I'm not in cahoots with steve, but if I were in cahoots with someone it would be him. He seems like a good guy.

I don't know what "list" you think I posted...but I didn't post one.

I did add a couple numbers to "Charged's" shorted list.

[quote="charged"]Removing the wages gets us down to the what an owner operator must make to break even. Now with the $1.22/mi break even figure I can figure how much one needs to make per mile to make $10k/mo or $9k/mo and buy a real apu that won't burn down a truck and smoke out the neighbors.

I don't think it is "working for free." I think it's working free or maybe working free of charge.[/quote]

Working for free....working free of charge...which ever. Nothing for nothing.


As an Owner Operator, whom drives my own truck, I include wages in my "Break Even Point". If my truck does not generate enough revenue to pay my wages, as well as the taxes on those wages, then my truck ran at a loss...Which means I PAID TO HAUL SOMEONE'S FREIGHT....which just pizzez me off.

I'm on the road now teve..and don't have my "numbers" with me. I don't keep my finances on a computer that is hooked to the net. That computer is stand alone, with just quickbook on it. All the paperwork and that puter are in a water proof tub right now...in case Ike hits the house while I am gone.

Dang! Thanks. I haven't checked my e-mail in a while.

got it. you have mail.

Sorry, I thought that was you who posted the original form to figure out operating costs.

Yeah...It is the same guy who doesn't think wages are associated with truck operational expenses. He doesn't include things like internet services, phones, faxing, and on down the dirty list of expenses a truck must bare. If this kid and his Dad can keep their "Break Even" at $1.29 with fuel running at the prices it is, while working one truck alone under their own authority...good for them.

I doubt that they are doing it...I doubt that they are making any money. Money enough to cover the truck and wages.

With just a tractor, leased to a Carrier that bares a portion of the operating cost's, I'm lucky to break even at $1.28 per mile. At $1.18 per mile I am burning the phone lines ripping at dispatchers and managers. At $1.859 per mile I hold my tongue.

I'm just lucky I don't have a truck or trailer payment, no wife, no child support, no alimony and no bills. And in the Johnny Cash lookalike case, no Prozac or male enhancement drug payments.

TRANSLATION = If my truck takes a shit, I'm screwed.