that's one of our Texas Dedicated drivers.....his name is Leo. I think he started as linehaul and then switched to Texas Dedicated.

 

I saw truck 91943 in my area a few days ago. Nothing more awesome than a TMC truck rolling down the highway.

 

:?

 

I took 3 months and found out what every load paid and what the fuel surcharge was. I run with 5 O/O's that are on Texas Dedicated. Our O/O's run the same loads as the company drivers and work the same 5 day week.
They have greater freedom to chose what loads they run and make 72% of the gross. (70% for linehaul, longhaul with a company trailer)

These guys on this account run older paid for trucks and have few bills. They all told me that I would be better off staying a company driver. With $3/gallon fuel I'm glad that I did. Even with the fuel surcharge and $2+/mile freight that we run these guys aren't making that much more then I am. Figure in a 40% deadhead for what we do. Line haul will make better then we do for the most part.

The benefits are: more freedom to chose loads.
More freedom to chose fuel stops.....TMC authorised stops get a discount.
More freedom to chose where and when to run.
More total gross income

The downsides: High fuel costs
truck payments
As the housing market tanks freight rates drop....meaning less income for the same runs.
Deadhead miles are not paid...but you buy fuel.
THIS IS A BUSINESS....not a play toy. TMC makes money by shear volumn. They use the law of averages to stay in business. This is not an option of a single truck O/O. Failure in the O/O market is 85%. TMC O/O failure is less than 50% due to using percentage versus mileage.
If you want to buy a truck from Black and Chrome sales they will set you up with financing thru a reputable lender. They don't do lease purchase. I hope you have good credit. $4000 for down payment and 3 months worth of expenses before you buy a truck.
PS.....Join OOIDA

 

Well, I just spent a great deal of time and read this entire thread.

I take my state CDL exam this coming Friday. The following Monday, I'll be in DSM.

Despite the moniker, I'm only 50ish, and not so fat. Left my job of 20 years because of corporate bankruptcy. Fast paced job with lots of time managment necessary, bread route/sales.

I live less than 5 minutes from I-675 or US 35, and less than 20 minutes from I-70 and I-75. Cinti (I-275 meaning I-71 and I-74) is about 45 minutes or so.

I attended Tri-State in Middletown, Ohio on my own dime.

I can make it through orientation and training, I have too. I have a house payment and a car payment to make.

I hope I'm located in a decent freight lane. I tend to think so.

I'll keep reading and asking questions as I need to.

edit: should have added that I'll have all the endorsements except passenger.

 

50-ish is cool as I am 53. Not so fat is good as you will lose weight and gain muscle fast.

Your location is a GREAT freight lane as the feds are developing I35 and I70 as Uber Interstates. I75 is not so bad either.

Me and the trainee will be in DSM the weekend of November 3. Hope to meet you.

 

Look for tall, shaved head, more salt than pepper goatee and handlebar mustache. Looking forward to meeting new folks.

 

Look for 92277. Old bald guy with old trainee.

 

i remember leo now. i knew the number was familiar. we pulled some loads to a walmart in co. before i left. good guy.

 

i can't beleive i juist read the whole thing...i am going to bed.