4 Things To Consider Before Switching Owner Operator Trucking Companies

It appears like there's a never-ending look for the very best owner operator trucking company When you check out the posts, the story is usually the very same, so-and-so went over to this carrier and they claim they're simply doing so better or you know someone over here is doing this over at this carrier.

The question is, Is the grass really greener on the other side? In some cases when you go on Facebook or an online forum you see a long thread, specifically owner operators talking about changing carriers, and the same thing is applicable whether you're an owner operator or a company driver. Well there's a couple things that you need to consider before you jump ship and go to another carrier.

Expenses Related To Changing Carriers

With some exceptions, you are going to find truly bad and very good owner operator trucking companies out there, however, actually that's just the 10% on top and 10% at the bottom. The other 80% in the middle is going to have the very same issues whether you are with carrier A, B, or C. It does not matter since they're all doing the exact same job they're all going to have the similar situations.

If you’ve been an owner operator for a few years, you know it's an expense to go to another carrier. You're going to forego your owner operator pay for a couple of weeks due to the fact that when you quit one carrier you're going to have to go through orientation at the next one.

They might pay you a little bit in orientation however it's not going to be much. If you're actually sure that you want to change owner operator jobs, you need to have about a month's worth of expenditures in the bank prior to you even consider it since you're going to go at least 2 to 3 weeks without a check.

Moving Up The Ladder And Not Just Sideways

If you're simply moving laterally, a lot of times there is no factor to go to another carrier. You're going to have the exact same problems over there.

All trucking companies operate in the very same market for the exact same clients. Cancellations, sluggish freight seasons, low seasons, that's all part of the game. That's another thing to think about prior to switching owner operator trucking jobs.

Every Time You Switch Owner Operator Trucking Jobs You Have To Start All Over Again

Another thing to think about is you need to begin all over again. We're not just talking about perks, but also access to special programs like direct lanes, and building rapport with your dispatcher. A lot of carriers work the exact same method, there is constantly a learning curve on new owner operator jobs on how to submit a bill of lading, safety department requirements, talking to your dispatcher, in general learning how the new owner operator trucking company runs.

The typical driver they're going to make about 40k to 50k a year. Then the typical driver has actually been around for a while makes you understand 50k to 60k a year, and you get a few of the higher end companies where you can make 70k to 75k a year. To get there you have actually got to remain there a while and kind of pay your dues before you get to that.

If you stick with one owner operator trucking company for awhile you know you can resolve whatever issues and what have you and make a good living.

Owner Operator Trucking Company Track Record vs Owner Operator Reputation

It’s true that there's some companies out there that work on their procedures, but there’s also owner operators who develop a "boomerang" reputation. These drivers switch owner operator jobs every few months thinking they'll get much better loads at a different company when in reality is a low season for everybody. They go over a prolonged and costly procedure just to come back to their initial carrier.

You cannot simply keep bouncing. Eventually, you’ll recognize, OK I'm having the very same problems no matter where I go, perhaps the issue is me. Perhaps I have to adjust the things I'm doing.

At this moment you have to stop and think about if switching carriers is the best call if the move is going to allow you not just with your short-term objectives, but likewise on the long term, or if it's perhaps you who has to change what you are doing. The latter is the hardest thing to do, however, an excellent mindset and good interaction can go a long way. One way you'll identify the best owner operator companies is by the way they interact with their owner operators and their willingness to listen to them and work out a situation.

How Can You Find The Best Owner Operator Companies?

If after thinking about the last 2 points you are still thinking about changing carriers, then the procedure is relatively easy. But first there’s something you need to know, and that is that the best owner operator trucking jobs might vary for each driver.  This is why you need to search for the highest paying owner operator jobs instead of best owner operator companies because that will vary depending on the person.

Try to talk to other owner operators who are currently working for the company, however, do not rely exclusively on other individuals' opinions. Use your critical thinking and do your own research.  

Make sure you are prepared to make the move. No matter where you go the very first 2 or 3 weeks are going to be the hardest ones, so be financially prepared for it.  More than not the first weeks you’ll incur multiple expenses like having to pay for insurance, plates, maybe some truck maintenance depending on your rig, etc.  Typically, it takes around 90 days to really evaluate if an owner operator trucking company is a good fit.  Anything less than that is not enough time to have an informed opinion about a company.  Don’t go out thinking the company is not doing its job.

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