KAG/ARL

I think it's more about their business practices than their driver pay.

 

Driver pay too. 80- 90K is not bad unless other carriers pay more. The problem with KAG under bidding everyone is companies don't have the profit margins to give drivers wage increases.

 

The fact that they have their freaking hands in all parts of the tanker industry is what really gives them pull as well. From chem, oil, fuel, cryo it's never enough for their stockholders, and they hide it by flying under other companies names.

 

In CA years ago KAG cut drivers pay by $2 because the stockholders were not getting a 9% return. This was due to KAG West not taking into account deadhead miles. Many drivers stayed because they did not want to lose their schedule and go back on nights.

 

Up until just a few years ago they were still running equipment from the Benito days. They even caved in and gave their drivers a lil raise, they had no choice they were getting smoked by the competition.

 

Hate 'em if you want, I work for them, and I'm happy.
Of course I can't speak for the company, or every division, but I made just a little under $70k in 2018, running gas/diesel, average 55 hrs, lots of guys made more. We got raises the last 3 years, and they are replacing the older equipment. I was on course to nearly $80k in 2019, but I bought my own used truck. Since I became a O/O I am doing very good with them, and expect to pay off the truck in the first year, and that includes having to spend almost $20k on emissions!
Some guys don't like change, some listen to truckstop stories, some are just never satisfied, whatever, the industry, like every other one, has to change from time to time, and you have to either roll with it or get out.
If KAG hadn't come along and done it, some mega carrier would have, and I bet it would have been a lot worse! Imagine working for Schneider, or JB!
I'm a name, not a number at dispatch, and they work with me if I want or need something, I'm often given a choice of loads.
So, go ahead, crack your jokes, make derogatory/uninformed comments, and pile on, I don't care. I'll just be sitting over here on a nice bank account, laughing at you.
Also remember, it's a free country (unless democrats take over) and you're not forced to work for anyone. So go ahead, find that perfect carrier, with only shiny new trucks, 40hrs a week, paying $150k+ a year, only working nice days, driving on smooth, flat roads, and be happy, while it lasts.

 

In 2005 I made about 80k with KAG in 2012 it was about the same. It's nice to see they have come so far in the last 15 years. When I left KAG in 2012 they were paying just over $25 an hour. After 8 years of being gone I curious how much they're paying now.

 

70k ?? Tell me you live in the sticks please. I've made that running regular freight.