[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Oct-02 AT 02:44 PM (EST)]Hey Tex congradulation in the first step.

I've been an owner operator for almost 15 years now. I've spent about 12 of them running team to and from the west coast USA & Canada. Personaly I find I maximize the full use of my equiptment running team. My co-pilot and I run a full two weeks on and one week home. On our off week the truck runs single for about 4 or 5 day's
The remaining day's are for matenance.


I consider my self very fortunate to have a great co-pilot he's godfather to my children and a great friend and drinking buddy!
The guy I have running single for me is retierd and only wants to make a little extra cash he respects the equiptment and every once
in a while when my co-pilot or I need extra time off he runs team with one of us.

I truly love what I do for a living and miss it alot I've been out of the truck since July 29 (auto accident)the opportunity to see the continent and make some friends and money along the way is there.


Ask a lot of question before you sign on with any one and when you do start some where. Spend your first little while running the way you want to run ten years from now as old habbits are hard to brake. And that way your employer will know what to expect from you with in reason.

Don't get caught up in the run the hell out of the rookie crap you dont learn anything and end up burning yourself out or killing yourself or someone else.

Well good Luck Tex keep us posted on how your making out!

 

:-)

I'm really excited. I know it will be hard work and I know that if I make the right choices, I can make a ton of money. Well over $100K per year.

Should I bide my time (six months) with the refrigerated trucking company who is hiring me or as soon as I can payoff the school and jump on to someone like Schnieder (dry and refrig) or Atlas (expedited). Is hauling detroit steel (cars) any good? Oversized loads, do they make good money?

You mentioned you had a good deal going with your friend. What was your route(s)? How did you manage to arrange that?

Are there companies out there who pay empty miles? How much can I expect to make as owner/operator v. company man?

How many miles do you figure I can cover single v. team?
17,000 v. 20,000? Is that realisitic? Or is it pie in the sky?



You experience and wisdom is appreciated?

 

Your experience and wisdom is appreiated.

 

>You mentioned you had a good deal going with your friend.
>What was your route(s)? How did you manage to arrange that?

TEX

My route is usually Toronto ONT to Vancouver BC then from Vancouver we usually spin 2 trips up and down I-5 to LA then home from Vancouver. I run for an LTL carrier I'm not dedicated to that run but thats usually what we do. How do get that run? By having a great on time track record and seniorety. And a great reputation for not being a winer
with dispatch when they feed me a crapy run.

 

>:-)
>


>
>How many miles do you figure I can cover single v. team?
>17,000 v. 20,000? Is that realisitic? Or is it pie in the
>sky?
>
>
>
>You experience and wisdom is appreciated?

Tex: You just can't go out there and drive till you drop. You have heard of log books, right? 8 hrs of duty on, then shut down for a few hours, then a few more hours of duty. Then shut down for 8 hrs.
So lets say 10 hrs of driving at the average of 65 mph is $650 per day. Take that by 5 days is 3250 per week. take that by 4 weeks is 13,000 miles maximum. You maybe able to get more in but I don't know how legally. I am sure other guys can instruct you how. Beware, Log book fines can be up to $10,000. Last time I looked, I did'nt see any owner operators getting rich. Most of the drivers I deal with are owner operators, they work long hours at hard labor, are home very little, and when they are, they are probably twisting wrenches. Good luck, but it aint no bed of roses!

As far as over dimensional loads: You must have the experience to haul a 80,000 lbs machine that is 40 long 12ft wide and 12' high, not to mention the stretch double double drop multi axle tractor and trailer to scale the size & weight. Don't forget you telescoping mirrors! There is good money but permits can shut you down at the mercy of some dunderhead clerk in a state permit department. Stay west of the Mississippi river. The old eastern cities are a nightmare, and forget about New York State. They take a minimum of 24 hrs to issue even a permit for a 9 ft wide load. Don't even think of New York City. If you can get a permit, then you must cross the bridges at night, and then wait for police escorts, etc. It is a time wasting nightmare.

