Originally Posted by knighton5

The other anternative is good luck trying to find a good paying OTR job then. Alot of newbies (I was one) expect top pay and coast to coast trips right from the start... I supose you can try a union outfit, but then your on the bottom of the grease pole trying to make a living for 1 or 2 years working on call or when somebody go's on vacation working the worst shifts. Good Luck

Originally Posted by bduke

Forget about the union aspect. There are a few of you that try to compare union drivers with the rest. Stop it. It's not going to work. I would like to know what company do you think is a good OTR job? See if you can find one that pays for all of your on duty time. And I mean all. From the time you come on duty until you go off duty. Isn't that only fair? You are working and should be paid. The 14 hour clock doesn't stop does it? Granted, off duty time doesn't count agianst your 60/70 but it does against your 14. Tell us what company pays you for all of your time? I am waiting. In fact, we are all waiting.

Maybe you can come up with one that not only pays well but also provides basic benefits like health, vision, dental and retirement at little cost.

We'll wait on that one as well.

Just because you don't work for a union company, doesn't mean you have to accept substandard pay and benefits. I am living proof.

Originally Posted by bduke

The way I read into this is that drivers should be paid by the hour. I agree. anything less is foolish on the part of the driver. No offense to others. Why don't you people want to be paid for your time. I have no arguments to any of your questions. I don't think there are any drivers out there who would challenge you. Lets give it a week just to make sure. Im not going to hold my breath.

Originally Posted by knighton5

You dont get it, OTR drivers are paid by the mile ever since 1920's or 30's, heck I dont really know... But you cant compare local or linehaul to OTR... Either you like driving over the road and getting paid per mile or you dont. You either accept that before getting into it, or you made a mistake. And to answer your question what is a good OTR company? CRETE is my favorite. But that doesnt mean they are a good company for everybody. They fit my needs. I wouldnt be happy driving local, but if I did like to drive local then maybe Swift would be my favorite because there everywhere here. DRIVE SAFE

Originally Posted by bigblue19

The way I see it is that if you have no real need to be home alot OTR is the way to go. Even with the money they (OTR company's) try to get out of paying you, you can make good money without much effort.

There you go. The money that OTR companies try to get out of paying you. I have never worked at a job in which the company witheld money from me for reasons that most OTR companies do. It amazes me why people still work for them. Yet you read it on here every day that they do. What a pathetic way to make a living. Fighting for every nickle and dime. I say if you fall under this catagory, you are at the wrong company.

Many local driving jobs keep you at home but in the poor house. In my area a class A driver makes between 12 and 18 bucks a hour. Unless you are making some OT thats not a wage you can raise a family on these days. Most local drivers I see in my area are either 50+ or in their 20's and single. I drove lots of OTR and went to many interviews before I found a semi -local outfit that had the hours, pay and bennys that made it worth staying home.

I'm glad you found a good company. Hourly pay, just like any other, needs to be enough to support your lifestyle. Where I live, I see ads for class A drivers that pay $15.00 per hour. That is not enough to provide for a family around here. Yet there are those who are willing to accept that pay. Until that changes, you will still see low paying jobs.

I never really dug the OTR lifestyle but it is piece work so your income can be quite good if you find the right situation and learn how to work the system.

Originally Posted by bduke

No, I think you don't get it! I have no problem with OTR drivers being paid by the mile. It makes sence to me. Other than say paying a trip rate I don't think there is really too much of a choice. I am not rying to compare all of the aspects for driving options. There are the few that you mentioned. Each driver will find what type of driving they like best.

Mileage pay appears to be good as long as the miles are there and you get a good rate. However, my problem with the system is that drivers need to be paid for all of their on duty time. I think we all no what I mean. Each day you have a pre/post trip. You probably need to get fuel as well. When you arrive to load or unload, it takes time. Breakdown, repairs and scales etc. It all adds up. Are drivers paid for that time or do they just "work for free"? Those are some of the items that bother me for my fellow drivers.

Since you say that you work for Crete and they fit your needs, do they pay you for all of your on duty time or do you need to work free at times?

