1. My very first question is how the miles are calculated. If they don't pay accurate miles, there is no need to continue the conversation. Not only will they be shorting you on the miles,as a solo D unit, what happens is you'll be booked on a load that is just barely "doable", but once you accept the load and figure the actual miles, there is no way you can get it on the log book. You have to remember though, for the dispatcher, they booked you a legal load. Everything on paper looks legal and doable, so why are you not able to run the load? I personally just don't have the time or patience to deal with stupidity and that is exactly what I have determined short miles to be.
2. The next obvious question is about the pay scale. Is it percentage or flat rate. You need to know all of the specifics of each one. Flat rate carriers can pay a flat rate per loaded per mile plus fsc. At least flat rate carrier pays all dispatched miles plus fsc. There are a lot of different combinations and the newbie needs to learn and understand as much about each one of them as possible. I've found that most work out to about the same pay. I'm not sure if there is a way to get a good number for a percentage carrier. I'm told that percentage carriers, in general, pay better than flat rate carriers. The only way I've found to verify this is to talk to drivers for that specific carrier if they are willing to share their numbers. You have to be very, very careful that the drivers is giving you numbers that you understand though. Worst case scenario, a lot of drivers will quote run pay to the carrier (not what is actually paid to the driver). That number can be pretty impressive until you realize they only got a a percentage of it. Then you have drivers that are running for a carrier who pays short miles, but that number looks good. Once you calculate the actual miles, the numbers start to suffer.
You could write a book on this section alone.
3. Ask for names and phone numbers of at least 3 current and 3 past drivers. They may not be able to furnish this information, but if they do, it is nice. You just have to understand that their probably going to give you names that they consider to be safe.
4. You need to know what their policy is for load refusals and how the loads are offered (first in, first out, etc).
5. You need to get a detailed and all inclusive list of fees and costs associated with being leased to this carrier.
That should you started. All but #1 are just what I could think of at the moment. I would ask #1 with my hand wrapped around their throat if I could...lol. Do you get the idea that I don't like short miles?