You must also get on with a company that not only has the freight you want to haul, but then you have to have an in with the dispatchers. It usually boils down to doing favors when the dispatcher in trouble and then you call in the return for a good paying load. There is politics involved like any other business.

I hope I am not discouraging you, but you must keep this business in perspective. Listen to other drivers and guage your expectations accordingly. Driving truck can be a excellent way to make a living but you must know all of the pitfalls. Overall, you must be a good businessman if you are going to be a successful owner operator. Good luck.

 

>Have you thought about expediting? If you need to drive a
>tractor-trailer to satisfy some kind of craving, fine. If
>you want to drive a truck and earn good money, expediting is
>the way to go. You can expedite in a cargo van, or any size
>straight truck. The most practical straight truck will be a
>24' box. You would need a class B CDL and most likely a
>HAZMAT endorsement for anything larger than a cargo van.
>With the straight trucks and tractor-trailers, you will have
>to fill out logbooks, go through weigh stations, and follow
>a never-ending pile of rules and regulations. The logbooks
>limit you to approx. 500 miles per day. At $.40 per mile for
>an experienced semi driver driving a company-owned truck,
>that's $200 per day maximum. Not much money there,
>considering you don't get to go home for 4-6 weeks at a
>time. If you go with the cargo van, you are not limited to
>miles/hours, you do not go through weigh stations, and no
>logbooks. Many of the expediting companies pay over $1.00
>per mile for a cargo van. If you would like to know more
>about expediting, e-mail me and I will help you figure it
>out. It is definitely better paying and more exciting than
>over-the-road tractor-trailer work.


First, there are many incorrect statements above.

1. If you go with a cargo van you do not need a CDL. That is correct as you stated, but you and your vehicle will have to comply with other safety regulations, including hours of service. CDL requirements (49 CFR Part 383) apply to "every person who operates a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce." Commercial motor vehicle, in this rule, is defined as a vehicle with a GVW rating of 26,001 lbs. or more, a GCW rating of 26,001 lbs. or more, including a tow unit with a GVW of 10,000lbs. or more, a vehicle of any size used to transport hazardous materials, or a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Other safety rules, including hours of service and vehicle inspections apply to motor vehicles of 10,001 lbs. or more, any vehicle hauling hazardous materials, or a vehicle used to transport more than eight passengers for compensation. Federal safety regulations apply to for-hire and private carriers.

2. The logbook limits you to approximately 500 miles per day. That is totally INCORRECT. Federal Motor Carrier Regulation 395.3 "Maximum Driving Time". (a) No motor carrier shall permit or require any drivers used by it to drive nor shall any such driver drive:
(1) More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or
(2) For any period having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
If you drove for 10 hours, went off duty for 8 hours, you would still have 6 hours in every 24 hour period. Many states now allow 70 MPH and some allow 75 MPH. Many trucks are now powered with 500 and 600 HP engines. It is not uncommon for a driver a legally (and quite easily) log 1,000 miles in a 24 hour period.

3. Some drivers are being paid more than .40 cents per mile and are being paid hourly when the truck is not moving (layover, breakdown, waiting on load or drop and hook, road closed due to weather or accident and even being inspected at weigh station or tied up by the DOT).

Hey, I'm not knocking expediting. I just wanted to set the record straight. In certain sections of trucking, some are being paid far more than the $200.00 per day you quoted.