I even asked you to provide a company that not only pays well but also provides the basic benefits like health, dental and vision at little or know cost. Please notice the three basic ones I mentioned. Also notice that I did not even bring up other perks like vacation, holiday, sick, jury duty and the big one, retirement. I hope you can tell the rest of us if Crete at least provides those three basic benefits and at what cost if any? I don't want to know your personal options, just what the company will provide to all.

Speaking of mileage. How are you paid? Is it hourly, salary or mileage? If it is mileage, is it HHG, pratical or actual mileage? Anything short of being paid actual miles is a scam by the company. I can't speak for others but I would expect to be paid for "ALL" of my miles driven. If I drove 500 miles, I want to be paid for 500 miles. Not 450! If it is hourly, how much per hour? If it is salary, What is your monthly salary?

If Crete is such a good company that you claim them to be, I don't think you will have a problem answering my questions.

Originally Posted by knighton5

Too many questions, please one or two at a time, im a dumb OTR driver! LOL But really, going into driving 48 states or regional and paid by the mile, you know what your getting into... Detention is paid by the hour after 2 hours for most companies (that I know of) and thats just a bonus.

Why do you just consider that as a bonus? Why does a driver need to give 2 hours to the company? I don't think a company will do anything for free, why do you think it is OK for you to do the same?

What you call holidays is a wash, freight needs to be delivered to you 24/7/365 and again, you know this going into the OTR business.

Nevertheless, holidays do exist. They are paid holidays as well. Do you get extra pay for working those days? If not, do you get an extra paid day off to compensate for those days worked? I would think that management gets holiday pay, why not their drivers? I noticed you didn't mention sick pay or jury duty pay. Does Crete not provide them to you?

Ive been paid shortest and hub, big difference!!! Take the HUB! You mentioned scam by companies- arent they all? You accept employment or you dont..??

NO. Not all companies are a scam. Yes they are here to make money but so are you! Good companies pay their drivers correctly. They may not like it though. I don't know of any company who likes to pay drivers. They all want us to work for free. Some drivers accept that. My company is no different. If they could get away with paying drivers less, they would. The flip side to that is that they wouldn't have any drivers. I agree that hub miles are the only way to truly pay drivers. Anything less and you are working for free for a time every day. That doesn't sit well with me. Maybe some like it. Not me.

Some people could care less what the owner profits, it could be a good thing, your job will be more secure. If a union steps in, then, JOB GONE!

Why do you continue to say if a union comes in, the job will be lost? I have many friends that work at a union company. Those companies have been around for years. Granted, some do fold but not all. Look at all of the non union companies that are gone. Union drivers just receive, for the most part, better pay and benefits. Don't fault them for that. Anyone of us would choose better pay and benefits. You would be lying to us and yourself to choose otherwise. I would also like the owner of my to make as much money as they can. It can only help the drivers in the long run. Stable company, more pay and better benefits. Sounds good to me.

You mentioned fuel,scales etc.... its all part of the job. again, you know this going into OTR driving...!! Its not a local, paid by the hour deal.

There are many things that a company will require a driver to do for free. My question is why? Why do they get paid and the driver has to give up time? Just because the drivers are not paid by the hour doesn't mean they shouldn't be paid for all of their on duty time. Yet so many continue to find this acceptable? I don't get it.

One thing I agree with you on is - we should all be paid by the hour for everything, with that said, can you imagine the reality of that scenario? It wouldnt work, your loaf of bread would cost 6 bucks. Companies are being squeezed by competition and the profit isnt what you think it is and thats why your seeing bankruptcys and jobs leaving.

That is not what I said. You need to re-read what I posted.

As far as health care,dental,vision,401K, I get all of that with Crete. I can afford it, or I wouldnt be paying for it. The more your employer pays for you, the better you are, but it can only last so long before they cant afford to pay it any longer, then your out of insurance or out of a job. Which is worse? DRIVE SAFE

Originally Posted by bduke

Originally Posted by joecool313

I would like to personally thank you guys for posting your opinions on this topic, I'm a recent grad/student and will do a helluva alot more research before committing just do to this thread...Thanks Again....its not all in vain, really its not!! Some people may not get it but rest assured, there are a ton that do..

Thanks 074344 & bduke and other experienced guys who actually care about other drivers!