how many of driver are payed for deadhead miles?

This industry is a Indentured Servitude one,Imo you should get paid for everything you do including if you are owner op make A Profitable Rate .I hate when I hear O/O say I don't idle I live like a Dog while the Broker and shipper live like normal people. Trucking is a never ending supply of money for everyone but the Driver. We are to Distracted by Techonology to realize that we being taught to obey rules even if it Jeporadize lives. If it don't pay don't Stay. Pay up or leave this Drone industry..

 

For an industry that doesn't pay the truck anything, there sure a lot of new[er] $250k tractor/trailer rigs running around being driven by both o-op's and company drivers.

I'm not saying truck drivers are paid well. I'm saying there seems to be good money in trucking if you know what you're doing and avoid the crap freight. How much gets transferred to the driver is another discussion. But trucking and it's various components is like any other commodity, it's about supply and demand that determines what the market will bare (what drivers will accept and what companies will offer) right now, the worker market is over-supplied with "workers" who can sort of drive a truck and get freight moved.

 

250,000 BTW(Lease Purchase)in most cases to get earn slightly more than a company driver and have no benefits. Pay for a truck you will never own or build equity in its not even the companies. You must be a Truck Droner. I own two Truck with titles a 379&780 don't really see or care about Business input from your point of view. This industry needs to start looking at the Human and not MPG.

 

It's just a way to sell more trucks . Benefits the truck builders

 

I hear what you are saying. I'd like to focus on your statement, "I hate when I hear O/O say I don't idle I live like a Dog while the Broker and shipper live like normal people."

Define "normal".

I don't ask this question to troll, but to edify. Your statement recurs on this forum from a number of members.

IMHO the statement is a non sequitur. Being a truck driver is not a "normal" existence and anyone that enters this career expecting anything close to their totally air conditioned existence at home, within seconds, minutes, or hours of friends and family, or can spontaneously make a date for meet and greets is delusional. It isn't going to happen, especially if you are OTR.

My advice for those that suffer from this delusion, and I saw more than a few when I was training, is to get over it. What is that famous adage from the Marines?

Adapt, Overcome, Improvise.

Most folks getting into OTR especially have no experience living in confined quarters or camping. Those with that kind of experience do better, which is why ex-military seem to adapt to life on the road better than most.

As for those that choose not to idle, not all O/O's are hauling high tariff freight. They may be on a low fixed rate per mile, may have truck payments or lease payments to make. Maybe they sleep better without idling (I do), or maybe they choose to save a few thousand dollars a year for their bottom line.

It's no skin off your nose if they choose not to idle. If THEY are unhappy with their situation and feel they aren't having a "normal" existence, then that's on them. Either take the Marines mantra to heart or change your situation.

 

Your post makes little sense other then I guess you think I'm an idiot. I'm not even talking about lease operators. That is yet another industry within an industry with it's own set of scams at multiple levels, perpetrated by multiple players (on those stupid enough to "be fleeced" under bad lease contracts)

You act like all the many hundreds of thousands of truck driver today were all put into those seats at gunpoint and made to remain slaves to the job, against their will ... Yet another out seeking pity from those who don't give a crap that you can't make it work for you .

 

I totally agree that Fleece Purchase programs are nothing short of "buying a job". If you can't pay another driver a real good wage to drive "your" truck and STILL make a profit then you don't have a real business, you bought a job.

 

I see some owners or whatever have to go to extremes to break even. I see a over abundance of regulation lobbied by the Megas forced on me. The point is Trucking is not known for giving a RATS ARSE about anyone. Speed limiters,HOS,ELD which time and time again proved to be ineffective.This Industry has drivers making excuses for the poor treatment and Rates. What happens if minimum wage workers surpass Drivers on pay at 15 hr. Hmmm

 

More miles or what no home time that's why they are trying to recruit 18 yo to drive. They will catch them before they can understand and reason. Drone them out and they are commited for at least a year. 500-600 Bucks a week for 3weeks out.