I'd Like To Hear From Some LP Drivers...

Hey all. Not like I'm thinking of doing this right away, mind you, but maybe some time down the line.

My training has been going great. Robert is an excellent trainer. He's been talking a lot about the business side of trucking. He's an LP driver. He started on day one as an LP driver for Western Express. He seems to be making some good money as one and even though I haven't even got my first check, I know I'm not really going to make any decent money as a company driver...at least not with Western Express.

So, anyone else here an LP driver? How has your experience been with it? Does the rewards outweigh the risks?

Like a said, if I were to take the plunge, it wouldn't be any time soon. Just wanted some honest feedback about it. Thanks!

James, you've got maybe ten or twelve days in with a LP trainer. I could have predicted this outcome with 100% accuracy. You're now making comments like this...

I know I'm not really going to make any decent money as a company driver...at least not with Western Express.

Where in the world did you get this kind of mentality? From your trainer!

Here's a guy who is making so much money that you'd think he'd be making plans to lease another couple of trucks and start hiring drivers. But no, what's he doing? He's having to be a trainer just so he can realize a little much needed cash flow.

Why do you think the trainers are always the LP drivers? It seems it would be the company driver's who are needing that extra money.

I'll never tell you it can't be done successfully. I'll always tell you it should only be attempted after having about three years experience. Please don't get distracted with that notion at this point.

I personally think it's a bad idea from a business perspective. Who wants a business where the people you are contracted to control the price you can charge and the volume of work you get? That's outrageous and wrong.

Disclaimer... I've never been a LP driver. I know you wanted to hear from some, but I just couldn't help myself.

We have a few drivers here who are trying it, but I don't think we have any that have been at it for very long. The longer one does it the more liability they are exposed to. That's why it really feels good at the beginning. As time goes by, the realities of business start to weigh down the initial joy of independence.

Hi Old School. Actually, I've been trying to do the math myself. I'll be making 40 cpm. I'm 25k in debt. I'd like to pay that all off ASAP and start saving towards what I dream about. Owning some nice land, getting a nice modular home built and I don't know....enjoy life. I know I'm going to be living in my truck; literally; and I know it will take getting use to, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a truck.

Realistically, the only way that I think I can possibly make that happen is if I brought home at least 1k a week...after taxes and benefits.

Realistically, can I do that on 40 cpm? I'm thinking it's not possible. I know there's risk with what he is doing and I'm just asking others other than Robert about the risks, but also if anyone has really been successful at it. I have no clue if he's being honest, but at the same time, why would he lie? He's told me that he usually pockets; after expenses; $1300 to $1500 a week. He said his best 2 weeks were around $1800 and $1900. He's always talking to other LP drivers. I'm pretty sure they are all with Western Express. He's always asking them how they are doing and they all seem to ask him for advice. He's not trying to talk me into anything. TBH, he said he thinks it would be a good idea to be a company driver for a while and inform myself on the price of diesel in different states and areas, comparing diesel from the big chains like Pilot and small Mom & Pop stations, learning the shipping routes, how to tell a good load from a bad load, etc. I think he honestly wants me to do my homework and make an informed decision.

So, has anyone here went through the process of being an LP driver and were successful?

James, you've got maybe ten or twelve days in with a LP trainer. I could have predicted this outcome with 100% accuracy. You're now making comments like this...

I know I'm not really going to make any decent money as a company driver...at least not with Western Express.

Where in the world did you get this kind of mentality? From your trainer!

Here's a guy who is making so much money that you'd think he'd be making plans to lease another couple of trucks and start hiring drivers. But no, what's he doing? He's having to be a trainer just so he can realize a little much needed cash flow.

Why do you think the trainers are always the LP drivers? It seems it would be the company driver's who are needing that extra money.

I'll never tell you it can't be done successfully. I'll always tell you it should only be attempted after having about three years experience. Please don't get distracted with that notion at this point.

I personally think it's a bad idea from a business perspective. Who wants a business where the people you are contracted to control the price you can charge and the volume of work you get? That's outrageous and wrong.

Disclaimer... I've never been a LP driver. I know you wanted to hear from some, but I just couldn't help myself.

We have a few drivers here who are trying it, but I don't think we have any that have been at it for very long. The longer one does it the more liability they are exposed to. That's why it really feels good at the beginning. As time goes by, the realities of business start to weigh down the initial joy of independence.

His after expenses numbers do not take into account taxes and health insurance. As a company drive making 40 CPM it is possible to take home $1000.00/week sometimes. There is not really a regular paycheck per week while OTR. Your first year solo is all about learning. As you improve, your speed does. You will need to learn clock management, backing and more. How do things like that affect a new driver. For example a new driver might take 30 minutes to get into a dock door, while and experienced drive might do it in 5 minutes. 25 minutes faster getting unloaded means moving on faster.

There is so much to learn driving, navigating, backing and more.

I would not advise leasing without a minimum of 3 years experience. By that time you've had time to learn the business.

Best wishes to you.

OS I was thinking along the same lines you were. I’ve seen the scenario many times over the years.

James the numbers you are putting out here are pretty typical from my experience. Which sounds good at face value.

Here is what your not being told!!

That is a 1099 position. You have to develop your own company and get a TIN number under the company name with the IRS and depending what state you run your business what those costs will be. Georgia charges 50.00 a year to register with the secretary of state. Several years ago you could do it as a sole prioperitor but that went away, if your doing it legally. You have to pay income tax on that money.

