Owner Operator Question ?

[davekc]

All of the above just goes to show that there are many paths to success. The wife and I have been very fortunate before expediting.
Even now, the majority of our luck has not come from expediting, but from other business adventures.
We do however have a passion for this industry and have been both fleet owners as well as individual owners.
As with any endeavor, dedication, some common sense, and the right attitude will get you everything you have coming.
Davekc

 

[pellgrn]

I agree,a little luck never hurt either.I sometimes think you can sum up expediting as being in the right place at the right time

 

[davekc]

"ight place at the right time".......no doubt about it!
Davekc

 

[Tom Robertson]

ATeam:
Thanks for your responses! You may be a newbie but I certainly agree with your words of wisdom.
The "team" concept is one that we have embraced for some time. Our drivers have the other drivers phone numbers and are encouraged to talk with each other. They often meet when in the same city and have lunch or dinner. They also assist one another in situations where the experienced makes it easier for the novice.
We have three drivers who are former "owners" and have found that our pay system is more profitable than owning themselves. It seems that many owner operators do not have the financial backing to take care of major repairs and find themselves going further into debt to protect their income. Shelling out $10k for a new engine can be backbreaker for many owner operators and the end of that endeavor. We recently lost a 10K engine, and had the driver back on the road with a reman within 3 days. Instead of having to arrange financing and making all the calls himself our driver was making a positive income within 3 days.
Your comments on retiring with a significant sum of money requires discipline and sadly that is something that most people do not have. But I agree, it certainly is possible and should be embraced by all. The problem for most seems to be the "must have it now" attitude. That attitude has destroyed many lives.
Again thanks for your resonses, and good luck in your "backyard"!