Have to start somewhere

Heh... I spent 6 hours wrestling a tarp up in Canada because the wind blew it off the trailer about 5 times right when I got it back up. $13 for that? A few times I just laid down on the trailer for a bit to get my composure back and went at it again.

 

Congrats!!! How exciting!! Good luck out there. Keep us up on your adventures.

 

Hey Daytona,

It took me less than 2 months to figure out we/drivers were being cheated out of miles/pay/work.

I also have wondered about the fair labor reg.s and plan o looking into it.

The companies/brokers even with higher fuel costs are still making alot of money on our backs.

We are the ones giving up so much and making minimum wages.......

When I did the math on the miles based on the hours worked paid /unpaid
I have seen Mc D's paying more

Have a great day and be careful................J

 

Why do you think the industry supporters such as the ATA and the trucking companies are scared of any rules that reflect hourly pay.

The recent ruling in Washington concerning overtime pay sent ripples through the area.

If they were to start paying hourly wages, there would be little time spent at docks or waiting to be dispatched.

Who would care how fast they ran.
No more illegal logs.
Realistic dispatching.

The list could keep growing.

 

I'm so glad we get paid on practical miles instead of the home movers guide. Our miles are typically right on and often a bit more than we actually ran if we follow the route as dispatched.

Hourly pay would sure be great and I think that is where we are headed in the future. I think we are headed towards a system where truckload will be handled similar to LTL where drivers relay with other drivers on established routes that take you home every night. So many citizens groups are pushing for the end the OTR lifestyle, so many states are talking about anti-idle laws and some now are banning APU's as well. Parking areas are drying up, rest areas are closing down........ I think the writing is on the wall unless the trucking industry can ban together and use their considerable weight to put a stop to all this and I just don't think that will happen until the full scope of hourly pay hits them in the face. You know whats worse? I'm not sure its really a bad idea.

 

I have been reading all 39 pages of this post. it has taken me 3 nights. My husband is starting C-1 in Little Rock at the end of April. I am really concerned about the economy. K&J your statement makes me worry even more. I really don't know how our economy could function without OTR drivers. I for one an looking forward to riding with Bowmare for 6 months before getting my own cdl & team driving. I really hope they don't make anti-idle laws. That would make mid July & most of the winter months unbearable. Of course, Bowmare is telling me as I type there are already some on the books. God help us!

Daytona, keep up the good work, try to keep your temper down. Just remember what made you start driving! Don't be afraid to stand up for yourselve either! It got you the pay you deserve. And they did not say anything to you when you offer them your keys if they "thought you were goofing off"!

I hope to meet many of you on the road in the next several month. Keep the tires rollen':smt079, God Bless & be safe ! Oh, Congrats to the driver who passed your test.

 

Our instructor kept reminding us to do this. At every stop before going again we were told to check the release handle. You never know when someone might want to teach a newbie a lesson. I can't believe that someone would pull the handle over petty differences or as a dumb prank. People just suck sometimes.