Raise Driver Pay

Raise driver pay ???

You have entry level drivers that can make 40K +

You have veteran drivers that can make 50-60K +

How much should it be raised ????

 

They "can" make that but look at the thousands who get paid chicken feed and live in the truck for weeks on end!
I think starting pay should be no less than 36 cpm and very experienced drivers should be in the 45 to 50 cpm range.
Hell,I was making 38 cpm back in 1990!

 

Most CDL mill graduates don't deserve more than chicken feed . Not saying all , but most . They know what the deal is when they sign up . As they say "Any job is better than no job ".

 

Yes and no.

They mislead these guys into the program. It should start with changing at that level.

 

Agree to some extent,
Those who run hard,get miles and not tear up the truck should make a fair wage.
Also it kills me that some carriers think you need to be out 2 to 3 weeks to get 2 days off.What a crock!

I feel sorry for the newbies that run hard,do a great job and can barely survive on the crap wages.

 

Why this came about and continues to get worse just amazes me.

There is absolutely no reason that they could not get drivers home for a two days off each week.

 

The problem with the driver qualifications and retention is all the government money paid to the CDL Mills and the Training companies.
There is not incentive for them to turn out qualified drivers, retain drivers or vet the candidates in the first place.
The more bodies they can push thru, the more 'free' government money for them.
Take away the money and the problem is largely fixed.
If I, as a trucking company owner, know that the cost of training a new driver falls on me, and if I realize the loss of a driver costs me, I will be much more selective as to who I hire.
I won't paint any golden pictures. I'll tell the truth. If he leaves, my profits leave with him.
If a CDL mill is paid half their fee upon a trainee's successful placement at a company, they won't be enticing the newbie with two DUI's, a bad back or two hundred pounds overweight.
Once I realize how costly it is to lose a driver, I'll do what's necessary to keep the ones I have.
i.e. benefits, pay, time off, time home, etc.

 

Really! Agree 100%!

I am so glad i run dedicated routes and get home every weekend.
Most weeks i am done and home Wed. night or Thursday and also get a night or two home during the week on some weeks.

 

I'll see if I can find the article. There's Russians and Middle Easterners pulling containers for .16/mile in Jersey.
Newbies in training are willing run for .12/mile.

I started at .175 in 1995. Pay topped out around 2005 and then did a JBHunt U-turn.

Anybody with experience in todays economy starting less than .35/mile is a fool.

 

$50K was good 10 years ago. Adapt for the 3% cost of living raise, experienced drivers should be earning at minimum $65K. This is your average experienced OTR driver. That averages out to about a penny a year. Otherwise we are losing ground to the value of a dollar.