Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/25194
HOW TO BECOME AN O/O MAX KVIDERA Declaration of Independence Running under your own authority isn’t a decision to be taken lightly carrier authority. One owner-operator with his own MC number will tell another how wonderful it is to have the authority and how much more money and freedom he will have. W George Matta, a business consultant with transporta- tion financial services firm ATBS, calls much of the talk “hearsay” that often has important details missing. “They hear that’s what they should do to cut out the middle man” and be completely on their own, he says. What Matta and others say is that running on your own isn’t for every- body. The reality of doing it differs from the relative ease of planning for it. It requires careful preparation, hard work, marketing know-how, adequate capital and trucking experience. “There are two kinds of drivers — those who need to be told where to go and those who are very self-sufficient and can book their own loads two or three at a time,” Matta says. “The ones who’ve done their homework and hen truckers get together, often the conversation turns to going independent and getting a motor Kevin Rutherford says the chances of success are narrow. The Sirius XM Radio trucking show host and small fleet owner contends that for every 50 truckers he works with, only one is ready to operate under his own authority. In your decision-making on whether to branch out on your own consider the following: PROS open the door to more money, but it’s not guaran- teed. You’ll have to work hard for it. You’ll have to build relationships with shippers and find your own loads. “THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF DRIVERS — THOSE WHO NEED TO BE TOLD WHERE TO GO AND THOSE WHO ARE VERY SELF-SUFFICIENT AND CAN BOOK THEIR OWN LOADS TWO OR THREE AT A TIME.” — GEORGE MATTA driven for a carrier who requires them to book their own loads, those drivers seem to be able to ease into that better than those who go into it cold turkey.” 30 TRUCKERS NEWS MARCH 2011 more freedom to call your own shots and work where and when you want. That flexibility can be rewarding, but you can’t take too much time off or you won’t generate the revenue you need. cut out the middleman, leav- ing more of the revenue for yourself. Direct relationships with a shipper or receiver will pay off — if you can find them. CONS insurance costs increase. As an owner-operator leased to a carrier you’re responsible for physical damage and bobtail insurance, while the carrier covers liability and cargo insurance. As a carrier under your own authority, you’re on the hook for all of the coverages. continued on page 75