise, Florida is STILL one of the best places to claim residence...
Rick
Suggestions, hate mail - all are welcome...