OO/LO Vs. Company Driver

We'll actually get a firsthand account from Patrick (LDRSHP) - who is going to operate someone else's truck, as an LO/OO operator. Waiting to hear him relate his experiences.

Rick

I won’t be an O/O, but like an O/O it will be in my best interest to do what I can personally. I will have many of the headaches. It is going to be a great learning experience. I will definitely get a good view thru that window. I just won’t have all the risk. But I have to worry about keeping the truck profitable to be able to keep a job. LoL

This is not for everyone. You need to be in a position of standing that allows for this unpredictable model of business.

Translation: You'd better have considerable savings put aside. Why? Because you're gonna need it.

The reason those older guys are going LO/OO (more so OO) isn't only about the money but about the quality of life. As an OO your cherry picking your loads that fit your economics. Your no longer running for quantity but for quality. Meanwhile your time off is much greater to pursue other interests/hobbies. You only run hard when the economics dictates so. This is not for everyone. You need to be in a position of standing that allows for this unpredictable model of business.

Hummm... I'm not convinced these guys get greater time off to pursue other interests/hobbies unless those hobbies are fixing their own truck and doing book keeping.

The reason those older guys are going LO/OO (more so OO) isn't only about the money but about the quality of life. As an OO your cherry picking your loads that fit your economics. Your no longer running for quantity but for quality. Meanwhile your time off is much greater to pursue other interests/hobbies.

These type comments are always amusing to me. If anybody can show me some hard evidence that they now get to work less, make more money, and have "much greater" time off because they've become an O/O, I'd be reallly impressed. Unfortunately no one has ever been able to produce that evidence.

We've got a few really talented O/O's in here as members. If any of what Mark M is saying here were true, these guys would confirm it for us. I've been in business for years - it always requires more work and more sacrifice than being an employee. There are no shortcuts to wealth or achieving a higher income.

Translation: You'd better have considerable savings put aside. Why? Because you're gonna need it.

More so, you should have enough to finance your entire startup with cash. You should have zero debt obligations including your home and have additional savings. You should have at least a couple years of driving experience.

By being in a position of standing, you will not be under pressure to except work that doesn't fit your model of economics. It's about quality, not quantity, as an OO. As long as your return on your investment, your time, exceeds an alternative passive model, you will happily succeed and grow the business thru the inevitable cycles. This would be a choice of life style for those who value their free time as much as their return on investment. The most successful investments are those businesses of your own making.

Mark, Would you care to share your business model with us, and how it works for you? How many weeks/months do you run per year? Miles? Your fixed costs even when you are not running. Net annual income? I for one would be interested to see the breakdown. Thanks

you should have enough to finance your entire startup with cash.

Mark, I'm gonna ask you politely to quit putting out this nonsense. I've been a long time business owner and one thing anybody in business understands is that you hold onto your cash. Money is cheaper now than it has been in a long time. Any smart business person wouldn't dump all their cash into a one truck startup. They'd have good credit established and have the ability to make good use of it.

Some of your comments have been allowed because they are helpful for us to point out the error in them, but until you have some really solid experience and sound advice as a business operator, please hold off on the misleading advice.

Hummm... I'm not convinced these guys get greater time off to pursue other interests/hobbies unless those hobbies are fixing their own truck and doing book keeping.

In truth, like a lot of new small business owners. Most folks will fail at their new business for many different reasons. Thus my "fool proof" method of success or at the worst breaking even. Which is the only scenario outcome that would allow me to start up a new business.

More so, you should have enough to finance your entire startup with cash. You should have zero debt obligations including your home and have additional savings. You should have at least a couple years of driving experience.

Ok.......,.I think that criteria fits about zero percent of the truck driving population. I could think of lots of other ways to earn a return on $500,000 with much less risk than an expensive truck, trailer, and huge operating overhead. Glad it's working out for you.

Tractor Man, I don't know much about Mark M, but I certainly don't believe he's an O/O. If he is, he's very new to the game. His comments make it obvious.