Glad I Didn't Have To Pay For This
Topic 24627 | Page 1
Yesterday I was ready to go to work. Tried to start my truck. Nothing. Ohoh! I was at home and itching to get back on the road. So I haul out the battery tester and the batteries were fully charged. So I call emergency maintenance and everybody suspects the starter went mother in law. They decide to have it towed to a repair facility about an hour away. I asked the tow truck driver how much the tow would cost. He didn't know exactly but said "over $1000 for sure". Then I called the repair shop this morning and yup, it was the starter. Supposed to be done this afternoon and then I have to find a ride to go get it, plus 2 days idle with no pay. (Not complaining, I had plenty to catch up on). All I can say is this one relatively minor breakdown cost the company a lot of money. Don't think the trucking companies are breaking the bank. How many loads will I have to complete to make up for this expense to the company? I'm guessing 10 or 15? I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it.
Shhhhh... don't say things like that too loud! People might get upset to learn that trucking margins are tough and outside of the Giant carriers, the company owners don't all have Scrooge-McDuck-Gold-Coin Rooms! That's one of my favorite "Failed Trucker" posts on social media & trucking forums. "They pay me slave wages while buying a new (INSANELY EXPENSIVE ITEM) for his (SPOUSE/LOVER/KID)!"
Not trying to stir the pot here but a good owner operator would never have had the truck towed. They would have gone and picked up a starter (roughly $300) and installed it themself in about an hour and been back on the road.
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
Good thing they didn't force you to buy your own rig!
Not trying to stir the pot here but a good owner operator would never have had the truck towed. They would have gone and picked up a starter (roughly $300) and installed it themself in about an hour and been back on the road.
Yep. Been there and done it.
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
That's right about what most owner operators would do. That's the independent, can-do spirit of an OO. I would have done that myself if the company had let me. I would have considered it my "starter job".
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
That's right about what most owner operators would do. That's the independent, can-do spirit of an OO. I would have done that myself if the company had let me. I would have considered it my "starter job".
Bruce is being punny everywhere, thanks for the laughs today sir.
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
Thank you, Pete. I failed as a political commentator, so I'm trying to switch to humor. Much less controversial.
Thank you, Pete. I failed as a political commentator, so I'm trying to switch to humor. Much less controversial.
10,000 comedians out of work and you're trying to be funny !!!
The more o learn of the numerous out of pocket expenses LO's have, the more attractive being a company driver appeals to me.
The truck i just got off of that was in an accident was LO
He's had to pay
A motel room x 3 days
Towing back to Springfield
$1000 insurance deductible
Rental car back to Springfield
And that's just what I know of.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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Yesterday I was ready to go to work. Tried to start my truck. Nothing. Ohoh! I was at home and itching to get back on the road. So I haul out the battery tester and the batteries were fully charged. So I call emergency maintenance and everybody suspects the starter went mother in law. They decide to have it towed to a repair facility about an hour away. I asked the tow truck driver how much the tow would cost. He didn't know exactly but said "over $1000 for sure". Then I called the repair shop this morning and yup, it was the starter. Supposed to be done this afternoon and then I have to find a ride to go get it, plus 2 days idle with no pay. (Not complaining, I had plenty to catch up on). All I can say is this one relatively minor breakdown cost the company a lot of money. Don't think the trucking companies are breaking the bank. How many loads will I have to complete to make up for this expense to the company? I'm guessing 10 or 15? I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for it.