Inconsistent miles

I don't mind overnights (700-1000 miles due next morning) but I rather not make a living doing it. Particularly as a solo. I have fired dispatchers in the past who found that I could be running into the ground doing nothing but overnights in steel. Turns out they make so much revenue so fast doing these shorts rather than say one coast to another. In the end they learned what I liked and hardly heard a word from me about it.

 

Eh for all those runs that are ~750 miles and less I tell them to book the delivery no less than 24h from point I am leaving shipper... works perfect. If you load in the morning at least. This nonsense of load it at 7pm then run like a mad man all night to make 5am delivery is over. I am not the only one who told this to many of my customers and they've actually changed their shipping and delivery times. I had to quit pulling for one of them because now their expectations are impossible under eld and they don't want to hear any of it. Good riddance. If they care to hear the issues I face, then perhaps I can entertain the notion of hauling for them again. But really... I don't much want to.... life is good now so why rock the boat? Got enough people rocking it for me lol..

 

Although I will say when I get worn about right into the ground I have been known to request a Wednesday pickup for a Monday delivery for one of my long run customers. 2100 mile load usually Friday for Monday.

 

If ANY driver feels that their pay is not good should take it up with the company. I know this can work. FYI on changing jobs. Just make sure that nice green lush grass at the new place is not astroturf. Trucking carriers are more alike then different.

 

Do you remember any of the details for the weeks listed, good or bad? Area, the weather, holidays, hometime, breakdowns, your main travel agent out and a back up is covering the desk...ANYTHING that would affect your work? Don’t just quit just yet.

“But Six, The travel agents don’t have anything to do with the loads, the planners do that.”

Really? I’d wager money that OP’s travel agent has a driver on the board that’s getting consistent 2500/week or better. If someone else is getting consistent miles, consistent miles are available in OP’s current gig.

“But Six, how the heck is OP supposed to figure that out?”

He’s not. He asked for help. Between all of us on this board, WE will figure it out.

“Well, I would just quit.”

What if you have a good hand at the table? He hasn’t even seen his cards yet.

 

I run 1400-2000 high end weekly I am a local driver who run a set area every day just about paid hourly sometimes runs are canceled due to weather I live in I-20 pretty much all my runs once while I hit OK state but not very far even then it is rare though I am classified as dedicated by my manager home every night but if you don't expect some days shorter then others you in best get out of trucking I maybe a new driver still my uncle did trucking all his life pretty much what he did in army he does in the civilian world he taught me a lot most important is have money saved up for those rainy days in my case winter is a prick I still average around 700-800 take home maybe not much for some but enough and very little stress might I add only stress is the other horrible truckers who claim to be my equal who should never have been given a driver license much less a CDL take pride in what you do w/e you do it safely not in a rush to get in that ditch or into another family goes to anyone really.

 

Sounds normal for OTR. That's why I don't do OTR. Dedicated account regional might be better or coast to coast.

 

You’re averaging about 2000 miles a week. You need to plan your budget accordingly. If you can’t make it on those numbers. Find another job.

Most regional (out 5-7 days) average around 2300 miles. I’d say you’re in the game pretty solid as a dedicated driver.

Most drivers in my area that do the same type of work, are paid by the hour. At $12 an hour. Want a job you can really complain about? They’re hiring.

PS.... You’re a dedicated route driver. Read that again. Because what you’re seeing now. Is as good as it gets.

 

That’s one reason I switched from pneumatic tanker, to reefer. I now work recaps consistently.

 

Friend of mine does more than that local home daily. Paid mileage and hourly and for events. Makes like 70k. He says he will never do otr.