CPM

Don't settle. You'll hear people say to expect 40k in your first year, but it doesn't have to be true, especially not in your part of the country. When I started about five years ago, I did just over 60 in my first year at Prime flatbed.

 

Shoot for a company that offers a guaranteed paycheck regardless of how many miles were driven.

 

I wouldn't take hourly for anything close to what I'm doing. I get paid 30.00 per stop I make in addition to the miles. So most of the time we can get loaded and on our way in about 45 min to 1 hour. Thats 30 an hour to do a bit of manual labor.

 

Most bottom feeder companies offer little or nothing to compensate for time detained at shipper or consignee. That could wipe out half of someone's pay.
People think that truck driver pay is limited only by your ability to stay awake. Detention time is the biggest hindrance to a decent paycheck unless that time is paid for.

 

Oh I believe it. I get paid for every 24 hour period I sit not moving. Its alright, definitely make more rolling, put it pads the check. I dont deal with shippers/receivers too often. But ive read plenty of horror stories about how they can be.. Detain you for hours with no access to a bathroom.. Or anything

 

From what ive heard a lot of times drivers end up doing things they dont have to do because they just dont know better and dont ask. I talked with a driving instructor that used to drive for KLLM. He said often times drivers will go sit at a customer location when they can really just drop the load at a drop yard then grab another load going some place else and take off. It doesnt happen often because drivers arent taught there are drop yards available and you have to call dispatch and ask for the location. Its a way you can sometimes bypass the waiting and get back on the interstate.

Thats what I was told anyway. I haven't tried it because I am not straight OTR right now. Sounds ideal for guys paid mileage only.

 

You researched the wrong Ozark. We're out of Memphis and we only run East of the mississippi 90% of the time.

And yes, we start out at 43cpm, NO SLIDING SCALE. In fact, if its less than 300 miles you get a sliding UP scale of short haul pay in addition to your 43cpm to start.

I find it weird they aren't hiring in New York. I've been there. Heck I was in Watkins Glen the weekend of the race. There was a checkered flag screwed to every light pole in that town.

 

yes good point i'd rather be getting 35c per mile and doing 3000 + miles then getting 40c pm and only getting 2000 miles.

 

1500 miles at 50cpm is 750$, 3000 miles/double the miles at 30cpm is a whopping 150$ more. 1500 miles more takes approx 25hrs or 2-3 days, so for 25 more hrs and a few more days you earn 150$, that make sense to you?