Which is better: percentage of load or pay by mile?

Sorry, they, % and btm have, certain advantages, depending on what you haul. % is more incentive, meaning, theoretically, the faster you get the load delivered, the more per hour you make. Mileage is a bit different, you get paid the same, whether it takes you a day, or a week. Kind of incentive, as well, I guess. Either way, when, for whatever reason, the truck isn't moving, you take it in the shorts ( while the owner doesn't) Plus, you never know, a % of what? Owner isn't going to tell you what that really paid. The upside to non-hourly, is the owner can't gripe where are you? I wouldn't drive a truck today unless it was by the hour.

 

No. If they pick and choose all loads for you, you want mileage. Travel agents have the tendency to bounce you all over when they don't have to pay deadhead miles.

 

IF the tarrifs on the freight are high, you want to be paid a percentage TTT (To The Truck) BEFORE expenses (like fuel or anything else). If the tarrifs are low, then mileage or hourly is likely the way to go.

I have worked per mile. I struggled financially.

For the last two years I work by percentage in high tarrif freight, for the oil field. I make far more today in this situation than I did hauling dog food by the mile. That's taking into account if I was still a company driver. I own my truck now, so the income and expenses are greater.

If you are offered a percentage position, first make sure it is on gross revenue to the truck without any expenses deducted. Then ask what the average rate per mile is AND the average deadhead miles are (as a percentage of total miles). A good owner or company should be able to provide you with that kind of information.

Percentage pay can also be described as commission pay.

 

Which ever has the highest return!

 

If there was a big difference, they would not offer you a choice.

 

I prefer percentage

 

Mileage pay and percentage are effectively the same. Your load, whether percentage or mileage, is based on x amount per mile. It all depends on what the shipper pays the company per mile and how long it is.

 

True and not true.

For example, you could be paid $0.50 a mile or paid 25% of $2.00 a mile and those are both the same. But wouldn't you rather be paid 25% of $3.00 a mile? Or $4.00 a mile?

 

True enough. With mileage pay your pay will be more consistent than with percentage because of varied rates for loads. Also, percentage does not pay for deadhead miles while mileage usually does.