who has the best pay packages for newbies?

Starting out, almost all of the startter companies pay about the same. Concentrate more on finding a place that you can live somewhat happily with for a year or so while you build your experience level. Then, after that time, you can start looking for a company that pays better. By then you'll know how you feel about the work, if you want to stay, where you want to run, and what you want to haul.

For the first company, look for things like a chance to get home as needed, a good program that will finish your training and smooth off the rough edges, and an attitude towards safety that isn't going to end up with you pushed beyond your limits.

Looking at companies solely on pay is kind of misleading. Since they all pay roughly the same pay, look for other things instead. My 02.

 

whipper, I am going to Maverick Sunday hope to see you there....PM me if any questions Wonderman

 

It's not just pay you should be concerned with.

Factor in mileage, equipment(you don't want to drive crappy equipment), Home time, location of nearest treminal, is it dedicated, OTR or regional, Flatbed-Reefer-Van- Tanker. etc.

 

I signed up to join Maverick, too. They seem to have a good reputation, the recruiter has been honest with what she has told me (I've spoken to some actual drivers to verify), good home-time, and great pay for a new driver! I don't know how long the wait for the application to be processed will take, but I was told it's about a 2 month wait to start the training.

 

From everything I have heard, Maverick is a good company for "skateboarders".

That being said, I'll respond to the original question:

Personally, I think CFI (Contract Freighters, Inc) has the best overall pay package for new drivers. Here's how it breaks out:

1. Student drivers are paid 26cpm for every mile the "Finisher's" (aka trainer) truck is dispatched while they are on the truck.

2. The miles are dispatched and paid as "Practical Miles" not HHG short miles.
This amounts to a paycheck of 7% to 15% more $$ than HHG pay, and likewise you do not drive 7% to 15% miles for free.

3. Additionally, the student driver is also paid 1 cpm to begin in safety bonus for every mile dispatched. This money is paid out "quarterly". CFI does not invent ways to beat you out of the Safety Bonus. They reward safe drivers.

4. CFI pays an additional 5 cpm for every mile that the truck is dispatched in the 12 NE states. While a student is on a Finishers truck, the 5 cpm is split between student and finisher 50/50.

5. CFI pays $22.50 for the 1st extra stop, $30.00 for the second extra, $75.00 for the 3rd extra and all other extra stops..to the driver. While a student is on the truck with the Finisher, the stop pay is split 50/50.

6. If you have to touch the freight, as in a "driver assist" unload or load, it is paid at the rate of $17.50 an hour, with a minimum of 2 hours ($35.00).

7. Six paid holidays at $60.00 each. On the road under a load or at home, its paid. Home for Christmas? "GUARANTEED" if requested.

8. Layover is paid at $60.00 per 24 hours, beginning after 48 hours, then the driver receives $60.00 per each extra 24 hours. For instance, if you were to actually sit for 72 hours you would get $120.00 in layover. However, the chance of that happening or sitting long enough to get layover is just about "none". This is not split by students/finishers. Each gets full layover pay as earned.

Now, simple math will tell you: If a student is on a Finishers truck and the truck is dispatched "only" 2500 miles in one week....the student has earned $650.00 for the week. CFI pays twice a month, with the payperiods being the 1st to the 15th, then 16th to the last day of the month. All miles and extra pay are paid the 4th day after the payperiod ends. Pay at CFI does not depend on the processing of "trip-paks", etc. If you are dispatched 5000 miles (or however many) during a payperiod, 4 days after the end of the payperiod the money is in your bank 4 days later.

There aren't any companies that I know of that pay their student drivers as well. CFI is strictly 53' dry van.

Also, as soon as a student driver completes his or her finishing which involves a minimum of 7500 miles driving....finisher trucks are run as SOLO trucks, not team...the student if they have made the grade, get assigned a tractor, and immediately begin earning 28 cpm, with graduated raises to 35 cpm at the end of one year. If a driver stays at CFI long enough, they can reach 41 cpm and 4 cpm safety bonus.

CFI also provides at no charge to the driver:

EZ Pass Toll Transponder that include all IL tolls, WV tolls and the rest of the NE...NJTPK, PATPK, NY bridge tolls and all.

PrePass Weigh Station Transponder.

Oklahoma Pike Pass Transponder

XM Radio service with all tractors having XM radios installed.

Presently installing FREE wi-fi in terminals.

The fleet's oldest trucks are no more than 3 years old and are traded out on a recurring basis. There are no old junky tractors or trailers here.

I apologize if this sounds like advertising....but its just a post by an "actual driver" for CFI....been there a long time.... and its a rundown of the pay and benefits offered by CFI.

CFIdrivers.com is NOT a company website, its a site for us and you if you're interested in CFI.

 

Thank you Skywalker. It is always nice to hear from happy drivers.

 

I live in North Carolina[East coast]and want to drive West coast.Does anyone know of a GOOD company to start off with?I am very seriously considering USA Trucking.For some reason,that name just keeps coming back to me.Any info would be greatly appreciated.I have learned LOTS from the posts on this site.Thanks a bunch from EVERYONE!Kathryn....

 

Change the dates,

and everthings the same, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!