Let's compare big carriers to small carriers.

Is that biweekly pay?

 

No. Payroll is turned in every Wednesday and the money is in their account on Thursday morning. They self dispatch and make as much as they can driving legally.

 

I tried a couple different places that would lease rather than own their trucks. The smaller companies owned their trucks and took a great interest in keeping them running well and stayed on top of the maintenance. One even had a mechanic in their employ that could do anything, but was not in the habit of tearing down engines since things never got to that point. I really appreciate the way they did business. I now live outside of their hiring area but I would move back if they had a flatbed in the fleet.

 

when you say hard money, what are we talking about a mile or even a week take home pay?

 

Is that with there own trucks or yours? And what type of trailer?

 

I said, "run hard", not "hard money." Many company drivers pulling tankers can "take home" $1000 to $1500 weekly. Some do better.

 

Sorry, my bad and doesn't seem a lot to me, unless they get a great benefit package.

 

Depends on your point of reference. Most owner-operators think that pay is chicken feed. But to us company drivers it's pretty good along with a great benefits and retirement package.

 

Hmm, lets see...
Big carrier have lots of rules to protect them self from all the stupid driver they hire. Someone is always eager to stuff their head up your butt to make sure you know the obvious.
Small carriers like to stuff their head up your butt to do something that they should have already done, or shouldn't be your problem.

Big carriers pay less but match 401k and provide workers comp.
Small carriers don't and leave it up to you for a bit more pay. (not usually enough)

Big carriers, you are a number. The first person up the ladder knows you name when you call. Higher than that won't , but they know your number and if you are really worth something.
Small places know your name.. That fuzzy feeling is enough?


Both of them usually think you are a dumb trucker anyway. They won't give two ships when you really need them. They won't. Small company's will try and blow smoke, big places will concede and find another way.

 

It's not impossible to find the best of both worlds. I drive for a medium-small size regional carrier that matches, has good health insurance, decent pay, and literally everyone knows my name.