Why is nobody asking?

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Ok, we all know that times are tough, competition is rough, and when it comes to freight - there isn't enough! But - are the carriers who haven't raised drivers' pay for years, (sometimes many years), applying that philosophy to everyone in the organization, or just the drivers? If management. dispatch, and support personnell get raises, why don't we?
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
FedEx just gave the contractors a 2% raise. The next question is how much have they taken away by contracts on discounted loads?
 

wallytrucker1

Expert Expediter
I keep asking myself for a raise but at the end of the week there is not enough left to give it to me. I guess I could go back to working for someone else and I could ask them and they would probaly say "NO". At least this way I can yell and scream at the boss and not get into trouble:) :)
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Wally, I know a driver who not too long ago, discovered that she had fired herself, so it could always be worse, lol. But if you can't afford to give yourself a raise, why don't you raise your prices? It's what every other business does, when costs go up, no?
 

wallytrucker1

Expert Expediter
I always try and raise my rate each time an agent calls with a load offer i.e. negoiate. Sometimes I can, sometimes not. Normally if you don't like their offer, there may be someone else sitting nearby who will. Everyone has a different cost basis and what may be profitable for the next guy may not be for me. But if every load paid the same, what fun would that be...greg
 

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Cherri raises a very good point.One time Fedex dispatch was really working hard to get me to take a huge discounted load. I kept refusing,they started threatening dire consequences so I said" If you came to work tommorrow and your supervisor said, we wamt you to do the same job that you did yesterday but at half your normal hourly rate, What would you do"? She laughed and said" I would go back home".
So they want us to take financial hits but their pockets stay the same.
 

fastrod

Expert Expediter
That is what I do. Just increase your rates to cover your added expenses. Most companys will not object to a modest rate increase if you take the time to explain why you are doing it.
 

wallytrucker1

Expert Expediter
Iam sitting here trying to think of something to do with my buisness that didn't cost me more money this year versus last Blank...everything went up, yet overall my per mile stayed close to the same. I have enjoyed the business and quickly discovered that you would need to have multiple trucks if you wanted to go beyond "working for wages". I tried having multiple trucks and quickly discovered that wasn't for me. I made a terrible boss. I have decided "wages" are fine for me. I guess in my case if I want a raise I need to raise the number of miles per week I run:-( :-( :-( . I knew I wouldn't like the way this post was turning out:)
 

nobb4u

Expert Expediter
I am an O/O with FDCC and I see people talking about the reduced rates, but you know I still don’t care how much the load pays. I care how many miles I have to DH to the load and how many miles I might have to DH after the load to the next pickup then, I factor all the variables and my minimum rate is $1.50 for all miles from my last delivery to my next pickup and on to my next delivery.

And then (unless the load is going somewhere I want be) I stick to my rate.

Everyone is talking about the FSC, it all comes down to the bottom line, a big surcharge or a small one it is all the same me. As an O/O I know buying fuel is part of my expense and I have figured in my overall cost and $1.50 a mile for all miles makes me a nice profit. And as such I am averaging $2.13 for loaded miles and $1.46 for all miles.

I am sure there is a difference if you are a driver and I am not talking about people who drive for someone else, I am just addressing my requirements.
 

are12

Expert Expediter
Cheri,
I have often wondered that myself. I cannot understand how a company can expect us to stay at the same rate for years when the cost of living is going up each year. Do they really think that driver's can earn the same mile/hr, year after year and make a profit?
You know everyone else in the company is getting raises so why not us?
 

dieselphreak2K

Expert Expediter
Sadly, look at the trucking industry. Cost of living and fuel goes up, our wages do not. Yes, I know they climb a little, but check the past, it hasn't kept up.
 

Bruno

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
Well, I will stay that Roberts Express/ FedEx Custom Critical has gave the Fleet more money over the years. Back in 1995 when I started a full rate C load paid a $1.31 per mile to the truck and a full rate D load was $1.41 per mile and back then we got load offer's from the big 3 that wanted you to take d loads for .83 a mile. It seems that everyone is looking for that golden load evrytime. Will I take a load that only pays me $1.10 per mile for all miles, You bet I will if it gets me to where I can get a great paying full rate load.

