Load Boards For New OO

Victor, trucking has been around for a good while. There is precious little about it that has changed dramatically for years now. It is well established what the operating costs are going to average per mile of freight delivered.

The one advantage you can gain in a commodities business is to be able to handle a large volume of work. In the case of trucking this works to your advantage when you can have your costs averaged out among a large number of units. This is commonly referred to as "economy of scale."

If my memory is correct, none of those companies you mentioned were started as individual Owner/Operators. Today's O/O's have to compete against these large companies who do everything they can to cut their costs by strong arming their vendors with their economy of scale - that sword cuts both ways. It brings them in more money in revenues, and it saves them a ton of money in expenses, due to leveraging their bargaining/purchasing power.

The very companies you mentioned started with multiple units (a fleet) and knew how that system works, as did the bankers who financed their start-up expenses.

If you want to fight that fight with some of the most vicious business people known in the trucking industry, I say "go for it." But don't come looking for sympathy from those of us who know how it's going to play out eventually. Once that reality of being a minnow in an ocean full of sharks comes knocking on your door, it's usually too late for any hope of survival.

I see Kiosaki's statement a little bit different. Only because a group dedicated to the success of owner operators wouldn't be putting a message out there of not to do it. Nobody should venture blindly into any sort of business is the message I'm taking from his statement and there really is no "perfect" time to start a business. I don't think you just jumped into the sign industry without either being involved with it beforehand or getting into it through family but I could be wrong. Just as I myself didn't just open a body shop on a whim. So I see the statement as saying to inform yourself with as much information as possible, then lace up the boots, put on the big girl panties and get ready for some real work if you make the decision to move forward.

Norm, the reason my answer was short is a simple one. You'll go broke quick if you're going to work a business model on load boards and brokers. I won't get into a long discussion because that's not really the objective of this forum as it caters more towards getting new drivers in the door and an idea of what they're in store for to become a successful driver. OOIDA will have all the info you're looking for and I'll think you'll find that the vast majority of O/O lease their truck on with a company to get access to higher dollar contract freight and better loads because of their reputation in the industry.

I completely agree with you Robert, especially your comments on working load boards versus leasing on to a company. I was being somewhat sarcastic. I just thought you could choose to read it either way - the statement was worded in an ambiguous fashion.

You crafty old coot lol. :)

I literally LOVE learning from you Old School and Brett and Robert! I seem to just not be able to get enough. Thanks again😁.