Owner Operator Woes

So today I went over to the Frightliner shop hoping my truck would be done today. It wasn’t. They said tomorrow morning. I hung out in the driver’s lounge for most of the day with an O/O whose truck broke down and was in for a much lesser problem than mine. I had a front row seat to observe his sad situation. Too many issues to describe here but it was like he stepped in quick sand and was going deeper and deeper. He only has the one truck, but his plan to solve his problems in the long term is to obtain two additional trucks. He was so stressed out by the end of the day that I thought he was going to have a stroke. We both left at the same time to go back to our motel rooms. He is paying out of pocket for his room and expenses and mine are being paid by my company. Plus I’m getting very generous breakdown pay. I feel bad for the guy but he drove for Werner for some time and then got his truck and trailer through them. This is an experience I won’t soon forget.

My dad works for a international dealership as a foreman and he sees this kind of stuff daily. He has tons of stories of O/O similar to what you saw. One guy a week or two ago put himself in the hospital from stressing so much over the repair bill.

I know how he feels!!!

I have seen too many to keep count that drive their equipment into the ground, and don’t put money back. They get good money and think they got it made, for that day.

These days will come at some point. I hate having to get work done on the road. My mechanic does a great job, and I have been very lucky to generally nurse it home. However I keep it up and fix little things before they become big things. At some point we all breakdown.

However I keep it up and fix little things before they become big things.

This is one of the smartest things you can do. My dad was just telling me about a guy who called him Friday said he had no oil pressure, engine temp was high and sounded off. This same guy declined to fix a couple oil leaks he was told about. My dad told him to check the daily, when he asked this guy if he's been checking it he said "no I've been busy". Now he probably needs a new engine