My first job out of truck driving school,was union,and paid me by the computer which ever paid higher,miles or hours.I worked for a private carrier,we were on a 60 hour week,and got paid overtime after 8 hours on duty.Needless to say,I worked 15 hours a day,4 days a week,and made over $700 every week for just 4 days work.Back in 1977,700 bucks a week was big money,especially for 4 days work.As we all know,good things always come to and end.oh and union scale was 9.32 per hour and 23 cpm.
I worked for a company that paid me 29% of their gross.
I learned then it wasn't how far you drove,but how much you could make,yes and that's why I decided to be on a percentage contract.On percentage,we had no pay for dead head,down time,loading or unloading,but we could pick pur loads,where mile and hour drivers couldn't.
The truck I drove averaged !.20 all miles,loaded and empty,and my 29% was higher than scale for the miles and hour guys.
Knowing most trucking companies,they will pay their company drivers the cheapest way out,if your going to succeed you have to work at it. Just one other thing,if the load i was just offered doesn't cancel (happened twice already)takes me back to Ohio,and will give me an 8000 dollar week