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What am I supposed to do??

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by nitroglyc, Aug 2, 2009.

  1. Aug 2, 2009 #1
    nitroglyc

    nitroglyc Bobtail Member

    36
    10
    Apr 13, 2009
    Fairview, TN
    0
    I have been driving for Milan Express (MLXP) for three months this month. I drove for them for three months last year as well. I took some time off in the winter when my wife became disabled due to a back injury. When I worked for them last year, my pay was 30 cpm. Everyone in the company took a 10% pay cut. I was averaging $600 a week last year. When I came back on, they started me at 29.8 cpm. I figured that a decrese of .002 wasn't bad. I still average around 580 to 600 a week. I got a letter in the mail yesterday stating that everyone that is TLS is getting yet another pay cut effective Aug 20. No mention of how much (presumeably another 10%). I believe that I might get dropped down to 26 cpm. I have been having some other problems as well. I broke down in Slidell, LA from July 2-7 and had to fight to get breakdown pay. They only wanted to pay me layover pay. I have a pretty clean MVR, only 2 tickets # 11 mph over the limit. No accidents. My exp. is a little gappy though. I started with Swift Trans. in 2007 and drove for them from 4/2007 to 11/2007 then MLXP from 8/2008 to 11/2008; 5/2009 to current. Obviously I like the company, but I don't know if I can pay my bills on anything less than 600 a week. I also like the fact that I get home on the weekends. My dispatcher and I are constantly into it as he likes to get smart with me almost every morning... like I am his morning coffee. I am getting sick of it. What should I do. I am still too green I think to just leave and think I can go anywhere. I don't know of any o/o that I could drive for, and the company I would like to driver for isn't hiring exp. drivers right now (Swift). Any suggestions would be welcomed.
     
    nitroglyc, Aug 2, 2009
    nitroglyc, Aug 2, 2009
    #1
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  3. Aug 2, 2009 #2
    relic1228

    relic1228 Light Load Member

    150
    45
    Aug 30, 2008
    Springfield, MA
    0
    Stay put, don't move unless you have somewhere to go.Freight is slow for a lot of companies right now. Grin and bear it. It is easier to pay bills on 600 a week than it is on 000 a week.
     
    relic1228, Aug 2, 2009
    relic1228, Aug 2, 2009
    #2
  4. Aug 5, 2009 #3
    frdr

    frdr Medium Load Member

    498
    206
    Aug 25, 2007
    houston, tx.
    0
    How much of a pay cut are the higher-ups in the company taking?
     
    frdr, Aug 5, 2009
    frdr, Aug 5, 2009
    #3
  5. Sep 19, 2009 #4
    southernbamaboy

    southernbamaboy Bobtail Member

    11
    1
    Sep 19, 2009
    lansing,IL
    0
    look here's my 2 cents on this.New or not don't drive for a comp. that pays that low and is going lower.Remember trucking starting out is not a 9-5 job and being somewhat new to it u should find a comp. you can stay out a few weeks at a time.Yes i know everyone say no ! i want to be home every week but this job is like starting fom the bottom and working up.NO FUN OR EASY BUT U GOT TO START SOMWERE.just keep ur dac clean u'll b alright
     
    southernbamaboy, Sep 19, 2009
    southernbamaboy, Sep 19, 2009
    #4
    outerspacehillbilly Thanks this.
  7. Sep 19, 2009 #5
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

    4,349
    2,430
    May 28, 2009
    The Who's Your State
    0
    Well with your "gappy" experience I don't know any company that would could consider you experienced. If Swift does well then uh hmmm. :biggrin_25513:
    I mean you have 11 months total over 3 years time. Why did you leave Swift to start with if that's where you want to go? Why won't they take you back? My guess is you'll have trouble finding anybody to take you. Most likely they will think you can't handle it or the lifestyle because you have had your chances and quit after a couple months each time. Why can't newbies figure that out? Get at least a year at 1 company before even thinking about moving on. It sucks sometimes especially if you choose the wrong co from the start but that's an unfortunate part of this business that you have to deal with.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Sep 19, 2009
    outerspacehillbilly, Sep 19, 2009
    #5
  8. Sep 20, 2009 #6
    George

    George Bobtail Member

    23
    0
    Nov 13, 2008
    Jackson, Tn.
    0
    You must have Troy or Matt. If that is the case try to switch dispatchers, that is what I did and now I make more money because I dont sit as much as I did with someone else. I now have Marilyn and if she is off for some reason I usually deal with Myra, I would recomend either one of them.
     
    George, Sep 20, 2009
    George, Sep 20, 2009
    #6
  9. Sep 20, 2009 #7
    4seasons

    4seasons Light Load Member

    60
    16
    Jul 1, 2009
    Greeneville, TN
    0
    Find the smallest operation you can that is hiring. Then go talk to the owner in his office. Explain your situation and let him know that you just want fair pay and treatment and you will run your butt off. Do this before you quit. A small operation that you can talk to the owner is much easier to work with because you can build a personal relationship with everyone. Most of the time the benefits are less with a small company but a lot of the time the pay is better. That is what I did when I had little experience but wasn't afraid to work hard. Then years latter when I found myself laid off I called the same guy up again and he hired me right back with no hesitation.
     
    4seasons, Sep 20, 2009
    4seasons, Sep 20, 2009
    #7
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