Like a grain of sand upon the beach…

…so too must I also go with the tide.

After doing some long and hard thinking about the nature of the trucking industry, I’ve made some difficult decisions concerning my roll in that industry. Since 2004, I have had the privilege of owning and operating my own truck for the express purpose of hauling freight and being home at my leisure. Unfortunately, with the consistent rise in fuel prices, my leisure has dwindled away to nothing.

When fuel was…

$1.50 a gallon, I would spend a week at home without second thought.

$2.00, that week ended with me fretting just a little bit and I was home about once a month.

$3.00, that week went away in favor of a few days every 4 weeks.

And now $4.00+, I’m home for 3 days every 6-8 weeks.

It’s only going to get worse.

I am averaging 2,500 miles a week at an average rate of $1.30 a mile. That computes to $3,250 in gross revenue.

At the current national average for fuel, $4.49 a gallon, it costs me 69 cents a miles to fuel my truck. That’s $1,725 in fuel for those miles leaving me with $1,525 dollars.

My truck note on a weekly basis and other deduction for the industry – insurance, base plate, occupational accident insurance and so forth, comes to almost $900. Leaving me with $625 left of which I have to pay taxes on that money of, at least, 25%.

So, to that end, I’m giving up owning and operating my own truck and moving to company driving for the time being.

The same 2,500 miles at the rate of 39 cents per mile is $975. Minus 33% for taxes and other small deductions, leaves me with approximately $650 net revenue.

It’s time to let someone else pay for the fuel again.

It’ll happen just after the 4th of July weekend. I absolutely have to come up with some money to get the bills caught up and sock some away for while I’m not getting paid…like during orientation and the first week of running.

I hate it.

I will miss not being able do what I want with my truck.

I will miss my cat because companies generally don’t allow pets on their trucks.

I will miss the company I currently work for.

I like other things about it though.

I will not miss working my ass off for nothing.

I will not miss staying out for 2 months at a time to ensure that enough money is made for me to take off for three days.

I will not miss the company I currently work for.

I know, there’s a contradiction up there. It’s the truth though.

Till Next Time,
Blessings!

Kyle
Riverwolf
The Trucking Geek