Folk's, it's really simple!

Forget about the union aspect. There are a few of you that try to compare union drivers with the rest. Stop it. It's not going to work. I would like to know what company do you think is a good OTR job? See if you can find one that pays for all of your on duty time. And I mean all. From the time you come on duty until you go off duty. Isn't that only fair? You are working and should be paid. The 14 hour clock doesn't stop does it? Granted, off duty time doesn't count agianst your 60/70 but it does against your 14. Tell us what company pays you for all of your time? I am waiting. In fact, we are all waiting.

Maybe you can come up with one that not only pays well but also provides basic benefits like health, vision, dental and retirement at little cost.

We'll wait on that one as well.

Just because you don't work for a union company, doesn't mean you have to accept substandard pay and benefits. I am living proof.

 

You dont get it, OTR drivers are paid by the mile ever since 1920's or 30's, heck I dont really know... But you cant compare local or linehaul to OTR... Either you like driving over the road and getting paid per mile or you dont. You either accept that before getting into it, or you made a mistake. And to answer your question what is a good OTR company? CRETE is my favorite. But that doesnt mean they are a good company for everybody. They fit my needs. I wouldnt be happy driving local, but if I did like to drive local then maybe Swift would be my favorite because there everywhere here. DRIVE SAFE

 

The way I see it is that if you have no real need to be home alot OTR is the way to go. Even with the money they (OTR company's) try to get out of paying you, you can make good money without much effort.

Many local driving jobs keep you at home but in the poor house. In my area a class A driver makes between 12 and 18 bucks a hour. Unless you are making some OT thats not a wage you can raise a family on these days. Most local drivers I see in my area are either 50+ or in their 20's and single. I drove lots of OTR and went to many interviews before I found a semi -local outfit that had the hours, pay and bennys that made it worth staying home.

I never really dug the OTR lifestyle but it is piece work so your income can be quite good if you find the right situation and learn how to work the system.

 

I agree - drivers should be paid by the hour. I did the OTR for a long time and did lots of free work for the company. For the hours I put in, I should have been making 75k per year, not the 35k I was making. Do the math, drivers. Take all the hours you work in a year - do the math in regular hours and overtime hours - and then come up with a figure of what all the time you spend is worth in "paid-by-the-hour" driving. I'd bet it's half again - or MUCH more - than what you are making now in many, many cases. Not that it will ever happen, but I think OTR is a great excuse for many companies to take advantage of it's drivers.

 

No, I think you don't get it! I have no problem with OTR drivers being paid by the mile. It makes sence to me. Other than say paying a trip rate I don't think there is really too much of a choice. I am not rying to compare all of the aspects for driving options. There are the few that you mentioned. Each driver will find what type of driving they like best.

Mileage pay appears to be good as long as the miles are there and you get a good rate. However, my problem with the system is that drivers need to be paid for all of their on duty time. I think we all no what I mean. Each day you have a pre/post trip. You probably need to get fuel as well. When you arrive to load or unload, it takes time. Breakdown, repairs and scales etc. It all adds up. Are drivers paid for that time or do they just "work for free"? Those are some of the items that bother me for my fellow drivers.

Since you say that you work for Crete and they fit your needs, do they pay you for all of your on duty time or do you need to work free at times?

I even asked you to provide a company that not only pays well but also provides the basic benefits like health, dental and vision at little or know cost. Please notice the three basic ones I mentioned. Also notice that I did not even bring up other perks like vacation, holiday, sick, jury duty and the big one, retirement. I hope you can tell the rest of us if Crete at least provides those three basic benefits and at what cost if any? I don't want to know your personal options, just what the company will provide to all.

Speaking of mileage. How are you paid? Is it hourly, salary or mileage? If it is mileage, is it HHG, pratical or actual mileage? Anything short of being paid actual miles is a scam by the company. I can't speak for others but I would expect to be paid for "ALL" of my miles driven. If I drove 500 miles, I want to be paid for 500 miles. Not 450! If it is hourly, how much per hour? If it is salary, What is your monthly salary?

If Crete is such a good company that you claim them to be, I don't think you will have a problem answering my questions.

 

If you say so.

 

Too many questions, please one or two at a time, im a dumb OTR driver! LOL But really, going into driving 48 states or regional and paid by the mile, you know what your getting into... Detention is paid by the hour after 2 hours for most companies (that I know of) and thats just a bonus. What you call holidays is a wash, freight needs to be delivered to you 24/7/365 and again, you know this going into the OTR business. Ive been paid shortest and hub, big difference!!! Take the HUB! You mentioned scam by companies- arent they all? You accept employment or you dont..?? Some people could care less what the owner profits, it could be a good thing, your job will be more secure. If a union steps in, then, JOB GONE! You mentioned fuel,scales etc.... its all part of the job. again, you know this going into OTR driving...!! Its not a local, paid by the hour deal. One thing I agree with you on is - we should all be paid by the hour for everything, with that said, can you imagine the reality of that scenario? It wouldnt work, your loaf of bread would cost 6 bucks. Companies are being squeezed by competition and the profit isnt what you think it is and thats why your seeing bankruptcys and jobs leaving. As far as health care,dental,vision,401K, I get all of that with Crete. I can afford it, or I wouldnt be paying for it. The more your employer pays for you, the better you are, but it can only last so long before they cant afford to pay it any longer, then your out of insurance or out of a job. Which is worse? DRIVE SAFE

 

Can you at least tell us the breakdown of what you pay? I mean either for each benefit or total per month. Healthcare costs have been going up every year. My company tries to find the best plan that takes care of us while keeping costs down. Since we are not union, the coverage applies to both drivers and management. I don't think they want to pay much as well. I look forward to your responce.

 

I think its about 68 bucks a week (family), med/den/vision.

 

Thank you for your responce. I guess it just gets a little disheartening to constantly read the posts on here. There are so many who want to find a career rather than just a job. There are good companies out there. Unfortunately, most fall for the scams of the "big" companies.

Those companies even have the class to tell you that they are a bad company. You can find them by looking into any truckstop magazine. Drivers still seem to go to them only to post one here about their bad experience. It starts to wear a little thin. Look people, it's there for you to read in black and white!

If drivers would take the time to read the forum that says "Motor Carrier Questions- The Inside Scoop", they would know what to look for. At the top of the page, there are trucking companies listed. If one takes the time to look, you will find that most of the companies listed there are bad companies. Not all of them but most. It bothers me that drivers keep picking companies out of there only to find out how bad they really are. Once they find out, they post on here. The sad fact is that we told you they were a bad company and you chose to work for them anyway. You can't sat we didn't tell you.

Sorry to rant but that is how I feel. I would love to hear from drivers that have been with any of those companies for more than 10 years. It would be interesting to hear how they survived. Good luck and finding your career. I am sure you will take the time and find the right company.