What is YOUR income, any/all experience?

Well, you hit the nail on the head... these are the kinds of figures that NEED to be put out there to force trucking companies to start paying a decent wage and getting drivers home more often who want to be home, while still making good money.

But you are wrong in that the pay per hour DOES matter because it is the real income you are receiving and it is how everything in the working world is broken down. If someone came to you and offered you a job, told you they would pay you $6 an hour, you would have 3 days off a month, work 24 hours a day/7 days a week... what would be your reaction?

Note the other professional drives on this thread who have given a breakdown on what their income is... the ones making GOOD money, that have a GOOG income with benefits and doing what they like... these guys are home on a regular basis as well...are ALL working for companies that pay them BY THE HOUR. These drivers don't state if they are union or not, but I assure you, they are either union or smaller private fleets that pay well for good experienced drivers and treat their drivers well. Thuis is opposed to the big companies that are driver mills and that are trying to control this industry.

The drivers who posted on here that are making good incomes, are prrof that companies can make money and be viable in an industry while paying their drivers excellent HOURLY wages and benefits with good home time. If they can do it, all can do it. But the Jerry Moyes of the world (owner of SWIFT and Swift subsidiaries) rake in the bucks, some of which could and SHOULD be going to drivers, and instead afford him the chance to buy sports teams and live in luxury. Do you think he will change his pay scale for drivers? Hell no. Do you think Swift, Knight, name a hundred large companies.... will start paying drivers by the hour and give them more home time? Hell no. Why should they? Because the fed. govt. has established a system for them that is essentially a system of endentured servants... also know as slaves. You eat, sleep and live in your truck, work 24 hours a day, for $5 or $6 an hour!

If you think that is acceptable.. you are crazy. Like the post about the folks from the restaurant industry, which I understand because I owned a restaurant myself. Long hours. BUT, I was home, saw my kids, and had control... though I would not do it again. If she and her husband find it acceptable to work for $6 an hour... lol.. that's their thing. If indentured servitude is what you enjoy... be my guest. My preference is to work like the professional drivers posting on here who are paid by the hour. And my whole point of this excercise is that this is what ALL trucking companies should be held to... this standard of pay and treatment. But it will not happen as long as there are those who don't care and who are happy making $6 an hour as slaves to some large company.

Last, greatly appreciate the drivers taking their time to provide breakdowns on hours, income, etc... I think it is an extremely educational excercise. Interesting that there is no input from drivers for the larger companies and being paid .30 or .35 or .40 per mile even... even still... I hope everyone who reads these comments here will take the time to breakdown their pay and maybe it will wake up enough drivers to start saying "wait a #### minute, this ain't right!"

 

You have one statement I agree with... if you are happy making $6.00 an hour... "trucking wins". BTW... he can pick and chose, but he starts taking time off, watch what happens to his loads and miles... industry norm for the big companies is a MAX. of 4 days in a row off, and they usually include the day you get home and the day you leave as 2 of those 4 days. But again... watch what happens if and when he starts taking time off.

 

These are the kinds of jobs I want and that I think most would want... but yes... verifiable experience of at least 1 or 2 years... and that is where the big companies have people like me by the 'nads... you gotta slave for them for 2 years to be eligible, and that is wrong. Everyone should have the chance to make a good wage under good conditions... not as much as experienced drivers, but more than $6hr. Local jobs pay $10 to $15... but.. companies like yours won't accept that as experience usually. You can't win. What was your first job? How did you get to where you are now? I am curious. Same with the tanker driver.. I know he too has experience to get where he is.

Thanks for your input. Appreciate the time and comments.