Trans Am Still

Ended up getting a new alternator for the APU here at the yard because the APU was overcharging my batteries. Not too happy about that because I just got a new alternator back in March!! On the bright side, it should still be under warranty. Downside is warranty payouts take forever. I don't like going to Thermoking here in Kansas City either.

 

I'm still thinking about it, Pete. after talking with the owner of the company and the director of recruiting I felt like they basically meant what they said ....but as in most things it always boils down to dollars.....my opinion would not have as much weight as their need to make money. Also, if I sign the contract and they are liars and I quit, then I could not recruit for anyone else for a period of two years. I also realized that it is totally up to me to educate myself on what is a good position for a driver and what isn't. I've always kept up with pay for company drivers, ( and the cpm is going up with many companies announcing increases beginning January 2015), but what I don't know are the ins and outs of leasing. What is a good rate for a lease if you make the assumption that your lease payments are comparable to TransAm's? Are split rates, empty/loaded, just another way to take money out of a driver's pocket?

I know there are always those that are going to lease no matter what, but ultimately my goal would be to place a driver in a position to make a living.... and I'm curious now just for general knowledge. So, what would be acceptable as a living wage if all expenses were equal and mileage was comparable? Would 92 cpm loaded and 84 cpm empty have made any difference in income? More or less? What is the industry standard on percentage of net?

 

Drove from OKC to Omaha earlier today, loaded up and straightened out the truck, then hit the road. Dead dog tired and ready for bed. If you come thru Grovertown, In..... don't wake me up.

 

When pondering a lease, there are two avenues to consider. If the company you work for has "all the miles" you want, and the driver doesn't mind staying out for long periods of time, the cpm rate might be good. However, if the miles aren't there - for example, if the company is more regional than true 48-state - and/or the driver doesn't want to be gone for, say 100 days, the percentage plan is much more reasonable. Personally, I would not do percentage in any case for less than about 72% plus 100% of the FSC and incidentals.

I would also prefer a 'mixed' lease plan that includes a lower weekly payment plus a mileage fee on the order of JCT. That way, taking time off or having a short week for maintenance won't hurt as much; unless you're well-funded - and most of us aren't - it's a lot easier to handle a $350/wk payment with low income than a $900 payment.

 

Had been sitting around on a long, unpaid layover when a message came in a few days ago to recuse a load. Meant I had to drive 600 miles overnight to get the load back on schedule. I had been on a daytime driving schedule but I took up the challenge. Got it done and that 600 miles saved my pay average for the week.

Been busy since. In Illinois now, will deliver in Iowa, then preplan says I will take a load from Iowa to California. So if it all holds, I will be busy again, getting miles and not complaining (so much).

 

Delivered load today. Getting load out of Ft. Morgan to black mountain. Then should turn around and head to Olathe to drop off Jay. He is killing it out here, only thing he has to learn is that everything is his fault

 

The critical lesson we all must learn, no matter which company we work for.