THE MAN

Mile Marker#10

the man\ n: 1 an employer that expects employees of that particular company to comply with their standard set of rules \ 2 Working for someone other than yourself

As attractive as it may sound, purchasing a truck and being your own boss comes with a price and a risk. This breed of truck drivers are known as owner/operators. I do not recommend a person without a trucking background or deep pockets to venture down this path. Not only will you be a driver, you will now be running a business. In trucking, this is the closest you can get to being your own boss. Working for a company as a driver comes with it's limited freedom. Owner/operator is freedom. Having initial cash availability and good pay load connections should be a top priority. The start-up costs are horrendous, such as: equipment purchasing, licensing fees, road taxes ,insurances, etc. Then there is the responsibility of keeping yearly records, tax information, and setting up loads with shippers. It's a business, plain and simple!

The beauty of being an owner/operator is the option of choosing what, when, or where. A lot of the loads still pay the same as they did a while back, so it's tricky to find good paying loads so the driver can make somewhat of a profit. Remember, the costs come out of the profit margin for maintenance, break downs, tolls, and high priced diesel fuel ($3.45 a gallon on average) etc. If a driver chooses not to take a "cheap freight" load, there are always the bigger trucking outfits that will. The big companies have trailers and drivers spotted thrughout the nation and will haul it in a heart beat. They work on yearly volume and can afford to look at the big picture. This practice causes the load pay to stay at an outdated, under priced rate. If big companies can make a few cents on the dollar when all said and done, that adds up to a big profit at year's end. This is not a good thing for an owner/operator.

Another available option for an owner/operator is leasing on with a particular trucking company. The driver owns the tractor, but he or she will actually be hauling for that company on a contractual basis. The company will provide the loads and back loads, and sometimes a trailer for the owner/operator. Leasing on with a company can be beneficial to a driver. Companies will absorb some of the costs that are otherwise paid by the owner. There is still the freedom factor of choosing where, when, or if the driver wants to go. The drivers are paid a higher owner/operator rate, or sometimes paid on a percentage agreement.

Even when times were good, owning my own tractor never appealed to me. I didn't want no part of it. I give the owner/operators a lot of credit! Some make it happen with all of the extra baggage that comes along with being you own boss. If everything I mentioned isn't risky enough, add in the idiot factor of drivers into the equation. One bad move could create a law suit, and bring a small trucking business to its knees. I hear a lot of stories from used-to-be owner/operators that are now company drivers. If your like me and luck isn't a word in your everyday vocabulary, put your pride to the side and go work for The Man.

The Man will provide a late model tractor and the diesel fuel to run it. A good company has great benefits and retirement packages for you and your family. Some companies offer sign on bonuses, fuel bonuses, and safety bonuses. It's just a lot less stressful as a driver not having to worry about all of the extra costs and time of being an owner/operator. When a driver gets back home after completing a trip, he or she can relax and spend time with family. Owner/operators have to maintain their trucks, do paperwork, and worry about getting another load ready to go. They are always on the go. Working as a company driver, the trip costs are paid by them, and all you have to do is your job. The only costs to a driver is the normal everyday expenses like food, entertainment or other personal purchases. Maybe a log book fine or speeding ticket here or there.....

If my opinion matters, working for The Man is the best choice in the trucking industry, but hey, who am I to say?