trains for vacation transportation

Becoming an owner operator is a popular alternative to driving a truck for a larger company, mostly because of the freedom and benefits that come along with being an owner operator. An owner operator differs from a standard semi-truck driver in that he or she owns his or her truck and is running his or her own business rather than being someone's employee. Listed below are three reasons to consider becoming an owner operator.

Increased Safety

An issue that can often come up when working as a truck driver is that you may sometimes feel pressured to drive faster or for longer periods of time in order to meet your employer's schedule. The problem with this is that it can often result in you becoming a risk to yourself and other drivers on the road.

As an owner operator, you can choose to only take on contracts that you can meet the deadlines on safely without having to rush or drive longer. In addition, driving at safer speeds and for fewer consecutive hours can save you money by reducing the wear and tear on your truck. 

Load Freedom

Another reason to consider working as an owner operator is that you can pick and choose which loads you want to take. When you work for a trucking company, you will have to take whatever loads they give you. If you work for yourself, you can choose to avoid dangerous or high-risk loads, or confine yourself to loads that do not require you to venture too far away from your home and family.

Schedule Flexibility

Finally, you will want to consider becoming an owner operator if you want to have a flexible schedule and make your own hours. One of the hardest parts about working for a trucking company is that it can be very difficult to take time off from work, mostly because most trucking companies are trying to move as much freight as possible at all times. This means that the trucking company will often make it difficult to qualify for time off or require a lot of advance warning. 

However, as an owner operator, you will not need to ask anyone for time off. If you have a family emergency, want to take a break, or simply want to take a family vacation, you can simply do so whenever you like.

While there are many benefits to being a truck driver for an established company, being an owner operator does have its own share of benefits. An owner operator can drive more safely, pick and choose what loads and routes to take, and set a flexible schedule.

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