Mileage Pay vs. Percentage of Load Pay

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by QTeam, Feb 12, 2011.

  1. QTeam

    QTeam Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2011
    Baytown,TX
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    I am a new trucking school graduate and I found two trucking companies that will take me with no experience (Service Transport and Schneider). Is it better to take a position that pays mileage pay or a percentage per load? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
     
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  3. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Depends. For a newbie probably better with CPM. The other factor is the freight. When freight is top dollar and you know how to make time and cut thru the woods if need be % can pay good. Then you have to know the freight rate and know what the load pays. You have to factor in bouncing. I would take nothing less than 30 %. If you are bouncing 200 miles to get a load you are not getting anything for that 200 miles.
     
  4. KnuckleBuster

    KnuckleBuster Light Load Member

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    Wellsboro Pa, Lakeland Fl
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    I take mileage pay over percentage any day of the week. When I worked percentage, I never felt like I knew the true rate and was getting shorted.
     
  5. rambler

    rambler Road Train Member

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    Oftentimes % paying jobs don't take out taxes. If you work for one of those you better have the will power and smarts to sit down, figure your taxes, and SEND them every quarter. Its an excellent way to get in trouble with the IRS.
     
  6. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Deland, FL
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    As a newbie I would recommend pay per mile. Yes you can definitely make money going the percentage route but it will be a little slow going until you learn the biz. Plus as a new driver you aren't going to get the "good" loads. The experienced senior drivers are going to be the ones receiving those. You will get some from time to time but not frequently enough for the percentage pay to work out in your favor. Even experienced drivers that are starting out a new company won't get the best loads. Your option doors are wide open and I don't think those two companies are your only two choices. There are also a lot of different divisions of trucking, some pay more than others. For instance, reefer and flatbed are going to pay more then dry van. Tanker also is good pay. LTL companies and companies that have a lot of multi stop loads usually pay per mile and per stop so your opportunity to make good money as a newbie is better at those types of companies. Take your time, do your home work before jumping into orientation. Don't wait too long though. Good luck to you!
     
  7. QTeam

    QTeam Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2011
    Baytown,TX
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    Thanks chompi, no these two companies were not the only companies, Conway truckload, and CTL offered me employment but I want to work in the tank division. CTL starts off at 28.5 cpm, Schnieder 32 cpm, Conway 26 cpm and Service Transport is 23% of the load and they are hiring for OTR positions. I didn't want to do any dry van, and heard that CTL wasn't a good company to work for. So I was down to thoes two companies. But now after all that good advice, I have some more research and thinking to do. If you know of some more tanker companies to look at I would gladly appreciatie it and check them out. One again thanks for the advice.
     
  8. Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Lynchburg,Tn
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    Not having the experience to know what a load should pay I would strongly suggest mileage.

    Call me cynical but 23% seems low to me even for a newbie. Better be some high pay loads with minimal dead heading.
     
  9. cbigmuthatrucker

    cbigmuthatrucker Bobtail Member

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    Feb 12, 2011
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    ive been local for a long time now im going back out on the road again out for 5 days back on fridays or early sat mornins just got sick n tired of seeeing the same old crap everyday finger printing all day long lookin forward to gettin back out there
     
  10. cbigmuthatrucker

    cbigmuthatrucker Bobtail Member

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    Feb 12, 2011
    baltimore ,maryland
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    :yes2557: head out next monday the 21st gotta gear up all my stuff that i had just disapeared for some reason dam teenage kids of mine
     
  11. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Might look at superior carriers. I do not know where all their terminals are at tho.
     
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