The oil and gas is slowing down and my paychecks have been getting smaller and smaller. Currently I've been off over a week when it used to be 2 and a half days and working 6 days at a time. And I've seen the straight trucks on the interstates that I drive on taking the frac crews home because they're going on their days off.
So you are thinking of driving a ST (straight truck) for a Fleet Owner? Your take home will be half of what you could be earning if you bought your own...BUT! it would be EXTREMELY wise on your part to drive someone else's vehicle FIRST, whether it's a ST or Van before you decide to purchase. You will have less control, less say not being an Owner Operator. I'm sure you have good common sense and know that. You will be States away, sometimes more than 1500 miles away from Home at times. If you have children, husband, boyfriend, grandchildren, doctors appt.'s, a lot of Debt.....things you must be present for frequently....this type of otr (over the road) driving may not be for you.
With a Class B, you could find a steady local delivery job or dump truck job earning probably $12-16 /hr. and be home every night.
In Expediting there are Weeks and Months where you are VERY lacking in $ and Weeks and Months where you are earning A LOT of $. So you would have to have a chunk of money to Pad those dry times. You would need to be a VERY Patient Person who doesn't mind sleeping in Parking Lots, Truck Stops and be great at Navigating and like Roughing it. In a Straight Truck as a Team, you would have more opportunity to drive long hauls as you would be under HOS Laws (Hours of Service). But keep in mind, you and that person had better get along and REALLY be considerate of each other....someone will be driving the Night Hours. There's a lot to consider in an otr profession.
DON'T BUY ANY VEHICLE UNTIL YOU'VE DRIVEN OTR a MINIMUM of 6 mos. to a YEAR in someone else's VEHICLE. Just my thoughts.