Forward Air, based in Greenville, Tennessee, today announced a per-mile rate increase to independent contractors in the truckload expedited (TLX) and less than truckload (LTL) operating divisions effective Oct. 1.
Independent contractors in the company’s TLX division will receive a 10 cents per loaded mile increase. Contractors in the LTL division will receive a 3 cents per loaded mile increase. It was also announced that fleet owners operating more than one unit will receive the tenure rate of up to 5 cents per mile, for their entire fleet based on the contract date of their oldest truck.
“LTL has long been the cornerstone of Forward Air, and I’m extremely excited to see that group get an increase,” says Ryan Gilliam, vice president of recruiting. “Our turnover rate on that group is under 40 percent, which is borderline unheard of in this industry, and we hope to see that improve even more with this adjustment.” Gilliam adds, “And the TLX group has such momentum right now, to see that division get such a sizable increase, it’s now truly positioned as a top-notch offering to a prospective IC.”
The company said its LTL owner-operators run from one Forward Air terminal to another, mostly at night, averaging 3,000 miles (solo) to 5,800 miles (team) per week. TLX drivers run point to point, and average between 2,800 miles (solo) to 5,000 miles (team) each week.
Solo LTL owner-operators can earn between $1.01 and $1.085 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharge, while team LTL owner-operators can earn between $1.11 and $1.20 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharge. Solo TLX drivers can earn between $1.16 and $1.235 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharge, while team TLX drivers can earn between $1.23 and $1.32 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharge.
