This was posted a couple of times in the past to answer newbie questions, which seem to be repeatedly asked on this and other forums here on EO. I thought now would be a good time to repeat it, as I´ve recieved a few emails asking about it over the months. I hope this helps those of you contemplating the move to enter this industry.
We´ll begin with The Game Plan.
By now you´ve sat around and fantisized about going expediting, but you´re not sure. Step one, get on the internet, (this site is a good source. Do some searching in the archives.) Start collecting company literature. Read everyhting. Step two, go to a truck stop (big one),get more literature, and talk to drivers from the companies you read about, and ask them the questions that you want to know. Step three, call the recruiters, and ask them the same specific questions that you asked the drivers. This process should give you an "idea", of what this business can offer you. You will never get a true picture, because there is none.You will hear good and bad about every aspect of trucking, and every company, from everybody you talk to, because that´s the way it is. There is good and bad in every segment, and every company. Step four, decide on a company, a unit size you want to run, and jump in.
To be sucessful, be willing to work. Trucking is a lifestyle, as well as a career. I´m speaking from 20 years of experience when I say this. For the most part, failures in trucking happen to those that don´t know how to manage time and money, bottom line. I´ve seen it over and over. The guy that wants to be home every weekend, the guy that turns down load after load (we all turn down loads from time to time for various reasons). The truckstop cowboy who spends $50 a day on video machines, or turns down a good load to watch the game, etc. There are many ways to mismanage.
Be realistic. Very important! How much money can you make? If you´re a single driver you can expect to earn on average (52 weeks) about $1000-$1200 per week as an owner operator in a D unit. Less revenue, in B and C units, because the mileage rate is lower. If you run team, you should make $2000-$2200. Both of these figures should be take home pay (net in your pocket) if you´re out there and available. When´expediting is busy, (august to december) you will have weeks doubling these figures and more. But , you will AVERAGE over 52 weeks, what I´m talking about. If you´re consistently doing better than that running under someone elses authority, you have found it! It won´t get any better than that. Stay there. You know more than most of us.
The economics of it all is that every company charges virtually the same price to move frieght. They wiggle a little to get business, just like the astute O&O takes a low payer run for his own personal reasons every once in awhile. One company may pay a high dollar figure per loaded mile, but by the time you figure in the deadhead, the overhead costs etc. All COMPANIES PAY VIRTUALLY THE SAME, BECAUSE THAT IS THE FIGURE IT TAKES TO MOVE FRIEGHT, PERIOD.
To sum up, the more loaded miles you run the more money you make. The more time you spend at home or doing whatever, the less you make. Very pragmatic. Make up your mind that you´re going to make money, be available to run, and manage. Watch your bottom line. Keep your payments as low as possible when starting out, keep your road expenses down, until you see as an owner operator where you are over a 6 month period. Also heed the advice of others and drive for someone, to see if it´s for you, before spending several thousand on the truck with all the bells and whistles. Good luck. Don´t be dazzled by the high gross figure a company may throw at you. Do your homework, and you´ll see the averages. Pay attention to what they pay for you , so you don´t have to pay it out of that high gross.
I think trucking is a great career. Who knows how far you can go.
We´ll begin with The Game Plan.
By now you´ve sat around and fantisized about going expediting, but you´re not sure. Step one, get on the internet, (this site is a good source. Do some searching in the archives.) Start collecting company literature. Read everyhting. Step two, go to a truck stop (big one),get more literature, and talk to drivers from the companies you read about, and ask them the questions that you want to know. Step three, call the recruiters, and ask them the same specific questions that you asked the drivers. This process should give you an "idea", of what this business can offer you. You will never get a true picture, because there is none.You will hear good and bad about every aspect of trucking, and every company, from everybody you talk to, because that´s the way it is. There is good and bad in every segment, and every company. Step four, decide on a company, a unit size you want to run, and jump in.
To be sucessful, be willing to work. Trucking is a lifestyle, as well as a career. I´m speaking from 20 years of experience when I say this. For the most part, failures in trucking happen to those that don´t know how to manage time and money, bottom line. I´ve seen it over and over. The guy that wants to be home every weekend, the guy that turns down load after load (we all turn down loads from time to time for various reasons). The truckstop cowboy who spends $50 a day on video machines, or turns down a good load to watch the game, etc. There are many ways to mismanage.
Be realistic. Very important! How much money can you make? If you´re a single driver you can expect to earn on average (52 weeks) about $1000-$1200 per week as an owner operator in a D unit. Less revenue, in B and C units, because the mileage rate is lower. If you run team, you should make $2000-$2200. Both of these figures should be take home pay (net in your pocket) if you´re out there and available. When´expediting is busy, (august to december) you will have weeks doubling these figures and more. But , you will AVERAGE over 52 weeks, what I´m talking about. If you´re consistently doing better than that running under someone elses authority, you have found it! It won´t get any better than that. Stay there. You know more than most of us.
The economics of it all is that every company charges virtually the same price to move frieght. They wiggle a little to get business, just like the astute O&O takes a low payer run for his own personal reasons every once in awhile. One company may pay a high dollar figure per loaded mile, but by the time you figure in the deadhead, the overhead costs etc. All COMPANIES PAY VIRTUALLY THE SAME, BECAUSE THAT IS THE FIGURE IT TAKES TO MOVE FRIEGHT, PERIOD.
To sum up, the more loaded miles you run the more money you make. The more time you spend at home or doing whatever, the less you make. Very pragmatic. Make up your mind that you´re going to make money, be available to run, and manage. Watch your bottom line. Keep your payments as low as possible when starting out, keep your road expenses down, until you see as an owner operator where you are over a 6 month period. Also heed the advice of others and drive for someone, to see if it´s for you, before spending several thousand on the truck with all the bells and whistles. Good luck. Don´t be dazzled by the high gross figure a company may throw at you. Do your homework, and you´ll see the averages. Pay attention to what they pay for you , so you don´t have to pay it out of that high gross.
I think trucking is a great career. Who knows how far you can go.
