CPM or percentage for Flatbed company

Percentage is the way to go. They tell you what every load pays and if you ask for it will show you proof. As a company guy if you're making at least 27% you're doing good. Very few companies will pay a guy 32%. Plus the way their scale works if you work smarter and harder you get paid more. Getting paid by the mile might work for some but tmc's average length of haul is 4-500 miles so not a great situation for cpm.

 

That $450-$500 load usually only moves 100-150 miles. Tmc's average is $2.25-$2.50 a mile.

 

As a company driver why would TMC show you the fuel surcharge? That's for their fuel that they pay for. As an o/o for them they stay on top of it and is usually at national average if not above. But as a company driver you have no need for that info.

 

I don't exactly remember but for me I get paid .20 cents a mile if the bounce is more than 100 miles. I just incorporate that in the next load. On average I bounce about 75 miles which is not a big deal.

 

Polarbear 857,Thanks for the info. If they compensate you beyond a certain distance, then that isn't too bad. Currently I am running percentage on a part time basis (dry van) weekends and holidays and have been hung out a couple of times dead heading a considerable distance. But, since it is experience and got a regional job with a small company straight out of CDL school, all is good. Looking to go full time later this summer so trying to see all of the options.

 

the reason why i like to know the fuel surcharge is it's one more way to keep the company honest ur right i dont get a piece of it and nor should i as a company driver but it is a way to figure how honest ur company is. aside from calling the broker which i can do at anytime and ask but i believe it is somewhat unprofessional should only be done if there is true and legitimate doubt. my company emails me a copy of the actual load confirmation for every load i do BEFORE i pick it up and this info is on it.

i trust my company as they have earned it but i have worked for some shoddy company's who pay percentage and dont tell u the real numbers so i am not as trusting anymore.

but as long as u find a decent reputable honest company that pays percentage and willing to show u what the rates are then like as stated above by other percentage is the only way to go...the only way i will go for something else and thats hourly with time and a half

 

Whether its part time or not its still experience. Get a good 6months to a year and keep your nose clean you could probably go anywhere you want, the turnover rate is that bad.
I didn't mean any disrespect fisher but you understand my point. I'm not saying the fm wouldn't tell you but he'd wonder what it was about. I've questioned a few loads and called the right people, even talked to the customers and TMC has always been spot on. When you have a large company like this it's also a legal threat to try to skim the top, u know what I mean?

 

yes i do and no offence taken i actually learned me something lol seemed like every tmc driver i talked to always said they could never get the true rate from tmc. they would just tell u a number and u had to live with it. but u make a good point. a big company like tmc skimming the rate would be in some real hot water if they ever got caught.

thank you for the clarafication. though i do not believe in there fluctuating percentage system at 25% of the line haul i make good money but i work hard for it especially my LTL's i would be bull #### if my company dropped my percentage because i idel'd a couple nights last month lol

 

I understand what you're saying but if I were the boss I'd probably do the same thing. Give the man a good raise for being proactive and saving the company money, and by performing well. This doesn't necessarily affect me but it does. I'm the one paying for the fuel. If anything it prepared you for being an o/o. It's not always about how much you make but how much you save.

 

I would never go back to CPM. Percentage is the only way to go. Gets you have the pressure of "gotta turn my miles". You can work with a good FM then and he can find you lots of short loads that pay a lot better than any long load. AND you'd make the same or more money than begging for miles.


Work smarter not harder. Why drive when you can make the money sitting around loading/unloading. And get the same income.