Maintenance escrow reduction by three cents. Every little bit helps the bottom line, but I think I'm going to keep mine at eight cents. It looks like they are going to try everything else first before raising the base pay.
Lowering the maintenance escrow really is not going to help anybody put more money in their pocket... Management there really needs to get with reality...
True, but what this does is put an additional 3-8¢ (depending if you're at 5k or not) in your weekly settlement as opposed to a different account that is earmarked for only 1 purpose; maintenance. This allows you to have 3-8¢ more each week to spend as you see fit. You don't want your monies tied up needlessly in an account you can't readily access. In summary: No, it's not a pay raise. Yes, you keep more of your money in your pocket now.
A couple of additional things that aren't mentioned in the email (and I assume Qcomm that will come soon) 1. Once you hit the 5k mark, you have the option to continue contributing to your maintenance account at any rate you desire. You can put 2,3,5, 8¢ per mile, or whatever. 2. If you have in excess of 5k, you may request a reimbursement of the overage. JCT only requires 5k. Now my personal take on this newest program as I believe there are pros and cons to it. PRO: for those not at 5k it puts 3¢ more into your personal pocket each week. This could be as much as 8¢ if you already have 5k. This means that now you are working off of 85-90¢ per mile instead of 82¢ per mile + FSC. CON: the reduction to 5¢ means that it will take longer to reach 5k. 5k should be more than enough to cover any non-warranty issue. The exception may be if you get all new tires and pm at the same time (note: I HIGHLY SUGGEST that you buy any and all tractor tires at the JCT shop as you will get the best price period). This is another attempt by JCT to allow drivers to keep more of their money each week.
Steel, I agree with everything you've said. My comment about the base pay was an attempt to stop complaints about base rate before they come up. My logic of keeping my rate at 8 cents is the sooner can get it built back up, the sooner I can save the full 8 cents. Edit....you forgot truck payment. So, it's actually 60-68 cents plus fuel surcharge.
I was just figuring the viable payment and maintenance escrow. The other fixed cost I had left out exactly for that reason.