Are you running flat rate per mile or a % of load pay?
When we ran flat rate we tried to stay at 20% but we will deadhead 95% if the load pays good enough.
I have been keeping track of mine and I am at about 40% since December of 2006. Be thankful if yours is that low. Mine will lower and when I have to go too far I will get reimbursed for it. As others will tell you, you have to see what you will make per mile, whether you are paid per load or per mile.
In discussions like this you need to keep in mind there are two kinds of DH. Company directed DH,and everything else. IE: Going Home,relocating,repairs etc.
This would account for one driver reporting 7% and another 40%.
turtle it is good to know I'm not getting killed on the DH miles.
redytrk that was all DH if they say do you I say I do worked with my wife should work here, but I will drive 50 miles to take a shower.
Thanks guys
Therein lies some of your DH problem. Probably, the DH for the shower will turn into 100 miles, because, your next PU may very well be where you were to start. Nature of the beast. Been my experience with folks, is that they shoot themselves, causing a lot of unnecessary DH.
For the shower thingy, I try to shower mid morning or late night so there are no shower line, in and out in about twenty minutes. I also try to grab a shower on the way to the delivery. That way I am "fresh" when done with the load.
x06colo you were right they called had a job back up the road but it did not work out so I am still here, but I am clean and looking good and it is better to look good than fell good because if you feel bad you will get better but if you look bad no hope.
I'd rather invest a few miles in a shower than go through life in a foul haze. It's bad enough being an old chubby guy as it is. I don't need to broadcast my presence by aroma therapy.
Vans tend to deadhead a lot more than the bigger trucks anyway. This year seems to be the poorest example of this fact. I have definately learned which areas to avoid with my current company. The problem with this is the cost in deadhead miles in the learning process. I would be ashamed to admit the percentage for the past year.
Precisely my point Maybe. If you are happy with your clean feeling, and didn't take advantage of a 30 minute break enroute to shower, help yourself to the DH. No problem. My point here is.. many will DH 50 for a shower and have no problem with that, but, ask them to DH 50 miles for work, and it's an issue. Many, many non paid miles can be avoided with some planning, and time management.