Running with JCT, Part Deux

I want to clarify something. I don't work for JCT, period. I have a contract that stipulates that if I pull their loads, I abide by their rules.

Can I pull loads outside the company? Absolutely! I can even use JCT's trailer if I want.....or pull someone else's.

I don't look down at company drivers one bit. I used to be one years ago. But the mentality is completely different when you have to pay for other things. Company drivers get paid for the miles they run, plus any bonuses that company may offer. That's it. There is no financial obligation to anything else.....fuel, maintenance, repairs, vacations, etc. Its not their problem.

Whether a lease operator or independent operator, you have to factor in so much more. It's about net profit per mile. If you're an independent, then you know this. There are way too many drivers out there (mainly lease operators) that think that more miles means more money. That simply is not true. Trying to get someone to understand that isn't always easy.

I never pretend to be something I'm not. I am a straight ### hole. I am also an extremely successful business owner that choses to pull JCT loads exclusively, although I can pull anybody's freight that I chose. I chose not to.

 

Believe me, I don't run 55 MPH because I want to. That just happens to be where the most efficient fuel economy is for the way my truck and any other 2012 or 2014 Cascadia that JCT has. Our new VP of maintenance changed that when he got here. The trucks are spec'd to run faster at low RPMs. If only I had waited 6 months, perhaps I could be driving 70 MPH and making the same money I am now. That's just not the case, so I do what I have to do to pay for my month long vacations.

 

That's just it. You're in a 2015 which is set up different than the 2014 and you can do those speeds and get great fuel economy. I'm jealous.

 

Steele Tiger, for the life of me I don't understand how you think driving slower and cutting your productivity is a good idea when you are in a mile based position, I just showed you my numbers, and the fact that .29 per mile comes off every load no matter how long you hold onto it, now the only way I would have a problem is if I drove your miles and got my fuel economy, if I'm bringing in a AVERAGE of 1200 a week doing it my way and your 2500 brings you 989 why do I need a mentor? You have lower cost per mile and lower miles?
And to qualify for the safety bonus you have to have a minimum of 10k a month but it's paid based on your total miles driven.
I am very aware of who you are, I have been watching this thread for a while, I know about the vacation and all that, but I can assure you if you held 100 loads back and turned them in at once the payment for those loads wouldn't change it just looks smaller because its broken down over many weeks.
And remember I'm complaining because I'm making 800 a week when I'm use to bringing in 12-1400 a week, the drop was unexpected because this is my first March and I'm use to a drop in January and February, I never said I was struggling, just not happy with my miles. See a business is established to make as MUCH money as possible and that equals profits, but if you limit your earning potential you also limit your profits, I honestly don't need a mentor especially if the advice they have is slow down and limit your miles to save a hundred bucks on fuel, THAT will never happen, I'm all about being as PRODUCTIVE as possible because I am compensated based on PRODUCTION.
So that being said, you all go ahead and do it your way, and I'll do it my way, because I already proved my business method makes me more money at the end of the day, and my company was established to make money!! AND Protect my assets 😉 I just don't understand how you think you will make more at 2500 miles than me at 3100+ miles, that's funny and sad because you really believe that.
Yes Steel Tiger I know exactly who you are, and I knew exactly what you would say when I first wrote my statement, and I'm glad everyone can see what a croc that method is, it's a lower productivity, lower mile, lower safety bonus, and in the end LOWER settlement, but you say I have the delusions.
To each their own, and good luck to you as well. 🚛💨💨💨

 

I guess I jumped the gun then and thought you were a JCT driver.

All that about making more money while driving less miles is true, but less so for a lease operator getting paid by the mile.

As a true business owner you get paid by the load, negotiated with the customer for both price and timeline. That being the case, you know there are times when you have to hammer down and times you can squeeze a little extra out of the MPG.

 

Well I guess technically I don't work for JCT either my, company (that I created) contracts with JCT and I work for my company, but I assure you my truck and his truck looks like every other JCT Truck in the fleet, but hey what ever makes them sleep good at night. smh

 

I don't disagree with you about that. Because each load pays differently and can vary greatly on a per mile basis, you have that wiggle room. When we are paid on a flat rate regardless of the freight or the distance, the goal is to squeeze profit that you can on a set rate....for every load.

 

And Sir YOU are right 100%, but you can't explain this to some of these guys, as a lease operator the ONLY expense you can control is fuel and that's where they try to save money, but the cost is lower productivity (miles) but whatever lets them sleep at night, but me it's maximum miles, because there's more profit with more miles.

 

That is where you are missing the point. It is not strictly a mile based position. Its a profit per mile position because you have expenses that come out. For instance, and this is an example.... running 3100 miles at a net profit of $0.40/mile will earn you $1240. 2500 miles at a net profit of $0.55/mile will earn you $1375. Less is more. You just refuse to accept that it is doable.

Just so you understand, the bonus is not based on hitting 10k miles per month. Its based on 30k per quarter. So if a driver gets their 30k in 2 months and doesn't drive a mile the 3rd month, they get the bonus.N

ever claimed to get 8 MPG. If I only did that I wouldn't be as profitable. I used 8 MPG as an example. But regardless of what I type here, I will NEVER convince you of the fact that more miles does not equal more money in my pocket. I could break down every aspect of how you're spending more money running more miles, but I see now that it is a waste.

Never said I only run 2500 miles/ week. Again, I simply used it as an example. You're expectations of running legally at 3100 miles every week for a total of 150,000 + miles per year is just unrealistic. There are times of the year and areas in the country that are short on freight at different times. Basically because your miles went down for one month you're griping. That's your right. But please be realistic when you gripe and complain. You obviously didn't understand a single point I was trying to make. Hell, it may be my fault for not explaining it properly. But one thing is a fact and no amount of arguing will change it: THE PHILOSOPHY OF RUNNING MORE MILES MEANS MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET IS NOT TRUE. PERIOD. My truck payment is less than yours because I'm paying on less miles. Why in the hell would I, or anyone run 3100 or more miles per week to make $1200 - $1400 net pay when I can do that by running less miles. Its kind of like buying a fancy TV for $1000 when the store across the street has the same exact model for $800. Why would you buy the more expensive one?

My fuel economy is better than yours which means I spend less on fuel per week. But if you can't understand what I'm saying to you with only those 2 points.... I'll never get you to understand what I'm trying to convey to you.

I'm not here to argue with anyone. One of the purposes of this forum is designed to help educate drivers on how they can improve their profitability. That is all. Take the advise, don't take the advise. At this point I really don't care.

 

Could you possible share a moment with us when you have done this???? Last time I seen your truck it said JCT on the side....

Steel Tiger:I want to clarify something. I don't work for JCT, period. I have a contract that stipulates that if I pull their loads, I abide by their rules.

Can I pull loads outside the company? Absolutely! I can even use JCT's trailer if I want.....or pull someone else's.