Why do we let them get away with it? And why doesn't the government protect drivers

If you're complaining about jobs not paying you for downtime, then STOP accepting jobs that get paid by the mile or a load percentage. It's that simple.

 

Uh oh.....You just interjected some commonsense and logic....
Prepare for the attacks comparing you with Simon Legree....

 

I understand the argument of 'we should get paid for pti, fuel, etc etc' ... But I also understand that I'm making more money than working at Walmart ... It's not right and sure in an ideal trucker world everyone would get their fair share but I look at it as if I'm getting paid even if I'm getting paid cpm ... So I made x amount working 70hrs a week last yr, I just think as it as all part of it ... Waiters work for tips, truckers work for loads ...

 

I do my pre-trip for myself, with csa my job is at stake and I don't want hurt someone else or a family.
I fuel so I can run the miles I need to.

 

uh yeah! I have 2homes,a new motor home,and 2cars ... You work,you get paid! Nuff said.
if you don't progress ,where does that leave you? Yup...same place you started.
this "old age thinking" like most old ideas,are out the door. No two ways about it.

 

Sure nuff!

 

The Government will never defend the little ppl.They stick up for employers with money.They know what is going on with truck drivers and the carriers they drive for,the Government just don't care and never will.The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.

 

One also has to look at the big picture. If I'm on pace to make $50K I don't care what you do. You can't tell your earnings in a week or two because of the roller coasting wages. I usually keep track quarterly. I've been screwed out of money and I have gotten money I didn't expect. If I have $12,500 after 3 months I'm happy. That $10 you didn't get last month doesn't mean squat then. You have to look at some things like you are a salaried employee.

One doesn't have but himself to blame if you picked a bad company. You can control your trucking destiny if you figure it out.

 

Nothing is going to change in our industry. The ATA is lining congresses pockets, the FMCSA is effectively an arm of the ATA. People will not stand together in our industry, too many people cannot survive a strike financially. Plus there are too many bottom feeders that would not stop running. So Ive come to accept it for what it is, and do my best to operate my business profitably. Iam a realist, and sadly this is the reality of trucking.

 

You know that's a new one.

The Fair Labor's Standards Act puts us in the exempt category and has for decades.

There were no "BIG carriers" when the act was revised and the exemption create.