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To Reefer or Not To Reefer?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by The Gryphon, Nov 15, 2011.

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  1. Nov 20, 2011 #41
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    It can be a big deal when the basics don't cover problems, it is another machine after all, and machines do develop problems over periods of time. There is a difference of always pulling the same trailer. and pulling whichever one gets loaded. Fuel gels when it gets cold, some loads require continuous and some require setting of temps. Just running TK units, there are lots of different things you run across. I have had 2 failures requiring dealer service in the past16 months

    Some odors get into the unit and are very difficult to get rid of short of just airing it out by running it with the doors open sitting somewhere, Coffee doesn't cure everything and neither does washing it out.
     
    25(2)+2, Nov 20, 2011
    25(2)+2, Nov 20, 2011
    #41
    Panhandle flash Thanks this.
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  3. Nov 20, 2011 #42
    The Gryphon

    The Gryphon Heavy Load Member

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    So, as far as trailers go, do most companies assign both a truck and trailer to their drivers? Or do most reefer drivers switch out trailers like the dry van guys do?

    If one is assigned both a truck and a trailer, that means a lot of time waiting for the trailer to be loaded and unloaded in contrast to just dropping a trailer off and picking another one up, huh? Is the driver typically paid for the time spent waiting for loading/unloading, etc.?
     
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    #42
  4. Nov 20, 2011 #43
    The Gryphon

    The Gryphon Heavy Load Member

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    When it comes to compensation, what are the reefer specific questions that a driver should ask a potential employer?

    It sounds like there's a lot more to it than just the mileage pay rate.

    Layover pay?

    Detention pay?

    Multiple stop pay?

    Other reefer specific pay?

    And what is considered "good pay" in those categories for pulling a reefer?
     
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    #43
  5. Nov 20, 2011 #44
    Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Depends on the size of your company and whether your an O/O that owns your own trailer. Bigger companies, you'll just be assigned a trk and change tlrs fairly often. Problem with that is, you'll never know what kind of shape the tlr your getting is in. With just one tlr, you'll know the shape but then will have the waiting involved.

    Except for the last question, those are questions you should ask for ANY company you go to work for.
     
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    #44
    The Gryphon Thanks this.
  7. Nov 20, 2011 #45
    Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    thought I ought to add a bit more on the swapping tlrs. When you swap a tlr, you'll need to do a good pretrip on it. There are way to many drivers out there that are either to lazy to do one themselves, or don't know how to pretrip one, or were to lazy to get it fixed. Have dealt with flats, bent rims, holes in the tlr, reefer won't start, bad shocks, airbags, etc. All this was MY time being wasted due to somebody else!!!!!
     
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    #45
    The Gryphon and 25(2)+2 Thank this.
  8. Nov 20, 2011 #46
    The Gryphon

    The Gryphon Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks Panhandle flash!

    I figured that detention, layover and multiple stop pay is "universal", I'm really interested to know if there's any other pay categories that are specific to reefers and/or what is considered good pay in all those categories for a newbie pulling a reefer.
     
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    #46
  9. Nov 20, 2011 #47
    Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Not sure of any pay that is specific to running reefers. As to what is considered "good" pay....... that can be anybodies guess and depends on what miles you'll actually run vs what the recruiters say, does the pay that they tell you include per diem, how long do you actually have to be stopped before layover, detention, breakdown pay start.
     
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    #47
    The Gryphon Thanks this.
  10. Nov 20, 2011 #48
    The Gryphon

    The Gryphon Heavy Load Member

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    Gotcha.

    One question that I have is that if I am sitting somewhere waiting to be loaded or unloaded, should I EXPECT to be paid for the time spent there? (Of course, I WANT to be paid for that time, but should I EXPECT to be paid for that time?)

    Can that time be counted as "crew rest" or whatever its called in the industry? Or is that counted against the number of hours I can drive per 7/8 day period?
     
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    #48
  11. Nov 20, 2011 #49
    Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Yes and no. (bet you love that answer, eh) What it will mostly effect, is your 14 hr clock. Now, if you lose to much time on your 14, then you'll also start losing time on your 11. Course, that also depends on other variables.
     
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    Panhandle flash, Nov 20, 2011
    #49
    The Gryphon Thanks this.
  12. Nov 20, 2011 #50
    The Gryphon

    The Gryphon Heavy Load Member

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    Gee thanks for that specifically non-specific answer!! :biggrin_25519:

    Seriously, I understand what you're saying and I appreciate you taking the time to post answers to my questions!
     
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    The Gryphon, Nov 20, 2011
    #50
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