Let The Process Begin!

Say it ain’t so...

I know many of you will disagree with my decision, but after thoroughly considering all facets between company and lease op, I have for a variety of reasons decided to go lease op.

Yup, entirely. Leases are skewed in favor of the company. Plain and simple.

What are your reasons? Please share.

We may not agree with your decision, however it was yours to make. Please stick around and keep us updated on how things go for you.

Absolutely, I wouldnt be where I'm at without the great advise, help, and encouragement from the awesome people here!

Michael, you already know how we think it's incredibly foolish to start your trucking career as a lease operator. I'm not going to keep gnawing at that bone, but I just have never understood how you guys who love all the advice we give in here seem to think we don't know what we're talking about when we advise you not to lease a truck.

Could you address that for me? Could you explain the lure? It can't be the money - one of Prime's lease drivers gave us the number for failed leases at Prime coming in around 75%! They went broke. So, what could possibly be pulling you into this snare? I seriously want to understand it.

Good luck with your awful decision.

Congrats on making it through the 30k TNT. I sincerely wish you nothing but the best going forward. No, we don't agree with your decision, but at least you have some past experience to draw from.

But I gotta ask:

after thoroughly considering all facets between company and lease op,

Just what are those facets you thoroughly considered? What led you to make your decision? I'm genuinely curious. We ask this all the time, but never get any solid verifiable answers. Just the same ol' -Be the Boss, make gobs more than a lowly company driver, go home when you want, etc. etc. None of which is true, or at all distinguishable from a good company driver.

Good luck though, seriously. Let us know how it works out.

Technically I'm not starting my career out as a lease op, I have 15 years experience, but been out of the game for 10 years, also I did previously do a lease op with another company and actually made pretty good money back then. I have a pretty good business head on my shoulders via a lot of years of self employment, and I do know how to work a lease, run and operate smart and make good money at it. Primes lease program is actually way better than the one I was involved in previously, and I did well there. The only reason I quit leasing and got out of trucking before was that I took the money I had saved up and pursued a different business opportunity at home to make the significant other happier,,, single now, and, although I came here planning on going company, I just decided after looking at their program to go for it.

It's not a dis on advice given by people here, I received a lot of great advice that I've used here, and I did consider the advice about leasing, but self employment is just kind of ingrained in me after all these years and is my preference.

Michael, you already know how we think it's incredibly foolish to start your trucking career as a lease operator. I'm not going to keep gnawing at that bone, but I just have never understood how you guys who love all the advice we give in here seem to think we don't know what we're talking about when we advise you not to lease a truck.

Could you address that for me? Could you explain the lure? It can't be the money - one of Prime's lease drivers gave us the number for failed leases at Prime coming in around 75%! They went broke. So, what could possibly be pulling you into this snare? I seriously want to understand it.

Congrats and good luck.

Please read the contract about 100 times. And this thread.

Actual Annual Lease Op Figures

Also be aware that freight rates dropped. Most solo lease ops are only getting $800 per week before taxes.

I never rely on Facebook, but it amazes me that while the lease ops are complaining they are making HALF of what many company drivers are, they still do it for the "be my own boss" feeling.

I left Prime with a student on Wed of last week. i talked to my FM one time on the phone since. Otherwise it was message of a load, shutting down, and ETA stuff. So i am my own boss. I route and fuel where i want, and actually take time off unlike most lease ops.

Please consider doing company for a couple months. You may be surprised at your freedom and lack of anxiety. If you cant stand it then switch, but do not listen to the lies lease ops perpetuate a out the differenxe between company vs lease.

Either way, im here to help you once you get out there.