Start Out Trucking As An O.O. Or Should I Work For A Company First?

Hi, just finishing up trucking school, and was curious what thoughts are out there for someone like me to get out and hit the road running as an owner operator? Or should I get my feet wet with a OTR company first?. Married with kids, etc. I am a big fan of running my own business and I enjoy the heck out of the open road freedom, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, just finishing up trucking school, and was curious what thoughts are out there for someone like me to get out and hit the road running as an owner operator?

Hey Marvin, welcome to trucking, and to our forum! My first thought is, "Are you crazy Marvin?"

I am a long time business owner. I always enjoyed being in charge, taking chances, and making sure things worked. But... I was in sort of a niche business in a unique market. After 30 years of being involved in the business of manufacturing custom electrical signs I decided to get into trucking for a second career. Like you, I first thought I should be an Owner/Operator, but I just couldn't make the numbers work on paper. No matter how I twisted it, I always came up short. So, I made the wise decision to be a company driver.

Marvin, trucking is so much like being self employed that you'll either really enjoy the lifestyle or you'll hate it. You're going to need to expose yourself to this for several years before making that leap into ownership, and I wouldn't recommend it at that point either. There's no way to distinguish yourself in trucking. Everyone is doing the same thing. We offer the same services with the same equipment and travel on the same highways. We are all having to work under the same regulations and rules, and we all burn the same fuel (for the most part).

We get our loads by having the best price, combined with the best service. It's a commodities business - the person who can offer the cheapest bid moves the freight. Do you want to play that game against the big companies who can leverage great deals on all the overhead expenses that you'll be paying full price for? I've written a number of articles on this subject. Here's a couple of them for you to take a look at. You definitely don't want to jump right into running your own trucking company with zero experience. Just for grins, you should call a few insurance companies and see if they would insure your truck, and get some estimates. I think you're going to be surprised at what you find.

The Natural Progression Of A Truck Driver's Career

Confessions Of An Owner Operator

I find it fascinating, in this day and age of the internet, and the massive amount of information, literally at our fingertips, how anyone could head off to truck driving school with little to no research. Have you been to other forums or websites prior to showing up here? What have you heard or been told about being an Owner Operator. I am truly curious. Not trying to belittle you in any way.

Marvin, for you to go OO, especially right out of the gate in your career, would be like climbing on a bridge rail and jumping to your death, all the while everyone here is saying: "Marvin! Don't jump! It's not worth it!"

Okay, I know that illustration is too dramatic, but you get the point.

Let us put it this way....if you had a brain tumor and your friend tells you "I just finished my first semester of pre-med in college, I could.operate on you"....would you recommend that?

It is pretty much the equivalent as what you are asking. If i was on death row, i wouldnt want a recent grad working on my appeal. would you?

If you dont want to get your feet wet as you put it, you could lose everything including those wife, kids and home you have now.

Let us put it this way....if you had a brain tumor and your friend tells you "I just finished my first semester of pre-med in college, I could.operate on you"....would you recommend that?

It is pretty much the equivalent as what you are asking. If i was on death row, i wouldnt want a recent grad working on my appeal. would you?

If you dont want to get your feet wet as you put it, you could lose everything including those wife, kids and home you have now.

It would be like attempting to fly without a broom. Not a good idea for someone brand new.

Hey Marvin. welcome to our corner of the internet. Congratulations on graduating. Big step! I'm leaving this weekend to school myself. It's all for the wife a kids, am I right? I know I'm gonna be missing mine.

Here's my thoughts and you can do what you'd like with them.

Do you know how to ride a bike? I do. I learned when I was a kid. I can jump onto any bike a ride it. I have that skill. I can even shift a 10 speed bike through all the gears! However, I will not be entering the Tour de France this year. I just don't think I can compete at that level. I hope that makes sense.

Another thing to think about is this: Imagine how much extra time it will take you to handle EVERY aspect of that truck. monitoring fuel prices and expenditures. Finding and scheduling your loads. Sourcing and paying for misc. repairs. That's a bunch of paperwork, stress, and BS to pile onto your shoulders, man. Maybe that time could be better spent Skyping your family? Finding a cute toy to take home to the favorite child? (don't lie. we have them...) We are just getting into this business. We don't know a damn thing yet other than how to drive. Maybe not even that well, yet!

Yes, you can go the O/O route, should you choose. The good Lord gave us free will and authority. But PERSONALLY, I'd rather have less to worry about and more time to spend on enjoyable things.

Good luck to you, Marvin.