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Hourly driver pay remains rare
June 8, 2010
| by: Jill Dunn
U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill recommended researching hourly pay’s effect on trucker safety at an April 28 Senate hearing on motor carrier safety.
“I would certainly encourage someone to do that study because that would also contribute to less turnover, because (what) grinds these folks down is that you only get paid by how far you go and how quickly you go because the faster you go, the more miles you can drive within a set period of time,” the Missouri Democrat said.
Pay by the mile or load is the norm for long-haul drivers, although companies may pay hourly for certain conditions, such as detention time or loading. While they did not examine the merits of hourly pay, the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration completed research on the relationship between driver compensation and safety in 2002.
“Higher pay produces superior safety performance for firms and for drivers,” the study concluded.
In recent years, Louisiana-based Dupré Logistics began hourly pay for its nearly 800 company drivers.
“The hourly compensation structure has proven beneficial in terms of safety, human resources and retention of our drivers,” said President Tom Voelkel. “It’s an initiative with benefits that far outweigh the cost to our bottom line.” He did not elaborate.
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I definitely think that hourly pay is the way to go, since truckers feel that they have to rush to get their deliveries done quickly.
I have always proclaimed hourly pay the way o go.
I have often run 15/20 hours to make more money/ i have run between 4200 to 5500 miles in 8 days to make more money.
I use no drugs,no cafeine, just drive and sleep no fooling around anyone with 30 pluss years can tell you keeping that left door shut isthe way to make money.
I been screwd and cheated in this industry since day one ,but anyone thats been in it for a while knows th paybacks are costly.
Yes i run as fast as my truck will run at times to make upt for traffic jams, wrecks, contruction,bear traps.
Sorry as long as the filed is not fair or even i do what i have to as always.
I have always proclaimed hourly pay the way o go.I have often run 15/20 hours to make more money/ i have run between 4200 to 5500 miles in 8 days to make more money.
+1
willnot drive for hourley pay.did that lost
lots pay and home.leave miles pay along.
As an owner op w/my spouse, we have always run percentage of each gross trip. We are paid 73% and run leagally regarding hours. There is no reason in the world someone has to run over 11 hrs. to get loads to destination if you would get the mileage idea out of your heads and safety is 1st and foremost you will never have a problem making money. Keep your doors shut and do you run. Keeping speeds down keeps the money in your pocket. All these company drivers I see day in and out speeding and stopping every few hundred miles or less get no further than I do doing 60 mph or less. Use your brains and you will come out ahead. Just think about this realistically. If you are hurrying to get somewhere and believing hourly wages is the way to go maybe you need to be in another business. We already have too many newbies doing this gig who shouldn’t be out there to begin with. Fact is fact.
Diane,
I wholeheartedly agree with “SAFETY” being First and Foremost! Yes reducing speed, increasing following distance and adjusting to the prevalent road conditions is paramount. I have never violated any portion of the 70 hour clock and have driven the full 10 1/2 hours considering that the Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspections are part of the 11 hour clock. A slightly reduced speed contributes to better fuel mileage, less fatigue and a better frame of mind and less stops. I was teamed with a Trainer for 441.7 hours and we traversed the entire country without any incidents. I graduated to solo and delivered may loads nationwide over a period of 3 years. My only regret was not teaming up with another good driver. Again, “SAFETY” must always come first. I have seen too many accidents involving “Big Trucks” caused by fatigue and attempting to or violating the “CLOCK” in order to make money. You cannot make money if you are dead or hospitalized!
Signed: Bob
The one thing I hate is, someone with a little expereince, putting down newbies. they forget that once a pun a time, they were a newbie. Lets bring everyone along, and give support to those that need it. Then they can gain the experince you have. Let’s remember, were all doing the same job.
I’m not sure hourly pay will work.the first thing big companys would do is go to min wage.
We all know that profit rules the world,and if they can they will.and all the new guys would
put up with it.and all the old hans would go away.or maby thats what they want,pays to low as it is,how can a pearson run 2500 mil;es a week @ .38cpm making 950.00 a week and pay for all the road expences and still take care of the familys needs at home.As a habit it cost at least 200.00 to live out on the road.and that don’t cover any emergency expences,am i ranting “YOU BETT CHA
I used to get hourly pay plus overtime at a previous company. It was a great job with great benefits and home every day. The job still exists, but they eliminated all overtime. That made a huge difference in my checks, needless to say. Since then I found another job that pays miles/stops. I miss the old days, but now feel a bit more job security.
Hourly pay is death.’Cause mexican drivers are coming into the U.S. and they work for $180.00 to $200.00 P/WK.They eat,sleep,shower in the truck.Do you do that? NO,well they do.American co.s have affiliates all over the U.S. So mexs. will be delivering their loads.Mexican co.s took over both sides of the border,thanks to NAFTA.So now they,ll take over the U.S. trucking.Don’t blame Obama,or mexico,blame the american companies.They RUN the U.S.Mark my words.
In responds to Mr.Johnny Beauregard,3-30-’10, You say you’ll never work for hrly pay.Mr.Ken Fanelli, 1-5-’11, says it costs $200.00 to live out the road.Mr.Rob Lemon 9-22-’10, is worried about safety.Well,I have news for you all.In a few days,the mexican trucks will start delivering loads from Mexico to all parts of the U.S.Drivers work for $200.00 p/wk.Their pay is direct deposited.Safety is not known in mex.The first drivers will abandon their trucks in the U.S. to live with other relatives already in here.Other drivers will marry anybody for money.Co.s will hire them for lower wages.It’s going to be h*ll here.Unemployed,divorced,ect.ect.