Fair Wage And Mileage?

Hi Folks,

I wanted to see if you feel I am receiving a fair wage for my level of experience. I currently drive for large trucking company on a dedicated account in the Northeast U.S. Dry box cargo. 100% no-touch freight (I have a bad back). Great equipment. Nice folks at the company. My wife rides with me (she doesn’t drive the truck). Home most weekends. I don’t wish to be on a driving team (been there, done that). I have an excellent safety record and have received the safety award at my current company for 10+ years.

Here is what I currently make:

Average mileage/week: 1,900 (This is probably lower than average and mostly because of relatively short runs...I'm willing to do more provided I'm running legally.)

pay: 35 cents a mile.

With bonuses, etc. comes to 31,000 gross income per year.

I wish to stay (reside) in the Northeast U.S. I would be willing to do long haul OTR (solo) but I’ve heard from many that you can get stuck at your destination, waiting for days for a return.

I have heard that Wal-Mart and UPS and FedEx Freight are good to drive for, but I would require no-touch freight — any comments on this?

Please comment on whether you think I am receiving a fair wage and mileage for my situation. I am open to suggestions for trucking outfits that would seem to match the situation I am looking for, but with better pay/mileage.

Thanks very much!

The three companies that you list as far as I know are basically 'No Touch". Every job posted, that I have seen, states 85%( +) of drop and hook and the last figure I got for fedex was $20. an hour. You might want to even check in with a mail carrier service- 4day work week $25.00 per hr and yes right here in the Northeast.

So you've been with your company for 10+ years?

I have to be honest. I think you're absolutely getting robbed. After being 10+ years with a company I would want much more than that.

In my first year trucking I took home 32k but I was a complete rookie. As a driver with your background and experience I would expect you to be making more than a rookie especially since you're dealing with short runs in the North East.

For me, that wouldn't be acceptable. You can be a department manager at Lowe's and make more without all the risk and time away from home.

Sorry if my feedback is harsh but you asked for my opinion. :)

I would look into some of the LTL companies. You can make a heck of a lot more money and be home on a regular basis.

MRC - Thanks for your reply -- do you happen to know of a NorthEast mail carrier service with good reputation?

Daniel B. - Thank you for your honesty. Your point about working at Lowe's is well taken, but since I do love trucking, I will start the search for another company -- or at least insist on more miles from my current one. For the Northeast, what do you feel the cents/mile and mileage/week should be?

Brett - Thanks for the advice about the LTL companies. The ones that first come to mind are UPS freight, Old Dominion and Con-way. Can you think of others?

Gotta agree with Daniel. You should be making more than .35cpm, especially if you have to work in the Northeast. I started at .34cpm as a rookie at KLLM. Not sure what part of the northeast you're in but to add to your list of LTL companies off the top of my head New England Motor Freight, Yellow/Roadway, Pitt-Ohio, A Duie Pyle, JB Hunt, CT Express. Just a few I recall seeing in that area. Good luck.

MRC - Thanks for your reply -- do you happen to know of a NorthEast mail carrier service with good reputation?

Daniel B. - Thank you for your honesty. Your point about working at Lowe's is well taken, but since I do love trucking, I will start the search for another company -- or at least insist on more miles from my current one. For the Northeast, what do you feel the cents/mile and mileage/week should be?

Brett - Thanks for the advice about the LTL companies. The ones that first come to mind are UPS freight, Old Dominion and Con-way. Can you think of others?

I'm not Daniel, but I'm gonna chime in here anyway. With your experience, running in the NE you should be getting at least 40 CPM. I'm getting 39 CPM running the west with 3 years under my belt. As far as miles, I wouldn't settle for anything less than 2500 a week.

IMO, you're getting thoroughly hosed.

MRC - Thanks for your reply -- do you happen to know of a NorthEast mail carrier service with good reputation?

Daniel B. - Thank you for your honesty. Your point about working at Lowe's is well taken, but since I do love trucking, I will start the search for another company -- or at least insist on more miles from my current one. For the Northeast, what do you feel the cents/mile and mileage/week should be?

Brett - Thanks for the advice about the LTL companies. The ones that first come to mind are UPS freight, Old Dominion and Con-way. Can you think of others?

I'm not Daniel, but I'm gonna chime in here anyway. With your experience, running in the NE you should be getting at least 40 CPM. I'm getting 39 CPM running the west with 3 years under my belt. As far as miles, I wouldn't settle for anything less than 2500 a week.

IMO, you're getting thoroughly hosed.

I 110% agree. Took the words right out of my big mouth! I would expect no less than 40cpm. You deal with way too many headaches running your area and you should expect to be properly compensated.

Sorry about that RC, got busy with college crap for daughter. I can't vouch for any but T & T enterprises is the mail carrier that I referred to above. I'm not sure what part of the state your out of but If you go to craigslist NH and check out transportation you will find quite a few jobs listed there. Hope this helps, I'll keep an eye on this post if I can help any further let me know. And yes the guys are right, your giving your time to them $$$

If you are OK with raising and lowering landing gear, or moving around a dolly, then I would definitely suggest a linehaul job with an LTL company.

First off, no disrespect, but for an experienced driver with 10 years to show for it, you're definitely getting underpaid. I'm just baffled that you're just now asking this question.