I'm not saying I'm happy about the FSC program, but everything in the business is not perfect. Back then we didn't even get a FSC it was just a $1.31 per mile for a C-load. Over all FedEx is the Biggest company in this business and the leader in this business. Panther is not far behind and FedEx and it's going to be a Cat fight over the next few years. We all our the highes paid O/O in the trucking business. If you feel that we aren't go sign on with JB Hunt for .92 a mile for an 18 wheeler.
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
If you feel that we aren't go sign on
>with JB Hunt for .92 a mile for an 18 wheeler.

In other words: "If you don't like it, there's the door?"
Thank you Bruno, for reminding me of how much I enjoy not being married anymore! If I don't like it, I will speak up, with logic and civillity, and I will listen to those who can disagree with the same courtesy.
 

Paul56

Seasoned Expediter
> Ok, we all know that times are tough, competition is
>rough, and when it comes to freight - there isn't enough!
>But - are the carriers who haven't raised drivers' pay for
>years, (sometimes many years), applying that philosophy to
>everyone in the organization, or just the drivers? If
>management. dispatch, and support personnell get raises, why
>don't we?

The true independence and financial rewards do not come by partnering with a company, but rather striking out on your own and establishing a direct relationship with your customers and developing your own niche.

Initially it can be very risky to do so but the rewards are there for those who take the risk, do the hard work and are successful with it.

So if you really want a raise, are willing to gamble to get it and have experience... go your own way.

Many feel secure partnering with a company hoping they will "take care of them". There really is no security in that and you do need to take care of yourself... no one else is going to look out for you.
 

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
Well for you live or die independents,Ive done it both ways,and my bottom line is much better leasing to where I am.I'm not going to quote figures,but I make more money in far less miles,and when I was completely independent,you could get away with alot more as an out law,wouldnt even want to try it now.
 

Bruno

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
> If you feel that we aren't go sign on
>>with JB Hunt for .92 a mile for an 18 wheeler.
>
> In other words: "If you don't like it, there's the door?"
>Thank you Bruno, for reminding me of how much I enjoy not
>being married anymore! If I don't like it, I will speak up,
>with logic and civillity, and I will listen to those who can
>disagree with the same courtesy.


Cheril

I wasn't trying to insult you at all in any way and I'm sorry you took it that way. All I was trying to say is that some compaines have increased their rates over the years which means more money in our pockets. I agree with what your saying that drivers and owners need to get a pay increase too. My post was not towards any of your posts and I'm sorry you took it that way.

I hope you can understand I'm very sorry you took things the wrong way.


:)
 

Rollo

Seasoned Expediter
> If you feel that we aren't go sign on
>>with JB Hunt for .92 a mile for an 18 wheeler.
>
> In other words: "If you don't like it, there's the door?"
>Thank you Bruno, for reminding me of how much I enjoy not
>being married anymore! If I don't like it, I will speak up,
>with logic and civillity, and I will listen to those who can
>disagree with the same courtesy.


I have often wondered why this question is not discussed more on these posts. Thanks Cheri, again for bringing up the subject. "Logic and civility" don't get much respect here. As long as it is as easy to get into this business as it has been up to now, we will always be fighting for equitable "settlements" for professional efforts. If we can find a way to make the business of expediting more professional, it should follow that "reason, logic and civility" should prevail, if not entirely at least at those elements of the industry that want to protect their investments.

I continually see drivers leaving Chicago with overloaded conversion vans and employing "illegal immigrant brother's-in-law" as drivers. What does this mean for me? Knowing my costs are higher and my standards of "professionalism" are also helps the refusal of cheap loads and rediculous and unsafe trips that are offered. But as long as the industry allows these elements easy entry, we will be plagued with below cost offers and high refusal rates. My own disappointment has to do with being terminated for high refusal rates. I can't accept a load that I cannot meet the time element safely and lower my wages at the same time. Two carriers ago, I left voluntarily because I was not offered good paying trips in favor of a known "pot-head" with two DUI's (with controlled substances on board) in the last year! I never looked back and don't burn bridges, but when I asked management about "pay-off's" going to dispatchers they slammed the phone down on me!

Your question for another thread should be "how can we raise the professionalism of this industry?"
 
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