Well, Its Official...We Are No Longer Owner Operators.

Yup, today we sold the truck, trailer, and all the equipment. Didn't get a great price, but it got us out from under the loans, and left some for a cushion. TSB may or may not be able to return to driving, so we thought this was the best way to go. And I, for one, was tired of the hassle. We can always go company, so it isn't a done deal yet...the asphalt still calls....

I know everyone here says its better to be a company driver. If you do not mind i would appreciate it if you would tell us the pay difference for you from when you were a company driver versus an o\o. You seem to be very knowledgable and I look forward to your response. Thanks.

Hey that's great you were able to sell everything. Wow, you must feel like 1000 pounds lighter without all of the equipment, bills, and debt!

It was a great relief, tho we hardly owed anything on the truck, and the trailer has been paid for for years. But the big relief is all the other costs of being an O/O. Fuel, tires, maintenance, permits, Heavy Use tax, ton mile tax, fuel taxes in each state, tags...the list goes on and on. To say I haven't enjoyed being an O/O would be a lie. But to say I could have enjoyed it as much or more as a company driver would probably be true also. You can't enjoy a paid vacation when the pay is low, and you know its not gonna cover the bills. We very seldom turned down a load, and the only time we were picky about loads is if they offered us one that wasn't in a freight lane...like a load to the tip of Florida. We'd have to bounce out of there empty, clear to GA. And it would be the same with being a company driver, only as a company driver, you would be paid for those bounce miles...we weren't, so the fuel was on us, as was the wasted time. And thats why we seldom went to FL. i'll still do my grape harvest thing, cuz I enjoy it, it pays outrageously, and I like being their token woman driver. TSB may find a local job, I doubt he'll go OTR again. Its a new adventure in our lives, and its one I welcome. After all Life is all about adventures.....I may haveta go drive truck in Australia, for a friend of ours...or I might try the oil fields....who knows ??

Star, I'm really glad for you guys, and hope your next adventure is a satisfying experience. I'm curious though, there must be some real ego rush or something like that to being an O/O. The reason I say that is that whenever I'm talking to one they always without fail try to convince me to either become one or join up with them. But, having had to interview people for years I can usually pose a question in such a way to get someone to volunteer some additional information other than what I'm specifically asking, and it almost always comes out that they are working like crazy, but are behind on most of their bills. So, my question is what makes them keep on banging their head against the wall like that when it's clearly not working?

Old School, the decision to become O/O was mine....and its one I've regretted for 10 years. But TSB liked whatever freedom he :thought: he had out on the road...I didn't ever figure that out. The last 10 years its been a struggle. and I have been unable to set aside $$ for retirement, so when it pencils out to being that close to a company drivers income, any other reason for owning the truck is inmaterial. But...it was a great adventure...