[TMan]

I'm new here and I'm actually new to trucking. Actually, I haven't even started driving for any company yet. I'm in research mode still, however, D-Day is within less then a week from now and I have yet to sort out enough information to make some very important decisions. I'm hoping that some members here can provide me some feedback, their opinions, experience, advice and or suggestions, to better help me in making these decisions. One question I have is regarding the advantages of an owner-operator verses a company driver. Let me explain exactly why I ask - here below is a link to a well known trucking company who has posted a pro forma for solo drivers on their website.

I studied it some what closely. Based on this pro forma it appears that the owner-operator "driver" would NET about $.29 CPM. Comparing that to most company driver pay plans it would seem like a very silly proposition as an owner-operator assumes much more risk and liability. If the owner operator wants GOOD medical insurance which a company driver would have - the owner-operator driving around 3,000 miles a week, would pay anywhere from an additional $.05 to as much a $.15 (CPM) depending on the type and amount of medical benefits and coverage. Also, the owner-operator would have primary responsibility to cover any incidentals and or unexpected maintenance needs and such.

OK, it sounds pretty cool having the feeling of a little more ownership as well as getting a brand new truck that I could call my own (on lease). However, making a decision based on smart business may not be to do the lease program as an owner-operator even if it is of personal emotional benefit. What are some of your opinions? Also here are some questions that some of you who have experienced both options first hand may be able to answer.

Could there be a difference of No-Touch ratios, such a a company driver may load/unload 80% verses an owner-operator touches less, say 90%?

Is there a personal tax benefit, or advantages which would lower my personal federal income taxes?

Do owner-operators typically get mileage preference over company drivers making 3,000 plus weekly miles more realistic and easier to hit?

Less, down time?

Easier routes, longer routes?

Anyway, what the heck is the advantages to where people actually prefer to do the owner-operator lease program verse working as a company driver?

http://www.crengland.com/home/index....Forma&width=30

[richey94]

Please do more research. It is generally a bad idea to go OO without any experience. You would do better if you got some experience for a few years as a company driver before you even think about OO. Just one of these reasons is getting insurance with no experience.

[Skywalker]

Tman, do yourself a favor....try this business out as a company driver first.

You can always make the change to O/O later, but going the other way has many pitfalls, many, many.... You are talking about jumping off a bridge with a bungee cord with no warranty and provided by the lowest bidder.

In the past couple of years there has been a literal plethora of "used trucks", many of which have been repossessed or voluntarily returned to the financier....from experienced drivers who could no longer justify the expense.

This is not to say that you cannot make a living at it as an O/O....there are guys doing well..... But consider this: Would you go out and buy a cropdusting plane and start a business before you even have a pilots license? Its the same difference.

Instead of the companies that you have listed....if you haven't already talked to these companies...please take the time to:

Gordon Transportation (GTI)
Watkins-Shepard
Interstate Distributors (IDI) with the Green "freightshakers"

To my knowledge all of them take student drivers, and all of them have good reputations. Do a search on them here and read the responses.

I would suggest CFI, where I drive, but you are not in the hiring area, so its not likely they would hire you for that reason. And you have to have a CDL prior to applying as a student.

Do yourself a favor....step back and take a deep breath, think long and hard about this, and before you make any moves financially.... consider driving for someone else and finding out if this is your "cup of tea". Statistically so many people enter this industry and quit it and leave in less than a year....its a staggering number. This industry can be a beast and it takes alot of moxie to survive. I've been at it since 1994, and I have seen many, many drivers with stars in their eyes....leave angrier than hell....or so downhearted...

Take your time....you've got lots of it. Just my opinion

[fireman932003]

I agree with Skywalker. Don't get in a hurry and go O/O. Drive as a company driver first and get a feel for the job. Then, after a few years, if you feel like you can, go O/O. That's is just my opinion.

[Tony_Soprano]

even with no experience, you can work for roadway if you went to an accredited school. Start on the road at .40 a mile, home 3 or 4 times a week, free healthcare, and a pension! please spare me the "lazy teamster" crap. It's worth looking into. Top pay after 2 years is .54 a mile!! Forget the shiny wheel syndrome. you can be cool on your stool at 65 mph, then laugh all the way to the bank, at 75 k per year!!

[Super 8]

I would recommend you stay away from Owner Op until you get some time under your belt. Become a company driver for a year or so, and then see if you still want to be an O/O.

And never do a lease/purchase deal from the same company that controls your paycheck!!! That's the equivalent of being a carpetbagger!

CR England has a reputation of being a company that trys to get drivers into their lease/purchase deals. If you do this, I think you're gonna wish you hadn't.

[GMAN]

I think we need a bit of clarification. A lease operator is NOT an owner operator. There is a difference. If you lease a truck from the carrier to whom you are leased, you will probably make more money if you stayed home and went to work for McDonalds. You have no idea of what this business is all about, yet you are considering leasing a truck from a carrier you know nothing about. That makes no business sense. The first thing you need to do is get some solid driving experience. If you want to buy a truck, and you noticed I said BUY, then save your money until you can either pay cash or have a substantial down payment. In addition, you should have a good amount saved for emergencies.

I have owned trucks for years. I make more owning than I would driving for a carrier. Not everyone who owns a truck makes more than a company driver. This is a business and I treat it as such. There are tax advantages to owning a truck, but unless you make more money there is no real advantage to owning a truck. The first thing you need to do is learn something about this business. Most people I have talked with who admit to doing one of these fleece programs has lost their shirts. You might want to do a search. We have addressed this subject many times. Personally, I think that these fleece programs should be outlawed. They are nothing short of a scam. And substituting fleece for lease was intentional and appropriate. 8)

[hitman]

I was talking to a 7 year CFI driver yesterday at the local diner, about my possible career change from auto worker to truck driver. The VERY FIRST thing he told me NOT to do as a company driver, was a lease/purchase. I told him no way, no how would I even think about it, after reading all of the advice here.

[BanditsCousin]

I can't vote for ANY of them. They are all bottom-of-the-barrel carriers and don't pay over a buck a mile as an o/o and .26 -.35 cpm (if you're lucky) as a company driver.

See my "CR England o/o's are the dumbest in the industry" thread.

[Skullitor]

Originally Posted by BanditsCousin

I can't vote for ANY of them. They are all bottom-of-the-barrel carriers and don't pay over a buck a mile as an o/o and .26 -.35 cpm (if you're lucky) as a company driver.

See my "CR England o/o's are the dumbest in the industry" thread.

Now B.C. We all know you've fantasized about being a LEASE DRIVER For
your favorite trucking company "C.R.ENGLAND"But couldn't make the grade!I guess your NOT A MORMON!!! :lol: