I have been driving flatbed for 1 Year and I am thinking about running regional and being home on weekends. I have been offered a flatbed job for 24% of load running 11 western states. Is this % reasonable based on my experience and for regional flatbedding? Thanks for your input as always.
Percentages are too easily manipulated by owners to short drivers. Unless you actually see the freight rate then I would avoid any percentage deal. In some cases an owner will factor out fuel surcharge before calculating the drivers cut and normally percentage pay schemes pay nothing for empty miles even though you have to log those miles. I prefer a set cpm that can be verified through a duplicate of the companies routing software. That way I KNOW what I am being paid for each and every load not this up and down stuff based on cheap freight on 1 load and then a better paying load. Ask your boss to see the actual load confirmation with the freight rate and I bet he gets ticked off.
ditto about seeing the rates charged... beyond that... 24% is great if he's charging $3 a mile... but it kinda sucks if he's charging $1.70 IMHO its all just a scam to keep us all from making an intelligent apples to apples decision. same for mileage pay really. best bet is to know what the first year drivers averaged (ANNUALLY) at the company. not all drivers... just the new-uns... like you.
Well Im told that the drivers make between 900-1500 a week and there home for 2 days of the weekend. He said worst case is that you will get home Friday night and leave Sunday night. It sounds great but I have set my expectations to 600 -1200 a week to be safe. I can definitely live with that if i am home every weekend. I am only averaging 1K a week and I stay out for 6 weeks at a time now at .36 a mile. Thanks for your input guys I appreciate it.
It might be ok but all the empty miles you have to run are free,that means the company gets thier equipment moved from one place to another and only has to pay fuel,the driver is free
