I have been away from this forum for several years and really not been following what has been going on in trucking much at all, but I see the same crap still going on and drivers just talking like it is the status quo, to just accept it.
I still see:
- companies paying 36cpm while most are now talking about 40 for starting pay (slight improvement)
- shorting drivers on miles by using HHG to figure mileage while they themselves figure their rate by PC miler
- people driving on percentage without demanding to see the rate sheet to know what they are getting a percentage of
- still working 2 weeks for 8-10 days worth of work
- driving for free to get the truck to service or other reasons
- not pushing for their detention pay they are legally entitled to
- asked to pay deposits or accept some pay to go into 'escrow' for the event of damage to goods or equipment
I am sure i will remember more and more and will add to this list what others comment. Drivers just plain need to put their foot down and insist on stuff. Just do not go to work for ****ty outfits and they will have to change their tune. Any driver with 2 years experience and a relatively clean record is worth gold.
It has been my policy to require $1000 net pay for 5 days and i reset at the house for many years. IDC what the company does with that time, If I am an employee and asked to work 70 hours, I will be paid for 70 hours. I have been able to consistently do 2500-3500 miles/wk in a 65mph truck dropping and hooking with an average 2h/day daily waiting on a trailer. I know it can be done to properly dispatch drivers where they can keep moving, but i know it requires more effort and sometimes to turn down a load that wastes time.
If more drivers simply grew a pair and practiced the work 'NO' we would be in a whole lot better position as drivers. Too many drivers accept too much bull and too little pay. Some of these companies get away with breaking the law outright because drivers are not reporting them.