65mph vs 70mph

Okay. Hundreds of larger carriers and many hundreds of thousands of drivers working towards fuel bonuses and fuel savings are wrong.

 

I could gear a truck to run 100 @ 1,500 rpm but that doesn't mean anything at the end of the trip in the real world.

 

I'd take the better looking truck and the more consistent miles that gets me home every weekend. A high rate means nothing to me if I'm only moving 100-200 miles a day and sitting at a customer not getting paid.

A big problem with this industry is drivers don't seem to understand that a higher rate doesn't always translate to higher overall pay. They so eagerly jump ship because the recruiter on the other end convinces them they'll be better off at their company, they dangle shiny rates in front of them, and the drivers just jump before thinking where they'll land.

 

Thats not what we have for trucks at SPD. The only hoods we have as company drivers would be a few drivers that have been here for 30 years. And those are just rumors that haven't happened yet.

We have all are trucks with big sleepers. Kenworth 680's, Volvo 780's, some prostars and cascadias. All the trucks are set up for comfort with apus, bunk heaters, refrigerators, and satellite TV. All provide free of charge to the driver.

 

Last year the top driver did make over 100k here at SPD. Last year I was in the top 20% and make $70k on 149k miles. This year has been mostly large oversize loads and some highly specialized loads that a new guy won't be pulling right away. I have made $66K on 80K mile in the first 3 quarters of this year.

This company in not all about money. They truly are a family oriented company. I work at a yard that has 7 workers. Two married couples and a father-son combo. We have a company run fund that drivers can contribute to that helps out our drivers in need. The company used to do this as gifts but we are now a publicly traded company so that won't fly. This company will not micro manage you at all. you plan your routes, stops, set most of your own appointments, and call in with empty deck space so they can find you bonus loads (you get an additional 10% of the gross on top of your mileage pay) etc.

 

Bull.
If your truck is set up right and you know how to operate it that fuel savings is minamal. And let's not forget, those of you so concerned about saving fuel seem to be the ones who never shut off the engine! Idle for hours with no one in the truck.

 

So why not just run 45mph?

 

Time saved is more important than money saved. Time>Money.

 

if it was 65 vs 80mph....but this 5 mph difference? Nothing significant. I rarely go over 70 mph, this does not effect my appointments or anything time sensitive. My psyche and my engine and rear ends sweet spot is 65-68 mph. Good to be able to go up to higher speeds though.
...
I'd favor more money.