How do you stay motivated?

[mike3fan]

why not lease to a company that pays better? or at least find something else that grandmothers aren't doing? like pulling dry vans around for peanuts......

[GMAN]

I spent 9 hours behind the wheel yesterday and did 514 miles, running mostly at 59 MPH. Since I know I'll get roughly Cnd$0.60 per mile NET income, it means I just made $308 in 9 hours or $34/hr and that's BEFORE the truck payment of $1,600 a month and BEFORE maintenance. For a 9 hour work day especially when you stay out for 2 weeks at a time, I think you should make at least 60 bucks an hour after all expenses, not $34.

Which of course leads me to a possible conclusion that I should stop being an o/o leased to a company but get my own trailer and own authority ... I should be able to make more than 60 cents per mile NET, right?

It depends on the rates for which you haul and your expenses or operational costs. You SHOULD be able to make that much if you drive the truck yourself. With the current economy and rates you could make less when you factor in your other costs. You will have additional expenses running your authority that you don't have now. The major expense will be insurance. If you run for a carrier who furnishes your base plates then you need consider those expenses and add that to your cost of operations. If you don't own a trailer then you will need to add that to your costs, as well.

[solo379]

Since I know I'll get roughly Cnd$0.60 per mile NET income, it means I just made $308 in 9 hours or $34/hr and that's BEFORE the truck payment of $1,600 a month and BEFORE maintenance.

I didn't get it. Net, but b4 truck payment and maintenance? Did you mean "after fuel"? Than you have a bigger problem, than speed issue, it's a low revenue issue. It should be at least 50% higher, just to survive.

[tracer]

I didn't get it.

Ok, here's the latest pay stub (usually they're smaller) for 2 weeks in May 2009

Miles 5669.70
Total revenue $6,356.06

Deductions

GST (tax incl. in fuel purchases) $45.70
Fuel (after FSC and fuel tax) $1,479
Buy down insurance $42
National Truck League insurance $54.24
Truck insurance $269.32
Licensing charge $75
Total deductions: $1965.26

Net pay (deposit into my bank account): $4,390

Out of this I have to set aside $800 for the truck ($1,600 a month total) and $150 for maintenance, so ..

Net "net" actually becomes $3,440 or - divided by 5669 miles - 61 cents per mile profit (taxes still have to be paid at the end of the year). This is all Canadian funds. 111 Cnd dollars equal 100 U.S.

[specialkay]

For a Canadian o/o thats about right. You knew going in that MacKinnon didn't pay the best and with Ont in the toilet (economy wise) the co's that payed better simply don't have the work. The independants I know generally work for less money but roll their office expenses into the trucks expense to make it look better. The comment about tarping not being fun.. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make money. Good luck and you're not alone in the lacking of motivation. I've been a O/O for 12 yrs now and every week I question why I'm even trying right now.

[allan5oh]

$1.15 a mile for all miles including accessory pay? Wow. That's really low.

$800 per cheque for the truck payment?

What's your fuel mileage?

Methinks you need to start pulling a deck. I started in January and I'm very happy with it.

The *ONLY* cure for "dry van disease" which symptoms include low pay and general boredom, is an open trailer! Period!

Now you might have to wait a few months for things to pick up to be able to get on with one of these companies, but trust me it IS worth it.

I'll PM you some more info.

[solo379]

Ok, here's the latest pay stub (usually they're smaller) for 2 weeks in May 2009



Net pay (deposit into my bank account): $4,390

Out of this I have to set aside $800 for the truck ($1,600 a month total) and $150 for maintenance, so ..

So basically, you got around $0.77, b4 truck payment, and maintenance, $150 seems to be kinda on a low side, i calculate my at around 10 cpm, whether I've spend it in this particular period, or not. It's better than $0.60, but still just around "poverty level". Time is tough now, and I'm not making nearly as close, to what I've made last year, (dry box), and taking into consideration, that you are still got volume(mileage), you might want just hang in there, till better times, or move on to more profitable options. But I'll just sit tight for now.....

[tracer]

$1.15 a mile for all miles including accessory pay? Wow. That's really low. $800 per cheque for the truck payment? What's your fuel mileage? Methinks you need to start pulling a deck. I started in January and I'm very happy with it. The *ONLY* cure for "dry van disease" which symptoms include low pay and general boredom, is an open trailer! Period! Now you might have to wait a few months for things to pick up to be able to get on with one of these companies, but trust me it IS worth it.

You think this is low. I showed you guys one of my biggest checks The truck payment is $1,600 per month or $800 bi-weekly (I am paid at MacKinnon every 2 weeks). The fuel mileage is average: mostly depends on the weight load and terrain. Heavy and in hills - 5.5 - 6, Medium weight - 6 - 6.5. Light load going thru OH or MI - close to 7 mpg (US).

I did flatbed last summer and one thing was sure - it was much more interesting. You deal with so many various loads and you are much closer to it. I remember one time they sent me to pick up a couple of steel logs somewhere in OH or PA, and backed up right inside some freaking melting plant. The guy that loaded me used a ceiling crane, but before and after he was busy operating a humongous 5-storey machine that was moving steel logs (the size of a 100 year old tree) from one stove to another.