Would you find a different gig or try to stick around?

Posted by RackingUpTheMiles@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 15 comments

So I'm running regional with a mega and the pay is pretty good ($0.80 cpm, layover pay, and extra pay for special projects) and I've usually gotten home when I've wanted/needed to. I had a truck with a lot of problems and asked for a better one and received it. I rarely have to run my clock out and still make around $1200 a week. Overall I've been treated decent and paid much better than anywhere else I've worked. I left for a local job that went south before it could even start and I came back.

Here's the problem. I was supposed to go home 3 weeks ago only to find my load heading there left without me. Not the first time I've had it happen. They've also changed the way we get fuel and it's to the point where I'm having to run it uncomfortably low. And I can't just stop for fuel, it has to pre authorized/planned. Now I'm waiting for roadside assistance to show up because my trailer tandems won't lock in. I was told 90 minutes and it's been 5.5 hours.

I'm getting annoyed to the point where I'm considering going elsewhere.

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RackingUpTheMiles@reddit (OP)

They just changed a lot of the fueling stuff due to the current high prices. There's a few places where I know I'm not gonna get home on time or at all if I go there.

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Critical_Opening_526@reddit

My company advertises .45 a mile. It's great, their pay structure but sounds horrible on paper.

I make .45 a mile. I get $5 for every drop, and every hook. ($10 for a full drop and hook)

I get paid $20/hr for unload. Immediately from the moment I'm on site until I leave. No waiting an hour or 2 for detention.

I make $100 in breakdown pay, and $50 to swap a truck. Theres more I can't remember also.

I run about 1900 miles a week and my take home after taxes is 1400. Regional home weekends.

But they have a hard time because people just look at the .45 and think anywhere else pays more.

I'm thinking this. 80 sounds good but all your time is being spent not actually getting paid.

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RackingUpTheMiles@reddit (OP)

I run the northeast so there's only so much I can get. I can do 1500-2500 a week and get a good paycheck.

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RackingUpTheMiles@reddit (OP)

I only run northeast.

No-Fix-614@reddit

Honestly $0.80 CPM and decent home time is hard to beat in this market. I’d probably stick around unless the fuel nonsense and missed home time become the new normal instead of occasional screwups.

Kkalemauser@reddit

I would ask for more mileage but that’s just me.

Your CPM is great though.

Auquaholic@reddit

More per mile with less miles or less per mile with more miles. Hmmmm. I'd stay.

Username does not check out.

Beneficialsensai@reddit

LOLOLOLZZZ

buckytuba1@reddit

Mvt driver. I run SE to stay away from snow and ice. I'm out 7 to 9 days then home a minimum of 48 hrs. I love my fleet manager. I have had to text her during her off hours cause I can't communicate with the dispatcher. The people at MVT are great for the most part and that's the most important thing.

Dezzolve@reddit

80cpm with extra pay and only making $1200/wk?

Jesus those miles are abysmal.

Personal-Damage-7051@reddit

Life isn't sunshine and daisies. (No offense just something that was said to me one time) Yeah times are rough sometimes. I think this is a great career. Job security is wonderful. AI isn't going to figure out how to strap coils to my flatbed or chain CAT equipment down. I can be here 10-15 more years. Save up everything. Keep my 401k's going. Investment's going. Stay out in my truck with my dog. And retire at 36-40. Saving 40-60k a year set aside. That has me retiring with about 500k in savings + investments over 15 years.

I can't really fathom anywhere else I can do that, and chase money with almost no expenses.

OhLordKrakenHelp@reddit

Who do you drive for if you don’t mind. I’m looking to get back over the road and I am shopping around for a good company

I am with Melton Truck Lines. Personally love them. Some of my other posts have my truck in them on this reddit can look back. But you are 20 cents a mile higher then me. I'm only at $1800-2300 a week.

I'll get around to getting a hazmat endorsement eventually. When something convinces me to go back to my home state and stay still for a few days to get one lol

chocolate_asshole@reddit

if the money and treatment are better than what you’ve had before, i’d probably milk it while quietly shopping around companies that respect home time more and don’t play games with fuel and breakdowns. hard to walk from 1200 a week when finding anything decent is a pain right now