Trucking: o/o, senerio, flhsmv

Question
I am 50 years old. I know what it is like to work hard for a living. I was an Ironworker for 14 years. Then I became a pilot. Then went trucking in 1999 for 3 years. Now I am a pilot again but fed up with the industry. I have been out of trucking for 7 years. I've recently let my CDL go because the state of Michigan wanted me to get a background check at my expense to keep my hazmat cert. I've contacted a driving school and for $1900 they will give me a 2 week course and get my CDL back with a job. Same senerio I went thru originally. I am not looking forward to starting a job in that way again. It was 6 weeks on the road with a trainer (not fun) and then the pay was low. I would like to do it different this time. I have excellent credit and money in the bank. I am thinking about buying my own truck. I have no idea what a truck sells for or what typically is expected as a down payment. I think from what I've read that driving for a large company as an o/o would be the best route for me. Then maybe in the future become independent. I'm not afraid to work. Even when I first went driving for Swift I was always begging for more miles and all the work they could give me. I would like to know if you think it is reasonable to expect to get a job for a decent company if I haven't been in a truck in 7 years but have my own truck and willing to lease it out. I am also wondering what I could expect to net a month after expenses and feeding the maintenance fund. Sorry, I know I'm asking a lot of questions but I am very serious about this and I want no surprises.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Ed

Answer
Ed, 1st thing is get your current CDL.  I am not aware of any requirement to go to a driving school if you can pass the tests.  Check your state website for details.  Here is a link to the Florida site for example:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdl.html
While some of the schools have an inside track to certain carrier jobs they may not be the ones you are looking for and you can probably find them on your own.  Do a Google search on "truck driver jobs" and you will have plenty to look at.  Many carriers will say they require at least two years recent verifiable driving experience, however they usually have a way to make exceptions for a desirable driver.  The fact that you have 3 years within the past ten may get you an interview if you have a good safety record and are persistent.

If you decide to pursue the Owner operator route you will also need to show some experience as well as being able to manage your own business.  Check out this site:
http://www.ooida.com/
I would not recommend buying a truck until you have a contract set up with a carrier.  If you do decide to buy a truck check these sites for general price points:
http://www.ttnews.com/classifieds/equip2.asp?category=Equipment
http://www.truckpaper.com/default.asp?pdcl=1
I am no expert on to pros and cons of different models but I know that different configurations work better depending on the application.  For example if you find daily work and do not need a sleeper there is no need to drag around the extra weight and added fuel cost of a sleeper when a day cab will be more efficient.  On the other hand if you are going to on the road for extended trips the sleeper will be cheaper than hotels.

I really can estimate a realistic net because there are so many variables depending on the situation, but if you ask the questions, get the facts and all promises in writing you will have pretty good idea of what to expect.  You have some homework to do but that's part of any change you undertake.  Bests of luck.  jim