Thanks chemsoldier. I'm planning on coming to USA in the next month. Are the benefits good also. I guess the miles get better with the experience.
I signed up for health insurance this year. Its not bad. I have $25 per week drawn from check to cover their health program. They must have shopped it or gotten a government subsidy because it seemed like premiums were higher last year. 7 days paid vacation per year. I only used 4 of mine last year. Mileage depends on a LOT of factors. All the FMs are divided up into groups corresponding with regions of the US now. Each group is assigned to a terminal that covers that region. Doesn't mean you only work that region but somehow (I still don't understand how its intended) you belong exclusively to load planners that are also of that region, no matter where in the US you are. Its supposedly intended to streamline dispatch whereas before, when I started, you were open to being assigned loads from all LCs on the board and just showed as an available empty truck. This is supposed to personalize things more. It also puts more pressure on FMs to make sure drivers are being efficient and timely and that communication is current and flowing. The other part is (IMHO) as you stated, experience. Mileage tends to increase as you establish a reputation for whatever your ability and work habits are. Not every driver is capable or willing to move quickly through winter storm areas or knows tricks to help in Northeast or other areas. As you establish your abilities with your FM through experience, your workload has the propensity to increase relative to their opinion of you. Or so I'm told. Home time also factors into your mileage. The longer you stay out.....the higher your average. Many drivers can't seem to grasp that trying to go home every 2nd weekend does not equate to 3000 mile weeks. Its just too hard to plan you with a narrow window and keep you close enough that they can get you home on your requested off days.
Thats not a bad price for health insurance. I can see where you're coming from about the miles. All in all, it seems to me USA is a good company to work for.
Per their last earnings report, avg miles per tractor are currently 1800. If I'm out for 3 weeks I usually see a 1300-1400 week, a 2400 mile week. It's become so routine you'd think the miles are rationed.
