Why do drivers have to accept freebies

Nobody likes sitting and not getting paid for it but if extra pay isn't in any of the paper work you signed when you took the job then I suggest finding a company that does pay extra.Yes you should have been told of the long wait times but companies aren't stupid they know they wouldn't get anyone to drive for them.

 

Well a CEO making millions doesn't need to acknowledge anyone, you are working thanks to him and his leadership, not the other way around.

I know it sounds like I'm a *** but it is the truth. His work is to keep people working, to watch out for the bottom line and make the company successful.

This goes for drivers who also think they are special, not you but others. They complain and cry about how unfair it is because they are getting $11 or $12 and stuck in a dead end job, expecting a company to pay them more than they are worth but unwilling to do a thing to better themselves.

 

@ad356 - It's all about what you are willing to accept. We all naturally break things down according to the amount of time we work versus the amount we're compensated for it. My biggest advice is to seek out better opportunities over time, and take advantage of them when they present themselves. The main thing is to never make a sideways move.

I did OTR and couldn't accept the "lifestyle" aspect of it, so I went local for a slight paycut with a similar pay structure as you have.

When that was no longer acceptable, I took another local job with a different pay scheme (miles + stop pay). I had (rare) good days that averaged out to $30/hr, but also had days that were as low as $12/hr, which frustrated me because it had nothing to do with my willingness to work or my ability. It was all luck of the draw.

When I could no longer accept that, I got a good LTL job. Our daytime P&D drivers currently make $26/hr with overtime after 40 ($39/hr.!). Then an opportunity opened up to take a nighttime linehaul spot. Now I'm paid per mile, plus drop/hook and fueling. Depending on the run, I make between $28 and $38/hr. Usually somewhere in the mid-30s per hour.

The thing is, nothing is ever perfect and I can still get frustrated over uncompensated downtime. As things get better for you, you will continue to find stuff to complain about. We all do. Enjoy the journey! And be grateful, because there are plenty of guys sleeping in their trucks for weeks at a time for the same amount of money.

 

We agree on something.

 

Maybe "mid-level management" knows more about the situation more than you and your dispatcher?

 

Oh, the joys of 'piece work' or 'production based.'

Now the powers that be will try to convince a worker that 'peice work pay' is just. As if it is for a worker's advantage. That their is some positive to the worker in this pay scheme. Even calling it 'production based work. ' Sorry, it is not 'production based' unless the worker has control of all the factors concerning production. When that happens, the worker has a business, not a job.

All piece work does is relieve management of most, if not all responsibility, for doing any management. All responsibility, for operations can be levied directly on the workers. And what you generally find is when the worker is paid by piece work, management is generally incompetent, irresponsible, and corrupt.

Think of if it this way, when you agree to piece work, you are telling your employer you are communist. Now, I know that is exactly the opposite of what you lead to believe, but so goes all good lies. When, you tell your employer all work should be paid by the same 'piece,' regardless how much work or effort goes into that 'piece,' you are much like the communist ideal, saying all work is the same and should be paid the same rate.

Now, since you agreed to be communist in your workings, despite thinking just the opposite, don't be surprised when your employer and his management remain capitalist and maximize their earnings while minimizing their work. That extra work, inevitably will fall on to you the communist worker. Luck in battle, comrade.

 

Most are salary. Not all, but if their is a bonus in involved it is a small reflection of their total pay and it is usually tied to something like safety not production.

You will find that trucking office staff thievery and corruption, will match or outperform, the dishonesty of a stealership.

It is the exact same system. Management has little responsibility for the work performed, so corruption and back stabbing sets in.

 

Depends on location. At home its just under four bucks a gallon. Went to a grocery store a couple days ago up here in the Midwest to restock the truck. Milk was 1.28 a gallon. I couldn't believe food was so #### cheap up here. If it wasn't for that little thing called winter id move just for the money savings.