Re: Newbie looking for advice


"B Fisher" <bfishersc@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:e5eo54$b5i$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am thinking about buying a straight truck w sleeper (32,000 gvw) and
getting into the business as an owner/operator. I got my Z endorsement in
Feb, and I'm upgrading my license to a 'D'; I have an experienced driver
with an 'A' license who can drive with me for a while as a trainer. I am
based in Ontario. I was speaking with someone at Kennedy Transportation
Network in Mississauga last year, and I've been digging around asking
questions, to verify the numbers they gave me, re: earnings/expenses;
Various sources seem to be pretty close with their $$ figures, and as far
as I can tell, it should be viable from a business standpoint.

The $$ figures I'm getting from the recruiters look good (almost too
good). I'm wondering what the reallity is, and in general, the pros and
cons of the business. I've talked to people who love it, and some who
hate it.

Does anyone have any experience with Kennedy Transportation Network Ltd,
or carriers like TST? Do you have any carriers (Ontario) that you would
recommend working for?

Pros and cons of the business? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


Good luck with the adventures.
Being without any experience in the trucking industry, you'll probably be in
the dog house for a few years.
Unless you have some connections that can make it all worth while for you
I'd strongly recommend not going into it as an owner operator even in a
straight truck.
As for training, a straight truck isn't much more than driving a large car.
I had no experience and drove them without any problems.
What you should do is first work for the company as a driver in their
equipment and find out if that's what you really want to do. Do that for 6
months and by then you should know more about how to handle not only the
equpment but the customers as well. Just having a truck isn't gonna make you
filthy rich.
I have 10 years of experience and even though I am still a company driver, I
could easily get my own truck. But not with today's fuel prices.

And be prepared for long dry spells with no income. If you're not, the bank
will take the truck back toot sweet.

Good luck.


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