USA Truck Driver Newbies, this post is for guys who are wondering what usa like

Xcitement, thanks for the info. I have a follow-up call with Drivers Solutions in an hour and am looking at starting the CDL training next week. Trying to decide if USA is a decent company to begin with and from the posts I've read so far, it seems like it has it's pros and cons like any other company out there. I'm being told that USA will be my hire company. I have 2 questions: 1) Does USA pay you by the "actual" miles diven or the "route" miles? 2) Are you compensated for all idle time (i.e., truck broke, over weekend stay, etc.), or does the company decide when and if you'll be paid?

 

I was broke down 3 days and have not got break down pay or any other pay for that matter auto shift got stuck and had to be taken back to atlanta

 

Hmm, these are all questions that could/would have been answered by a USA recruiter. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing their job and would like for them to come drive my truck for awhile in return...lol

Anyway, you get paid household movers miles which in a nutshell is as a crow flies, zip code to zip code. Breakdown, layover, weekend, detention and short haul pay are also all paid. However conditions do exist. Ask a recruiter for more specifics.

 

JFROG, thanks. I'm still talking to the recruiter so I'll ask and see what reply I get. My short experience this far is they try hard to stay in the "middle man" position and not answer too many specific questions. I had a few questions about the CDL course itself and was told I needed to contact the college, which I did. And I actuallly got return calls and answers. I'm wondering if I ask those questions I be told "I'm just the recruiter" like I've already been told and will have to find someone in USA Truck itself who can and will answer the question. Thought I'd solicit feedback from someone who actually already works for the company to find out. But I'll ask.

BTW, These posts and blogs have been invaluable to me. I gotten a lot of great information that has provided me with a "feel" for what I might expect. It DEFINITELY pays to do your research.
Thanks to all of you all who have taken the time to offer some info or respond to a post. We are each other's back.

 

Driver770....are you working for USA Truck?

 

Driver770 if you was broke down u got to stay on top of your fleet manager to make sure u get paid for your breakdown days. Make sure you right down all the dates and the Time as well just keep up with all the info, to cover your bases. If you pulled your paycheck via quallcomm it want list breakdown pay on the qc it only shows up on your pshyical check stub.

 

The northeast will be a common visit for you. With my new driver manager I have been seeing more of the southeast and midwest, however. I just took a spin up in Minnesota down to Kansas City (seem to go there a lot) over to Augusta. My first manager took me up north a lot. This one seems to send me west and south more. I am not sure if it is luck of the draw or if the manager actually has influence. If you listen to them they insist load planner, load planner, load planner. Where you deliver influences the next move. You will seldom deadhead more than 100 miles, although I have deadheaded over 240 before. I did a 151 deadhead today out of west Kentucky.

 

As much as I don't like it, simple fact is, that is where the freight pays best. Up and down the east. That is why you see so many USA trucks pulling there lately. USA is struggling to turn a profit. Its easier to make it there than the midwest. Now for the new hires that's a good thing. Since your wages are less, you are more apt to be sent to the midwest and south to pull the cheaper freight. But remember there isn't. As much so you might have waits between loads as they look for more for you.

 

Yes i drive for usa truck so far the truck issue is only complaint i have fleetmanag said id get my break down pay on next check truck 2243

 

My buddies claimed I was northeast dedicated my first 6 months. They swore I was getting a northeast accent and losing my southern one.