Question about Pay and Regional...

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 31third, Feb 5, 2013.

  1. 31third

    31third Bobtail Member

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    Feb 4, 2013
    Mount Clemens, MI
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    I've read through a lot of threads here in this section and I've seen a lot of guys from years past complain that certain companies whether they be starter companies or otherwise screw up your paycheck.....is anyone still having that issue as far as regional or over the road companies go? I ask because that is something that I just do not want to run into if possible and was trying to avoid said companies that may be 'screwing' people out of the correct pay or paying or etc........

    Second question. To all the newer regional drivers. What is an estimate as far as pay goes for someone like me just starting out. I've called Maverick, J.B Hunt, Prime, and a few others and I just want to know a more factual number as far as pay goes after the orientation period is up for regional drivers who are home every 5-12 days????........thx again
     
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  3. WV_Daddys_Girl

    WV_Daddys_Girl <b>Crusty Ole' Wifey</b>

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    There will always be bad companies that screw everybody over regardless. Then there are those companies that have a good track record that may have a handful of disgruntle former employees that say they're an awful company. And finally, you have a few companies where everything is good and employees are happy. The point I'm trying to make is that one should always research a potential employer and form their own opinion based on their findings. If it sounds too good to be true - it is. I see you listed yourself as a "student". You are probably more than aware that someone fresh out of trucking school with a still-warm CDL in their hand will not be making 6 figures right out the gate, so if a company is saying you will, run! It's not gonna happen. You must be realistic.

    To answer your 2nd question - it all depends on your experience, driving record, location, choice of driving position and what you might haul. You might fair anywhere from $600-800 a week gross - maybe more, maybe less - again, it depends on the aforementioned.
     
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  4. 31third

    31third Bobtail Member

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    Feb 4, 2013
    Mount Clemens, MI
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    That helped a little i appreciate it. not expecting to make a fortunate and I dont mind losing a little money in the first 6 months to a year but after that hopefully i can make something to where its comfortable for my families situation. I just received my CDL A like a week ago but regional is just something I'm looking into. I understand it comes down to preference and different situations do occur im sure but just overall average is all i was looking for. thx anyways though.
     
  5. WV_Daddys_Girl

    WV_Daddys_Girl <b>Crusty Ole' Wifey</b>

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    You're welcome. Hang in there!
     
  6. pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 30, 2012
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    vw said it well, although you would be hard pressed to find a company where there are no disgruntled former AND current employees, assuming you go anywhere that has more than 20 drivers. and i would not stay long with any otr company that was paying me LESS than 800 per week gross. im assuming even new employees are starting at over 30cpm average..even only 2650 miles per week at 31 cpm is over 820 per week. you should EXPECT to be making at least 2650 miles per week, anyone giving you less is insulting you imo. of course there will be weeks that are less. we are talking AVERAGE.

    now as a regional driver, you should be getting a little more per mile generally, but will run less miles. i would expect to run 2200-2500 miles per week in regional, with an occasional bad week here and there with less. generally, with the same type of trailer, regional works out to less money than if you ran otr with same company. but many companies are hauling regional freight and calling it otr. there is a new post by a driver that just left knight, who says he averaged around 2600 paid miles per week. thats bad. not horrible, but bad.and it had mostly to do with the "average length of haul". an important question to ask any prospective employer.

    any company that i asked (for otr employment) "whats your average loh" and they answered anything less than 600-650, id say thank you anyway and hang up. you can drive 600-700 miles per day, assuming you get a load thats at least that long. if most loads are less than that, itll be hard to make a decent paycheck consistently.
     
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  7. WV_Daddys_Girl

    WV_Daddys_Girl <b>Crusty Ole' Wifey</b>

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    Thanks, poker! I know my range was low-ball, but I'd rather err too low than high and get someone's hopes up for nothing. And I'm glad you clarified the OTR/Regional deal - yes, many companies say it's OTR, when it's actual just a regional route or dedicated. A lot of recruiters trying to get as many warm bodies as they can, huh?
     
  8. 31third

    31third Bobtail Member

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    Feb 4, 2013
    Mount Clemens, MI
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    ah i get it. i wanted some more questions to ask and it looks like i have a few extras now thx. just trying to understand and make sure I get into the right situation. Maverick and TMC both said home weekends which is more of the type of thing i'm looking for. i will keep looking but not for too long because i just received my CDL and i would like to get some quickly and start gaining some experience.
     
  9. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    You may run into the "seniority" issue when trying to find a dedicated or regional position. You may have to put in some time with a company first before having the option of dedicated or regional. A lot of recruiters use this as a ploy to get newbies on board, same goes for home time. Your best bet is to look into the smaller companies or the local companies around you that you for sure run the same routes on a daily/weekly basis.

    For instance being from Virginia you know the seafood industry is big and many companies will run seafood out of VA and then grab a back haul to get back in town for the next load.

    Make sure you really give this career some thought. I saw you mentioned you have family and that is going to be very tough on them (and you) being a truck driver. You will most likely have to drive over the road until you have some experience and seniority and then can entail being gone for 6-8 weeks at a time.

    Good luck man...
     
  10. 31third

    31third Bobtail Member

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    Feb 4, 2013
    Mount Clemens, MI
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    Thx for the advice. If I end up having to OTR for a year or two than so be it if it helps with my ultimate goal (foodservice truck driving). The wifey is not a huge fan of the idea but we are all adjusting to the idea that me going OTR is a possibility. I'm going to give it a couple more weeks of looking anyway. And I'm from Michigan.

    P.S. I just had a tonsillectomy last Friday so pain is the name of the game right now..lol. Wont be going anywhere for another week and a half.
     
  11. pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

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    another type of driving you might (or might not) want to consider is the food service delivery. we have a place in my town that takes newbies. pay averages over 60k per year, great benefits, and profit sharing. out 4 days per week (go out tonight for instance, be home the morning of the day after tomorrow. do that twice a week). you are delivering to fast food restaurants mostly.

    downside is... you unload the truck. very physical job, not for everyone (not for me). but the home time is better than even average regional, and the pay is FAR better than regional or otr, at least the company that i know of (willow run, new york) is.
     
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