This is just my thought on the subject. If I was leasing a truck from Arnold and they decrease driver pay (which they are doing), I would seriously be looking at either giving back the truck or re-negotiating the lease contract. To me, an outstanding company that cares for their drivers and not just the bottom line that leases trucks would not hesitate at trying to make it right for their bread winners. But, having said that, not too many companies want to lose out on a chance to make an extra cent or 2 any way they can. Arnold supposedly does not do the Lease/Purchase deal anymore since US Xpress took 100% control earlier in the year. Those that were already in the program are being allowed to complete it and if they want to give the truck back, just too bad, they are stuck. There was also some kind of deal allowing the Lease/Purchaser to defer 2 (I think) payments/year (someone who is in the program tried to explain it to me but I don't think he really knew how it worked). That is also gone now. Miss a payment, lose your truck and Arnold/US Express will sell it again later (or trade it).

The belt tightening may not be over with either. We may soon have to pay for everything we need to run (tags, permits-which we already get a charge back on if we don't fuel so much in every state we go through, higher insurance rates). If it comes down to that, I would think it would be more perferable(sp?) to have ones on Authority and go out and get loads and skip the company all together. Enough O/O's do that to any company and it is bound to have some sort of impact on said company.

That says it all right there, what did you expect?

how exactly do they "make" a customer pay more? if the amount of freight has decreased (which it obviously has,) which is to say the demand for the work has decreased, so must the pay. you HAVE heard of supply and demand?


how are they taking something "away" from drivers? the demand for your services has gone down. if the demand for a product goes done, so must the price. why do you think it's any different for a service? but all the hired hands always assume that the "fat cat" at the top is "taking away" from you and "lining his pockets." as I've suggested to other people in other posts, PLEASE start your own company and pay your employees the generous wages to which they are entitled.