 

>>


.
>
>2. The logbook limits you to approximately 500 miles per
>day. That is totally INCORRECT. Federal Motor Carrier
>Regulation 395.3 "Maximum Driving Time". (a) No motor
>carrier shall permit or require any drivers used by it to
>drive nor shall any such driver drive:
>(1) More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off
>duty; or
>(2) For any period having been on duty 15 hours following 8
>consecutive hours off duty.
>If you drove for 10 hours, went off duty for 8 hours, you
>would still have 6 hours in every 24 hour period. Many
>states now allow 70 MPH and some allow 75 MPH. Many trucks
>are now powered with 500 and 600 HP engines. It is not
>uncommon for a driver a legally (and quite easily) log 1,000
>miles in a 24 hour period.
>

You are correct, in theory, about the log rules. I don't know many drivers that can push 1,000 mile per day with out becomming very fatigued. This is patently unsafe. 750 miles, I will concede, but 1000 is a stretch. I have talked to many a drivers between the 500 mile mark and the 750 mile mark, and they sound as tired as they probably are. Many guys get their wives qualified, and thus develop a team. These are mostly folks whose kids are grown. It works well for them. I just loaded a jet engine last Friday AM in Miami, and deliverd it in Elko Nv on Sun am, after making a stop in Lake city Fl and also Oak City, OK. It was a husband & wife team. They were beat by late Sat PM, but did the job. Total miles 2756. Total driving time 40 hrs. Average speed 68.9 miles per hour, not including pit stops & stop offs. Each stop off was at least an hour to 2 hrs. Each fuel stop had to be 1 to 2 hrs. So in the real world this is what happens in a team situation. You must remember that trucks must fuel and drivers must eat and make restroom stops.
Hope this helps.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Oct-02 AT 04:58 PM (EST)]I am extremely aware of what goes on out there. All drivers have their own way of doing things. I will be 45 years old in December and have been out on the road all of my adult life. It is not as uncommon as you would care to believe for a driver to leave Dallas at midnight and go to Kansas City some 500 miles away, lay down for his/her DOT rest and be back at the terminal on their 8 hours, then headed back home to Dallas, trip completed in 24 or 25 hours. That I have done many times and in a 60 MPH truck. Tired, well maybe yes, but the DOT only requires 8 hours off and then you are back at it again. After a awhile it all comes as second nature and it is no big deal. I am simply explaining things that are legal and go on each and everyday (in the real world). Let me say this, Roadway has now turned up their day cabs (single man trucks) that run between Dallas and El Paso, approximately 650 miles. They complete their run in 10 hours go to the motel and return on their 8 and go back to Dallas, all 1300 miles in about 28 hours!!! It can be and is done.

 

If you want to make money-go over the road for a couple years. Then you can drive for anyone locally. Many carriers prohibit drivers with less than 2 yrs experience to lower the insurance premiums. Don't pay 6000.00 for your license, some schools will try and get that much or more. If you drive east coast you will be $%%&*&, if they want to send you to Chicago or NY city you're !@@#*% too much traffic. If over the road, you will make 1000 dollars or more per week but work 75 hrs to do it. You can't see the country like a tourist either, because your limited to certain roads.Trucking co.s and workers took a big hit when the president and congress deregulated trucking commerce. If you want to read about the History of the trucking industries latest problems, get a book titled-SWEATSHOPS ON WHEELS. Keep the rubber down and shiny side up!
P.S. All you really need is a straight truck license, get a job driving a Triaxle Dump truck, deliver stone, blacktop,dirt. Easy work!

 

To keep you updated, I need a DOT waiver. Bad left eye. Good peripheral vision.

I might get to drive in lot Wednesday if everything gets done right.

It' late and I have to get up early. I will update you daily. Even if just one phrase or two.

 

Check out www.truck.net/bbs

Drove a truck for 6 years.
OTR, local, Van, Reefer, Flat & Extendeds, tanker, walking floor...
Started for CRST out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Didn't like team driving. Went to Dick Simon. Lasted a couple years there, then management started getting screwy (Hence their current state of affairs).
Then went in to business together with a friend of mine for a little over 3 years. One breakdown after another, brokers not paying what they owed us, rising fuel prices, other drivers under-cutting the rates all the time...
We finally just sold the trucks and got out of the business all together before we both ended up homeless and bankrupt.
Now he works for DC fire dept. And I work for the county government in emergency services.
We're both much happier.

