Why do OTR megas pay so little for 70 hrs worked?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by a-trucker123, Sep 24, 2017.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    One place where I worked the most senior driver had been there 32 years. He thought he owned the company and was a tremendous headache for everyone. Finally, he was caught stealing meat and was fired. 125 drivers all high-fiving and laughing plus all the office, shop, warehouse people doing the same.
     
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  3. Pianoman

    Pianoman Light Load Member

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    It's possible if he was a trainer. Trainers make regular mileage pay for all miles the truck rolls. So if you drive 3000 miles and your student drives 2000 all in one week, you get paid .40 a mile or whatever your pay is, for 5000 miles that week. Not a bad deal.
     
  4. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Everything is relative. Starter pay is just that. STARTER PAY. Few jobs demand so many learned skills but are forced to put unskilled bodies in charge of $150k-$200k worth of equipment with no way of knowing how much they might potentially destroy or kill while they learn the finer points.

    You're going to tear stuff up. You may hurt or kill someone. It may cost $2,000 or $2,000,000. They don't know but until you prove yourself, don't expect lots of wages.
     
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2017
  5. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Try starting out as an electricians helper or plumbers assistant and see what sort of hours and crap pay that offers.
     
  6. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    and about 3 months or less, to become a trainer!!!
     
  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    You have some fool that has bad work history, drug problems...etc, that decides to 'be a trucker' because "all truckers do is sit there and hold a steeringwheel and get paid", right?
    Hasnt used his brain since highschool and has trouble listening and following directions. Tough times. And suddenly the recruiters come in and give them a sunshine injection in the arse. They even get a prehire letter. Didn't even have to work for it. Bus ticket and orientation, sitting in a room full of people just like themselves. "But I am special. The recruiter told me so!"

    And when the money start's rolling in, "Hey! I can make the same wage at McDonalds!"

    McDonalds is a job for people who didnt really try to find a job. It's a dead end. If I wanted to become a master chef, I wouldnt go to McDonalds. It wont help my resume. Even if the wages were the same, the Megas are not a dead end. They are a beginning. If you are a person looking to get into the trucking industry, and you decide to go to a Mega carrier, remember they are not the end, they are the very beginning. If you can remember this, you will be fine, even at a Mega. If you were one of those people "looking for a home", you are a fool. That's like saying that you were educated adult because you attended first grade in elementary school when you were a kid.

    They plan to use you and spit you out, I hope you all plan to use them as a toehold and nothing more.

    Luck in battle.
     
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  8. a-trucker123

    a-trucker123 Light Load Member

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    Even though I am important part of the huge US economy, I'm learning it's not the importance of my job but how replaceable I am that determines my market value. Can someone else take over my job easily? Yes, because it is easy for trucking companies to grab anyone off the street and put them behind the steering wheel of an 18-wheeler these days.

    So, what can I do to become less replaceable? Years of experience, clean record, good work ethic, endorsements and the skills to use them? What else?
     
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  9. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    Be the go to reliable guy, the one who gets the job done, with no hand holding
     
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  10. SHOJim

    SHOJim Road Train Member

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    McChubbs....omg lmfao!
     
  11. QuietStorm

    QuietStorm Heavy Load Member

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    It's possible to gross 1250 a week at swift with a good planner once you have a solid reputation.
     
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