Per your company, what is the average distance you drive with an empty trailer and how often a week does this occur? I'm headed to PTL for orientation this coming Monday (Jan. 27th, 2014) and am looking forward to this new career. Of course, I have already read a lot of bad things about PTL and some good things, but nevertheless, I'm still excited. I'm a convicted felon with 11 years behind me now and I can't complain. I can never get the Haz-Mat nor a TWIC card, but I'm afforded an opportunity now to just drive and make a little money while getting the experience. As I read here, most companies today still pay for your mileage while you're empty, but I'm still curious as to what's the average here when this happens. All feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks & Cheers!
Drivers ... A simple question here ...
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by hobotrucker, Jan 21, 2014.
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Well.........As a 1 truck operation myself,
I take pride in Efficiency......My weekly agenda consists of Out and Back..
im very efficient on Dead miles......I try to keep to UNDER 50 miles dead for a return load.....However, if a load is taking me directly back to my front door..I may consider a bit more.
Plus..Rates play a big role also..
I hear some guys that work for those large carriers deadheading Hundreds of miles to get a load.......... -
The main dry van megas try to keep it under 10%. Specialized carriers may be as high as 50%
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Just wondering if it has already been 11 years why can't you get the hazmat and or twic ?
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Actually, if you are a company driver and are working for an outfit that pays the same, empty or loaded, it really shouldn't make any difference to you. Particularly just starting out. You have time ahead of you to learn the ropes in case you are wanting to eventually go O/O. I'm not familiar with Pascal, so I don't know how they do it. But if they encouraging you to become a "lease" operator, run away from it.
passingthru69, Tonythetruckerdude and Moosetek13 Thank this. -
Running empty should not be an issue in terms of affecting gross pay, in fact, running empty long distances means they're working hard to keep you moving. The biggest concern at many large fleets is chasing after phantom empty trailers all over God's creation and wasting 2-4 hours for peanuts, then, when you find one, it has a flat or is missing a mud flap or has rejected merchandise to deal with.
GoneButNotForgotten, Big Don and double yellow Thank this. -
http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/frequently-asked-questions-0 -
900,000-tons-of-steel Thanks this.
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First as a Fellow Felon, welcome to the world of trucking. I have Haz-Mat and TWIC, so not all felons can't get them. I would double check that if I were you.
If you are a company driver you should be paid the same for loaded or unloaded miles. I do not remember a company ever sending me more than 25 miles or such with out a load. And that was in New England area.
The one thing I want to point out to you is that just because you did something in your past that does not mean the company is doing you a favor by offering you a job. You will earn your money just like everyone else does. Conviction of a crime does not make you less of a man, it just means you were in a situation and reacted to that situation in a manner that most of us hope we never find ourselves. When we say, "Welcome to Trucking", we mean that. You are Welcome here.
Just don't cut me off in traffic you sob.Arkansas Frost, Big Don, Space Man Spiff and 1 other person Thank this. -
Most pay the same loaded and empty, in the cement world I ran 50% empty, int the refrigerated world it was only about 5% or less. It just all depends.
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