My First few loads

So I have completed a week on the road as a Hot Shot driver. It is very different than my OTR in a Class 8 in many ways but just the same in many also. I guess the biggest differences are the comfort of driving my Pickup truck instead of lugging 18K pounds of tractor around. The other is staying in Hotels each night and finding places that have parking.

Anyways I thought I would share pictures of my first three loads.

First is a couple water tanks for construction trucks. Took them from Jacksonville TX to Ontario Ca over the holiday weekend. I was able to spend 2 nights at home along the way.
The second is what I brought back from Ca (Long Beach to Phx). It is an empty 40 foot container. Was able to spend another 2 nights at home.
The last is two bundles of plastic pipe weighing 3,800 pounds going from Phx to Utah. I really don't like round stuff so this had me on edge the whole time.

 

I went the easy route to get started and "leased" my truck onto a company here in Phx. The rate is different each load and I get a percentage. The cover the liability and cargo ins.

 

Sorry. The rate is different for each load I am told how much the pay is when I am given the load. I can either accept it or refuse it. The range so far has been $800 to $3500. I get 75% of the gross. My load home yesterday paid me $450 to deliver a load 217 miles away. I do not book the loads or bill the loads. I turn in paper work and get a settlement check each week. The only Ins I cover is my truck and trailer comp. My truck and trailer are paid off so my minimum expense is $.42 a mile. Is that what you are looking for or are you asking me for specific pay on each load??

 

The lack of stress makes it so much better than when I was owning a big OTR truck. I work when I feel like it and relax when I'm home not worrying about truck payments or huge maint bills. The 75% is fine as I don't have to cover the big Insurance cost or find my own loads.