Running with JCT, Part Deux

Hi, just wanted to run some numbers by you guys. I'm on a 700 mile run to California with two paid stops in SoCal. I figure with my lease and maintenance, I'm getting 0.63 cents per mile. So, I'm earning a total of 521.00 minus fuel. I'm getting 7 mpg, and it will take 100 gallons to do this run, not including idle time in this heat since I don't have an apu. Add in 50 dollars of def and 3 dollars per gallon for fuel after surcharge for a total profit of....drum roll....$171.00. They also have me sitting on it for 36 hours. Luckily I'm home and I'm waiting until tomorrow to take off just so I can minimize idle time. Idle time in this heat is not optional. 3 dollars per hour to idle and the way they have my appointments scheduled I need my full hours on Wednesday or I won't make both stops. This forces me to get into Cali in time to do a full ten. I know I shouldn't live trip to trip but trip plus trip is how you make your profit. It seems like this trip isn't very profitable. I know I read of another person on here that is getting 7 mpg. I really don't know how you make it with these numbers.

Is it really the luck of the draw on trucks that makes or breaks a JCT driver?

 

Aren't you figuring that fuel a little high? 3.00 per gallon after surcharge?

 

Maybe I just don't understand fuel surcharge. I thought it was 0.39 cents per gallon off the per gallon price. I thought I was figuring kind of low actually. That's why I'm running it by people who know better than I. I thought it worked like this: fuel per gallon 3.39 - 0.39 surcharge, for a 3.00 dollar per gallon result.

 

It definitely feels like you're hanging on the edge of your seat when you are responsible for your own fuel. Of course, I'm brand new and I'm just conjecturing. I haven't gotten one settlement yet. Admittedly, I'm a worrier by nature.

 

It's per mile not per gallon. .039 x 7mpg would make it a 2.73 per gallon discount.

 

You have to be kidding me. I had no idea. That changes my entire understanding of the situation. Thanks very much for clarifying that for me. That actually seems overly generous in reality.

 

All I had to do was go to the JCT calculator and divide the numbers and I would have figured that out. Feeling like a bonehead right now...also feeling very relieved.

 

You are correct with the estimate of $521, but that is after your fuel costs.

Mileage Pay for load=700*.90=$630
Fuel Surcharge Pay= 700*.40=$280
1 Extra Stop Pay= $40
Total paid for load= $950

Fuel surcharge is not a discount on the price of fuel. It is how much per mile the company is willing to pay you for fuel for that load. It is based on some complicated formula and the national average. Now, we do get an extra 5 cents off the cash price at the major truck stops. You will see that added to your settlements.

 

I see where that could be a benefit. I've been using the cheapest fuel at the smaller truck stops, but the 0.5 cent discount combined with the rewards points makes it worth while.

I've got three stops, two in the SoCal area and ending up in Tracy, CA for cons.

A TON OF WORRY has been taken off of my shoulders, that's for sure. This job is stressful enough without worrying that you're working for nothing.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Fuel surcharge is not a discount on fuel. Its how much money you get for fuel. For example, 1300 mile load with a fuel surcharge rate of .46 gets you an extra $598 on top of the mileage rate.