Why, Why, Why?

Because they don't have a clue as to what it's like. Many have never even seen the inside of a truck, let alone know what it really takes to run one. They are paid bonuses for the amount of freight/miles covered and couldn't care less that, at 5:00, they head home while you keep going.

See #1. Same concept. They need you moving so they make more $$

Trucking schools. A never ending supply of desperate individuals chomping at the bit to play Billy Bigrigger. Many don't last beyond a few months, but, by that time, the noob reserves have been replenished.

Well, part of the reason the public perceives us as they do because of the way so many drivers present themselves in public.

You're right. However, organizing truckers is like herding cats, as has been said before.

No, but as with everything else, people have preferences and nicer equipment draws drivers. Me? I just picked up a 2000 Freightliner Columbia for a song. I'll probably run it till I'm sitting out there in the wind with a helmet on because the cab has rotted away around me. Well, that or until I can afford the W900L model I want.

We have allowed it, not just as drivers, but as citizens of this country, by electing misfits to run things.

 

Guess it depends on what part of the nation you live in whether $10 an hour is so terrible. I agree that it seems rather lame to pay that low, but there are a lot of areas of the country where there are more than enough people that will work for that wage and be happy to have a job.

Unfortunately, the majority of carriers take advantage of the economic climate. Until the majority of the country is on $20 an hour average wage like you suggest, then driving jobs will pay that as an average.

Remember though, if the average wage makes it to $20 an hour everywhere, the cost of things will go up accordingly, so that $20 an hour will not seem like such a big deal. A vicious circle, isn't it?

 

Heh, I'm currently in the IT field and I make less than $40k a year.

 

That is why intelligent people also talk to the people driving for the company and don't go only on what a recruiter says. New to the industry does not equal stupid.

 

1)+2), general mental, spiritual weakness coupled with that's generally the way society is heading----people don't give a crap anymore. As if being conscientious and doing the right thing is a sin? It really doesn't take anymore energy to do things the right way. Poor management is the default setting these days.


5) Here's why i favor asking for more miles vs. higher CPM and logic behind it: If you go for more miles and get them what this does is make things more predicatable and consistent as far as pay. Example if you get a load going from NYC to L.A. and presumbably back, so 2 ways at .35 cpm, then you know you have your plate full for the next 8 days and will make around $2000 gross for the next 8-10 days or so. Assuming you get mileage like this, then things are more predictable and consistent. Yes, it's more tiring than the other alternative, but what are you doing this for money or fun?

Next example, i make .50 cpm. However, i went from 2250 miles per week (dedicated run) to now about 1350 miles per week because the customer didn't not want to ship as much out which is understandable economically. But the point is high CPM instead of miles is not the way to go.

Yes, things happen in low CPM/high mile situations as well---runs get cut, accounts lost etc. And the ideal situation would be high CPM, high mileage. But the question was miles vs. CPM. i feel high miles usually is the better choice.

Another advantage of high miles is that this gives dispatch more time to find and plan your next load.

6) Not so much make of truck as quality and most importantly spec'ing of the the trucks. i've driven some older (pre columbia/century) freightliners that were very comfortable and tracked great because the flee manager actually took time to spec them out right. This is the key to it all.

 

i don't believe they insinuated you were stupid, but your in for a bit of a shock when your butt actually hits a seat.

 

Please drive down the Big Road on any Saturday or Sunday and see how many trailers have a sticke on the rear door that say " Home every weekend" It just doesnt happen.

Wishing you good Luck and safe miles,

Larry