Rookie Considering A Lease

I say do it tomorrow! Definitely, because you have this trucking thing all figured out. Let us all know when you get rich quick, okay? Good luck.

Your thinking is very dangerous. The day you think you know it all is the day you get out of the truck. This isnt a job it is a way of life. In trucking as you already know we live to work not work to live.

Being an o/o or lease operator means you are going to have to work harder. Making sure you can make the truck payment as well as making enough to survive along with being able to pay for fuel and maintenance. If you want to work less i suggest looking into other industries. The bare minimum will only get you so far.

Oh, another thought.. I once had a trainee (from Chicago). She was an awesome person but it was immediately clear OTR wasn't her cup of tea. I suggested she get a 8 hr a day job doing airport shuttles or driving a city bus in Chicago and that's exactly what she's doing now. It suits her and she loves it.

Considering where you live, something similar may also be an option. CTA started her off at $25/hour and she works 8 hour shifts and off every weekend. She's in her early 20's so she can enjoy her single night life on Saturday nights with her friends with no problem.

Oh he is cynical! Duh, just like I'm lazy :) That's not a bad thing imho.

I did ask him about numbers, but he doesn't have specifics. I would need to ask the general manager about that AND I can't ask the GM right away because "it never came from me", ie if the GM finds out that safety told me to ask safety will get chewed out, so I need to wait...

Let me say that putting down 40-100 g's on a used truck isn't a problem, I have that kind of money available at about 2% a year interest indefinitely. The company would help out on maintenance and fuel. And they have plenty of miles...

I'm waiting for more experience before jumping ship. I firmly believe in giving my first company a full year UNLESS they seriously suck or the opportunity of the ages presents itself. After all, they hired a rookie w/ no previous job experience and trained me, so I owe them that much. Also, 90% of trainees don't make it a year at my company, and I feel like beating the pack to boost my ego, or something.

No seriously, this is the only job where I've actually beaten 90% of the competition. I guess because I'm like a slow, plodding horse. Emphasis on the slow, and the plodding...

I read the owners book, and some of the posts... but I wanted to know about the possibility of part-time fleets, lease numbers, etc so I asked. It's a specific question, "Can I make 700 a week running 3-4 days a week" that wasn't answered specifically anywhere else.

inb4 u all jump on me.

This site actually convinced me to try trucking. I've read it.

As far as uber goes. The margins are rather iffy because I don't want to live near a big enough city that the work is out there... also I like older mod motor cars... think 90s town cars and mustangs... not exactly uber age requirements, eh?

I did UPS as a driver helper, they told me to wait until I had a year of experience then come back and ask for a job and I'd have it.

Again, part-time is my emerging goal, just wondering if it's doable.

NE, I stand corrected about the numbers deal & the researching this site assumption. I'll be as brief as possible. You don't have to throw Mr. Cynical under the bus by going to your GM. You can just say you're considering the lease thingy & just want input. Done!

It's not about the truck payments, even if it's 2% interest, it's about the operating expenses, it's about when it's in the shop & there's no income, it's about when your sick & there's no income, it's about the slim profit margins, on & on...

I'm sure with more experience under your belt, you will find exactly the company that fits your lifestyle! I get it, your not ambitious, not looking to be a millionaire driving a truck, & I agree it's not a bad thing. Just that this industry, as I understand it, is very demanding. But, at the same time, it's very diverse. I hope you can find a good fit for your lifestyle.

In terms of 90's town cars in Uber? They'd love you here in NYC! Those Camrys are very tight. That town car would be like a limo to your riders! HA!

According to Susan's post, it's very doable. Good luck. Just keep that safety record clean & let time along with experience help you fulfill your goal! I wish you all the best. God bless & stay safe.

Sorry, I screwed up your quote separators. But I get you! HAHA!

Reyn, you're from Ridgewood, I'm from Bushwick! Very cool. I used to work at Grimaldi's on Menahan and Grandview.

N.E., you're getting enough good information about NOT going Owner, so I won't duplicate that.

But here's a hint about how much you know about the freight business:

Roehl doesn't offer [part time schedules] where I live or in New Hampshire where I'm planning to move.

What kind of freight starts, ends or goes through New Hampshire? That's why Roehl doesn't have any part timers up there: there's no business!

So if you live in NH but want to drive part time, you'll waste a day or so just getting to work.

Yes, go get that truck of your own, drive part time, and in a few months you'll want to get rid of that money pit on wheels that's bleeding your bank account dry or worse.

Reyn, you're from Ridgewood, I'm from Bushwick! Very cool. I used to work at Grimaldi's on Menahan and Grandview.

I grew up in Williamsburg (S. 3rd & Hooper, 3 years in Paterson, NJ (Main St), back to Bushwick (Knickerbocker & Hancock), East New York, Flushing, Glendale & now Ridgewood (Fresh Pond & Myrtle). Can't wait to leave in March!!

Reyn, you're from Ridgewood, I'm from Bushwick! Very cool. I used to work at Grimaldi's on Menahan and Grandview.

I grew up in Williamsburg (S. 3rd & Hooper, 3 years in Paterson, NJ (Main St), back to Bushwick (Knickerbocker & Han****), East New York, Flushing, Glendale & now Ridgewood (Fresh Pond & Myrtle). Can't wait to leave in March!!

This is hysterical! Ok I'm sure Banks knows the name of the cross street at Knickerbocker but for those that don't: Han**** equals Han-male member. As in John Han****! HAHAHA!

I went to 151 on Knickerbocker and Halsey. My wife is from Williamsburg, North 8 and Bedford. Fresh pond and Myrtle is tough. The traffic, pedestrian and vehicular, is insane. It's always been one of my most hated intersections. I couldn't wait to get out of there either, but some days you miss the convenience of it.