No benifits at all just cash. You will find health insurance for one person is far more expensive than in a group plan.

Now his fixed costs and recurring weekly expenses are deducted from the settlement by the company. The lease payment, insurance, communication charges, transponder charges, base plates are all fixed costs per week. Fuel, maintance account, repairs, escrow account are all variable.

Every quarter you will have the fuel tax report done and may end up paying out money because not enough taxes were prepaid from the pump. Every state has a different tax rate.

Yearly HUT is due and that is extra as well. Generally about 550.00 a year.

They may or may not charge a trailer charge. Basically a rental fee. Some companies do, some don’t. Generally companies pay 65-70 percent of the linehaul. You have no say how they price the load so your hoping they priced it well. Fuel surcharge is applied to contracted loads. How do they pay that? Do they pass 100% to the LP driver or do they take a percentage of that also?

They also dictate where you fuel. Mostly majors because they prepurchase x number of gallons a month at a reduced price. What discount are they passing on??

These companies are under scrutiny over predatory leasing contracts by the feds and they are finding some very bad leases, many more than fair ones and congress has taken a big interest. AB5 type of changes may be coming down the road through the DOL.

There is much more too this, but if your looking for a angle to make some magical pot of money leasing a truck from a carrier is certainly not the way to go. They dictate how much you can make and can find a way to break the lease and show you the door, and you loose everything you invested.

I bought my own 6 yrs ago. The past 2 years has been a constant struggle with this ecomony and the end is not in sight yet. This industry normally has highs and lows and you can rock along. This low has remained far longer in recent history and companies are going out of business monthly.

Learn your craft well, become efficient and income will follow. Once you get 1-2 years under your belt many other oppurtunties will open up.

Hey James. I’m glad to hear you are getting on well with your trainer and making progress in the process.

I can understand you need to make some money. But you are going to be making the .40 CPM for the foreseeable future. And since you will be one of us “truck dwelling creatures”, it would be best to concentrate on keeping your expenditures low while on the road. After you gain some experience you can look for a job that pays better, but realistically that would require a minimum of 6 months solo experience. And at that point, whenever it comes, I would see no big benefit to you from going LP.

There are many ways to keep your expenses low while you are living in your truck. It might be good for you to start a thread dedicated to that goal. You would get a lot of tips from drivers who are frugal (like me) and have devised ways to keep expenditures to a minimum. But right now you need to concentrate on getting through the first 6 months to a year and then maybe think about a job that pays more CPM. Keeping your record clean is the most important thing right now. A clean record will translate to more money in your pocket from day one. As you learn the trade, you will become more efficient and turn more safe miles. That’s the way to climb the earnings ladder.

That's some great advice from the man with the new knees!

I am currently L/O, and only went that route to get away from a bad personality conflict. I knew the risks and understood what my numbers NEEDED to be, to make it make sense.

With two years as a company driver, there was much hesitation before I pulled that trigger.

Having said that, my advice to you, where you are right now, is under no circumstances would I suggest L/O or L/P. I was in a position much as yourself. You don't have time to worry about the debt you ALREADY owe. Lease is a real fast quick and in a hurry way to amass huge debt and get your A$$ handed to you financially.

I only do it, because I am still, after it is all said and done with taxes and expenses, ahead of where I realistically CAN be if I go home to Montana. Had I lived in a location with more opportunities that fit my skills, that balance would not be worth it.

Spend the first year figuring out how to safely do your job. Those debts will be there waiting, wether you pay the minimums or throw everything at it. This is not a get rich quick situation, and this freight market sucks for it.

None of us on this forum have steered you wrong yet, and I would hate to see you get into a worse situation than you were when you started.

Hey all. That's exactly why I love it here. Lots of people with sound advice. That's all I was really looking for and I got it in spades.

It definitely sounds like there's too much risk and not enough reward. I guess that's all I need to know.

I know the debts will just sit there, but there was one other thing that I didn't mention. As much as I'd like to just let my apartment go, I kinda need to hold it for now, simply because of an agreement I have with my wife to hold all her things and send it when I can. I know with just starting out with Western Express I'm sure I simply can't ask for 3 days or so to take off, find a storage facility, move everything in there, find scrappers to take out my old sofa and bed, clean the entire apartment, etc. If I don't keep her things safe and send it all to her.....she's gonna hit me with alimony. Well, that and put her on my insurance as well. I wish I could hit the lottery...lol!

I'll just hang out as a company driver and do the best I can and pray I have enough for rent and expenses on the road.

Everyone drive safely and I'll TTYL 👋.

You need to focus on finishing your training and getting accident/injury free experience under your belt. I’ve read through your other post without commenting but you have to keep your eye on the prize. Look at this first year as an investment in your future and learn as much as you can. You’re not going to get rich your first year, period. There are plenty of really good paying jobs available to drivers with a good/safe track record. If you don’t stay focused at the task at hand you’re never going to succeed. Get your year of safe driving and then find something that fits better.

FYI I make a lot more than the lease driver you mention… as a company driver that’s home daily and weekends off.. so yeah. Focus on your training, good drivers will always be in demand so become one and your have the opportunity to make plenty of money.

Doesn’t seem like your focused on what’s really important right now.