Question to vets and even newbies.

I was paid 25% back in the 80's going NE (NYC Hunts in particular... almost every evening from Baltimore) and it was good money back then, net was 600 after taxes.

When I hauled Milk in a set of two strict routes with 15 farms to Baltimore every day, I was paid about 1600 net each month after taxes. THAT was #### good money back then. There is at that time no point in trying to go OTR or look for any other employer. And there I was at 21 raking in that much while my friends worked for a couple hundred at most in a food place. Bulk tanking did better than that with potentially 450 dollar gross if I was able to get in 5 or 6 loads to Pentagon Arlington Silos from Lime Kiln each day. That involved some speeding approaching 100 back then. there was no truck restrictings in the two left lanes of 495 back then either. Tickets hell yes. 45 dollars for 80 or less. And 7 points until suspension at the 8th. Gasoline people raked in ungodly amounts of money each week. But I was not expected to go gasoline until 25 (Like I planned to, NOT... due to family history)

My life on the road is a story of inflation. .24 cents a mile was big money OTR running flat out. in the 80's Then making almost .50 in 2000-2001 time frame grossed about 67K roughly before taxes. And that was only half the potential earnings because part of our team work at that year was rescuing late solos. We could have cleared 120, if we just did Avenel and LA back and forth.

It's still inflation. If I was to go out again as a Solo, I would require a minimum of .65 a mile or 30% nothing less. On paper I have the experience to make it happen, but because of the sheer number of years Ive been off road to medical problems that history is not provable anymore it is as if I never drove at all. Funny how that works. But there is that. .65 a mile or forget it.

I once bought a semi tractor back in the 90's we were structured to minimum break even of 1.20 when necessary and at least 1.50 where possible for making a small profit. One of my companies contract freight at 2.45 a mile average. I am not allowed to possess that information having gotten it by getting into several prohibited rooms with printers that held that data. Im lucky they did not fire me for that.

Anyway. Bottom line .65 as Solo or 1.00 as team. Nothing less. And it has to be GPS actual miles. No more of that HHG BS which loses 15% as a minimum off the bat.

 

Are you forced dispatch? If so, mileage would be the better way for you. If you have a say where the truck goes, percentage will pay twice as much once you learn ur company's freight lanes.

Experienced driver...whether you be mileage or percentage, if youre not making a grand a week, you're dong something wrong.

 

Forced dispatch cannot be turned down, you are going.

Let's say you say no.

You will sit. And sit. And sit some more. Until you are out of money and then food etc. Ready to take the load now? Have you learned your lesson? It is no problem for a company to sit you and your truck somewhere for weeks if necessary, if that is what it takes to get forced dispatch into your starving head.

Now I am not too difficult. With the bad medicine I offer the sweet thought of this...

If you are a good trucker going places most wont, you might go find out one of three or five choices about what loads you want to choose. Those are very nice to have and are considered a reward for work well done. Choose carefully.

A long time ago we spent three days as a yard jockey in the Brass Foundry at Buffalo. A whole sleeper truck shuffling trailers at very little to no money. But we did it cheerfully. (Kinda.. the trees heard more than THEY did...)

As a reward we were given a 2500 mile run to Sunny Phoenix in the dead of winter, Just need to plow past Erie to get it done.

We were so on the way to Phoenix. The call comes in past Indy... can you get this late solo into Ontario (Which is experiencing a ice storm...)

No.

Believe it or not, that was the end of our relationship with Chicago dispatch. Phoenix and Denver took care of us well from that point. Even San Fran got to work with us as did LA. But Chicago was where it was happening though. It's a shame.