As proof that most owner operators have no idea what’s really going on - I was listening to one of my evil conservative talk shows and the subject was fuel prices and a trucker calls in. Says, he was an owner operator and had to sell his truck because of fuel prices. But, he’s now a company driver. What he doesn’t realize, is that he’s still driving a truck. The same number of trucks are still buying fuel, he’s just not buying it. He couldn’t afford the fuel but whoever he’s driving for can. The host was a little confused expecting to find a truck driver that couldn’t afford the fuel.

I personally know of two owner operators that wanted to park their trucks and drive for someone else and another one that has. Their trucks are paid for and they can’t afford the fuel prices? But think they can do better driving for someone else. If your truck is paid for, that’s a big expense you don’t have to pay for. Your operating expenses are lower than owners that have truck AND trailer payments. Maintenance on older trucks is an issue, but the maintenance cost I heard from them were still lower than my payments and especially lower than my payments plus repairs.

We are struggling through this, but if my truck was paid for, it would be a lot less stress. From owner operators that have no idea what they’re doing, it’s no wonder companies can take advantage of people wanting to own a truck, from actually ripping them off through leasing programs to nickel and dimeing owners to death. Once you’re an owner operator everyone wants your money. From the panhandler that wants to shine your chrome to people in truck stops hollering like Carnival Barkers wanting to sell you the latest, greatest program to save you money, as long as you spend your money with them. It’s an insane business. Anyone want to buy a truck, cheap?