After leaving Sapp Brothers Truckstop in Percival, Iowa, I decided to take the back roads south and came up on Wyatt Hornik.
Here's a summary of the video:
*Initial Encounter and Truck Details* (1:28-3:10): Chris encounters Wyatt's truck and asks about its make and model. Wyatt mentions it's a '99 Peterbilt 379 with a 6NZ engine, carrying scrap metal.
*Driving Routes and Observations* (4:06-6:14): They discuss their current routes, with Chris heading south from Lincoln, Nebraska, towards Texas for a truck show, and Wyatt explaining his preference for back highways to avoid scales while hauling heavy loads. They both appreciate the scenery in Nebraska and Kansas, contrasting it with the poor road conditions in Oklahoma.
*Becoming an Owner-Operator* (7:12-7:20, 9:35-10:22): Wyatt shares his journey into trucking, explaining he left a warehouse job and cashed in his 401k to become an owner-operator. He established "Hornik Brothers Trucking" (15:46) and has been trucking for about four to five months.
*Advice for Aspiring Owner-Operators* (13:48-15:33): Wyatt advises potential owner-operators to:
Buy the right truck initially to avoid unexpected repair costs.
Navigate the authority process, which, while lengthy and involving multiple government website (FMCSA) filings and fees, is not as complicated as it seems, often with help from others.
*Mentorship and Trucking School* (10:44-11:47): Wyatt gives a shout-out to Krispy's Trucking for their support. He also praises Northeast Community College in Northport, Nebraska, highlighting the old-school values of their instructors (Ryan, Terrell Cook, and Ed Lewis) who prioritize teaching young drivers the right way over just making money, focusing on the future of trucking.
*Enjoying the Trucking Lifestyle* (12:14-13:30, 16:35-17:09): Wyatt mentions that he prefers listening to the sound of his truck over the radio, a sentiment Chris understands. He enjoys doing his own mechanic work on the truck and finds the experience less boring than expected, with time passing quickly. He also mentions seeing "wild stuff" on the road.
*Future Plans* (15:52-16:29): Wyatt hopes to get his twin brother into the trucking industry, currently working to secure local jobs for him since his brother wants to stay close to home after having a child.
*Parting Ways* (17:14-17:50): Chris and Wyatt conclude their drive, expressing mutual respect and good wishes.
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