I was an owner-operator from 1996-2004. I owned 3 trucks, driving, doing the books, brokering, maintenance...everything. I started out with North American Van Lines moving people. It's HARD sweaty tiring work. I worked 14-16 hours a day 7 days a week....for 8 years. Keeping drivers in your trucks is easier said than done and many times I had a truck sitting idle loosing money. Over the 8 years I drove 1,000,000 miles. I lost money the first year, broke even the next and then started netting a decent income. My best year was 2003 when I netted $168,000. If you think Regional flying is hard you have NO idea about reality. Trucking is a cutthroat industry that chews up and spits you out. I entered the business as a way to save money for my ratings and save enough to live on while I was at the Regional's. I did this in my late 20's and early 30's...it was doable....I couldn't IMAGINE working that pace into my 50's and 60's. I can fly an airplane until 65 and still have 1/2 the month off, I'm never gone from home longer than 3 nights and then I'm in a nice hotel. When I was driving I was on the road 6 weeks at a time, sleeping in my truck. I figured it would take me 13 years to break even financially to make the transition to flying. I got VERY lucky...it took 12. I've never looked back.