| Reasons why large trucking companies make you sit... | | | | power units as possible into these areas. |
| As a new company driver, it may well come as a | | | | When a truck driver sits, the driver is not being paid, |
| shock how little money you will earn the first year. | | | | so it is a small loss when this happens. Even with "idle |
| Many new truck drivers, seduced by the "pitch" of | | | | hours" added in, the cost of running you out of the |
| making $50,000 a year with no college degree, will | | | | prime freight areas will be substantially more. |
| eagerly enter the industry. Many of these new | | | | This can greatly affect deep southern and western |
| drivers will leave young families and loved ones all for | | | | based drivers, as loads running in these directions are |
| the hope of "big paychecks" and job security. | | | | in higher demand, and can pay much less. |
| Trucking company recruiters are paid very well for | | | | Allowing a driver to sit for a day or two, especially |
| only having to get you "in the door" for orientation, | | | | on long deliveries over the weekend, is more cost |
| sometimes as much as a thousand dollars a "head". | | | | efficient for the company. This is because, if you |
| Because of this many will "stretch" the truth as to | | | | drop the load, it will need to be "repowered", resulting |
| what you will be getting into, and the kind of money | | | | in additional logistics costs. |
| you will earn. | | | | As a new driver, expect to run some of the |
| Once in orientation, the managers there will say "if | | | | toughest areas. This will be places such as the New |
| your not rolling, we're not making any money". While | | | | York/New Jersey/New England areas, Washington |
| this is true, the reality is a little more complicated. | | | | DC, and Chicago inner city. freight running into these |
| Since fuel is the largest expense for any trucking | | | | areas is plentiful. However, freight running back out |
| company, they cannot afford to run freight that will | | | | may be harder to find. |
| not cover their operating costs. Deadhead miles also | | | | According to trucking company research, drivers tend |
| are a consideration, because whenever you roll | | | | to quit more when routed near or through their |
| empty, no profit is being generated. | | | | homes. This usually applies to rookie drivers who |
| Some parts of the country command much higher | | | | have not yet become accustomed to the rigorous |
| freight rates, because of this, you may find yourself | | | | lifestyle. Because of this, some will run you far from |
| primarily in the Midwest and northeast. Regardless of | | | | your home and keep you away for the entire tour. |
| where you may live, many companies will run you to | | | | In closing, I hope they don't keep you sitting too |
| these areas in order to maximize freight "coverage" | | | | long. Remember, if that job just isn't working out, |
| there. | | | | pack your gear and move on. It's all about the |
| For most of the large trucking companies, their most | | | | money in this business, and if your not making it, |
| profitable loads will be in the north and northeast. | | | | safely and legally, go where the money is! |
| Because of this, they will consistently move as many | | | | Have a great ride! |