There must be 1/2 dozen posts or more on here exploring that question in GREAT nausiating detail, do a search. I'm on percent as are about 80% of the drivers at TMC. That may help answer your question. If you don't like one way.... You CAN switch 2x's/year.

I kept track of the loads we got this past week. We had a slow week and only took in about $3800 to the truck. It was a poor week because twice we could about spit into the Atlantic while waiting for our next load information. That was for 2860 total miles. At $0.30 per mile starting pay that would have earned $858 to the driver. At 23% of load (starting pay) that would have earned $893 to the driver. Of course tarp pay would be added to that.

You WILL keep track of these loads as far as miles and revenue while with your trainer. Then you will choose when you get your own truck. You can always change your mind twice per year.

I have a theory that the loads with the least bounce (deadhead) miles will be assigned to the mile pay guys since they get paid to bounce. Percentage guys get paid to bounce if it is an excessive distance.

I'm on mileage....but I didn't have any choice in that. Texas dedicated only pays mileage because our d/h is 40% of our total miles.


Fred.....when I first started I was given the option of bus or car and I chose bus. :x The bus from Austin missed the connection bus in Dallas. I ended up renting a car in Dallas but TMC wouldn't pay for it because they already paid for the bus. The cost is the same...except fuel.
If they rent you a car they will ask you to pick someone up along the way to cut down on their total cost. Besides a traveling partner can keep you awake.

You the "real" yellow wolf from deal's gap?!?!?

yeah man thats me!! gotta do some thing for a real job i guess?

There is an article in the New York Times Online about the trucking industry and driver fatigue.

The guy actually said that the FMCSA "loosened" the HOS rules. Go figger!

I've seen your stuff online.........you're the man!!

You'll love TMC. Great company top to bottom. The training you will receive in Des Moines is top notch, as are the facilities. I finished my training up there about 3 weeks ago. I went out with a trainer for 2 weeks, and it didn't work out too well. He wanted me to be his bitch and do all his work for him, when he new good and well I was new and still needed training in certain areas. We had some major personality conflicts that couldn't be worked out. So now I'm sitting here waiting for a new trainer at the house. I can't wait to get back out there!

Cool, perhaps I wasn't given the choice since gas from NYC would have cost a small fortune.

Fred

We may have got him a rental because for some experienced guys in the past out of TX, we got them rentals because they all lived in the same area and were going on a dedicated route. So in that case, every driver lived in the same area and it cost less than bus tickets.

We are in the process of changing some of the things around in training (for the better) and one of the things we are looking at is getting rental cars for the trip out along with one back. obviously we wouldn't get 1 car per individual but would have to orchestrate guys picking one another up along the way. The only problem with some of that is what if the guy who is supposed to pick up the car doesn't end up coming, then we need a back up plan.

Rentals are way better than the grey dog, just a little bit harder to coordinate.