Owner Op Time?

I have decided to get my cdl on my own after talking to some companies and some drivers in my area (mostly Tyson Foods). My question especially to the owner ops out here is; with the addition of all the new load boards and apps for getting loads, is it worthwhile to explore the owner op world immediately? My situation is different because I was raised by a pair of owner operating grandparents and spent 15 summers in a truck plus many afterschool days polishing the alcoas and cleaning off that yellow cat.

Nice that you rode in the jump seat and had a washrag in your hand. Ready to go O/O with zero experience? Not remotely close. You will need much more time not just learning to drive, but to actually find out if being a trucker is a good fit before anything else.

To keep it short and sweet, you will make as much or more as a company driver than you will as a owner operator or lease driver. As a company driver you have far fewer risks, as a owner one break down could put you out of business.

I guess I should have been a little more clear. I would not jump right into the grind as O/O, I as just asking if that wait time as a company driver should be shorter. Thus of course would only happen if they OTR blood was passed down.

"As a company driver you have far fewer risks, as a owner one break down could put you out of business."

In the immortal words of Muhammad Ali: He who is not courageous enough to take risks in life will accomplish nothing.

With the seed money already in place from a settlement and inheritance, seems like I should at least try. That is if in fact this is my path. ☺

is it worthwhile to explore the owner op world immediately?

You made yourself clear. This site encourages new drivers and provides resources for a successful trucking career. We do not recommend leasing or ownership, especially for those with little to no knowledge of the industry.

You mentioned risk. If you were charged with a capital crime and facing the death penalty although you were innocent, would you want a first year law student defending you? THAT is the kind of risk of which we speak. Not "Oh i could lose $1000".

Most students who enter trucking do not last through orientation or training, let alone a full year. Indebting yourself so soon is well....foolish.

If you want answers on ownership, please visit the OOIDA website.

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

Proverbs 21:20

Hello David, and welcome to our forum!

Here's an article I think you might find helpful. So many people seem to think that the natural progression of their trucking career involves moving from company driver to owner/operator, but we don't really see that as a wise move. The economics of trucking has changed since your grandparents were in it, and there's really not a good financial incentive to owning your own truck.

The Natural Progression Of A Truck Driver's Career

I'm also curious about this statement...

I have decided to get my cdl on my own after talking to some companies and some drivers in my area

Are you going to a private school? We don't recommend avoiding some form of truck driver training. One of the most critical things you need to land a job as an inexperienced driver is the 160 hour training certificate the school provides you. It's certainly possible to get a CDL without the training, but getting a decent job is another story altogether.

David, you will need a minimum of 2 years experience to be insured by anyone. 4 years recommended.

No matter how easy it may seem to book loads, the insurance companies rule the industry.

The brokers and load boards popping up are not all they are cracked up to be.. There are good ones, but also many bad ones. Any reputable broker isn’t going to deal with anyone that is under a year with their own authority. Plus your seed money better be in the neighborhood of 200k to get up and running. Lease programs are a scam in my opinion.