Dead Head...paid Or Unpaid?

So I am getting ready to start training in a couple of weeks, and I have been reading a lot of forum entries to get and Idea of what I'm getting into. I see many comments about "Dead Head" runs, varying lengths, and etc. What I haven't seen is whether or not truckers get paid for these dead head miles. I know there is a good chance that this topic has been discussed before, but I haven't seen it. I also understand that many different carriers have many different policies, so I am just asking from and industry point of view, or "what most companies do."

Thanks

Deadhead mileage simply means you're running empty, normally because you're heading to the next shipper to pick up another load. All company drivers get paid deadhead miles. Often times owner operators or lease drivers may not get paid deadhead miles, it just depends on the contract they've signed. But as a company driver you'll get paid.

There is also detention pay which is paid for the time you're sitting around waiting to be loaded or unloaded at a customer. Most companies have detention pay policies but they also fight tooth and nail not to give it to you most of the time. They don't like paying people for doing nothing, basically. So it can be like pulling teeth to get it. Personally I never cared about it. It doesn't amount to a hill of beans anyhow and it isn't worth getting all worked up over. So I'm sitting around surfing the web, reading a book, or taking a nap for a few hours while I'm waiting to get loaded. I didn't mind. And besides, I just wasn't the type to pursue a payment for napping. I was paid to turn miles and I knew the company would keep me rolling the best they could so things would work out well in the end anyhow.

So you might hear people fussing about not getting detention pay but getting paid deadhead miles is normally never a concern. They'll pay those.

Ok, thanks Brett. I'm studying the High Road Training Program, but every once in a while I start diggin' around in the forums. There is some awesome info there.