 

good morning. Ready to face the day. WIsh me luck.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-02 AT 09:37 AM (EST)]Texmex: You are getting some good advice here, both pro and con. In the end, you must make up your own mind, but be sure it comes as an informed dicision. The common carrier, ie Roadway guys, have certain and regular work. It is union work so seniority is involved. It reminds me of the joke about the union guy who goes to the brothel and inquires if it is a union shop. The madam says no so he goes to another that is a union shop. He asks the madam if it is a union house, and she happily says yes. He says that's great. I'll take young and firm Suzie over there. The madam responds, I'd love assign Suzi, but Elinor(who is 75) has seniority!

The owner operator has to bust his buns every day. The union does him no good. He goes from load to load, never knowing what to expect or what will be the outcome of the run. It can be crap shoot all the way. It is a business of contacts. If you don't have good ones you're screwed. Above all, besides connections, you have to be a good businessman. Otherwise you will go broke. Good luck!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-02 AT 02:37 PM (EST)]Scotte,

The Federal government and most states do not consider a cargo van a commercial vehicle, as they usually have a gvw rating of 9500 lbs or less. As long as you don't haul HazMat, which would require a CDL C, there are no restrictions to a van driver. No weigh stations, no logbook, no hours of service restrictions.

The statement about the 500 miles per day should have read 500 miles for 18 hours. Many of the large companies I interviewed with limit their drivers to 500 miles because of the following: A weighmaster can give you a speeding ticket if your logbook shows you have exceeded the speed limit. Considering you have to stop for fuel, traffic jams, weigh stations, etc, the "average" speed a truck should maintain in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, not to mention other areas, is 50 mph. 50 mph X 10 hours is 500 miles. This is from their figures and their rules, not mine or the governments. It depends where you operate. The main thing is to figure your pay based on the most "legal speed limit" miles you can drive in your 10 hours and decide if you can live on that. Haven't you ever wondered why a lot of OTR drivers live in remote areas where property is inexpensive and taxes are low? It's because they can't afford much of a house payment. Some drivers earn a good wage, but most just get by.

Now, as far as $200.00 per day? That was an estimate based on the pay advertised by large companies looking for company drivers with 2 years experience. Companies like Hunt, which used to start drivers out at $.21 per mile, pay less than the $.40 I used as a basis.

If anyone knows of a national company that pays their company drivers better than $.40 per mile, please list them here for the benefit of the drivers that do not earn that much.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-02 AT 03:09 PM (EST)]As far as the quotes that I listed above, they come right out of the Federal Moter Carrier Safety Regulation book. You can interpert any way you care to. I am explaining the way that things are done legally in the LTL business and on a daily routine.

As far as companies that pay over .40 cents per mile, again it will be the Union LTL carriers such as Yellow, Roadway and ABF. Currently, single drivers make .49775 for doubles and team drivers split .51288, both are paid $19.80 per hour if not rolling. Also, UPS is Teamster, they pay over .40 cents per mile and just signed a new 6 year contract, they will see a $5.00 per hour increase over the life of the contract.

Trucking is an extremely tough business. My father has been an owner/operator for almost 50 years and is still out there. I have been around trucking all of my life and started out on the bottom with low pay and all the BS that goes with this business. Luckly, I was able to get into one of the better paying driving jobs some 16 years ago and am very much looking forward to the day I can retire and draw my pention.

I said that each driver has his/her own way of doing things. The young man that started this thread will no doubt have a hard roe to hoe and if it were a member of my family I would say stay in school, get a degree in something you really care for and go for it, not trucking.

I also sent him an email trying to explain somethings he could do to get one of the better paying truck driving jobs, later after he gains experence if that is what he really wants.


Also, there is absolutely nothing about 500 miles (or any miles for that matter) in 18 hours in the book. Where did you get that from? I want to see it, tell me the book, article, page number etc.


Good luck to all, I have to go play professional tourist once again.