The Wife Of A New Trucker

Hi everyone

Thank you so much for all your replies. So, Jason t from LI went through the orientation. Passed the written test with a 96 and the driving test with a 98. Now he’s waiting for his start up package email.

I’m not sure what you call it, but he will not be driving a flatbed. He does have to still go out with the trainer for 70hrs of OTR. After that he will be on salary guaranteed $1,500 a week.

Here on Long Island NY we do see Western Express drivers. He’s not sure if he’ll be regional or OTR. They did ask his if he would be interested in signing on for 3 months or more. He agrees and tomorrow he has to sign a contract to that effect.

As for the hotel. He moved to another hotel called Extended Stay INN. Much nicer place and clean. He’s paying for his own room.

My question is, if he’s on salary, isn’t that regional since they’re not paying him $0.55 a mile or whatever it is?

He wanted me to tell you all thus far Western Express has lived up to all the things they promised. He said the hardest thing so far he had to retake the DOT physical since NY screwed up his records.

Since Jason drove to PA (only 2hrs from our home) they’re going to make arrangements for him to bring his personal truck home.

Is that $1500/week flat pay or can he exceed that amount with more miles? I've never heard of a flat rate unless he travels only up to a certain amount of miles per week and no more for regional and OTR drivers. Daycab/home daily drivers may get a flat rate.

There are a lot of other factors that can impact what a driver is paid. Detention pay, break down pay, etc.

Not implying what you're saying is incorrect, just curious.

Stage whisper:

Some new drivers never "get" the OTR trucking business and come to their own (wrong) conclusions. Then they feel screwed because things didn't go the way they thought they would.

Sabrina, you are not one of these, you heard something about $1,500/week but I think, as does B Y, you may not have the whole story.

There has to be more, please follow up. The question B Y has is this isn't all, for sure.

Often a company with employees paid on output (piece work, and trucking is piecework, you're paid by the mile.) will guarantee their employees a minimum wage, and good for them if that "output" exceeds the minimum.

I believe this is what B Y is asking you.

My question is, if he’s on salary, isn’t that regional since they’re not paying him $0.55 a mile or whatever it is?

Hey Sabrina! Trucking has so many confusing terms. Things like "dedicated" and "regional" are thrown around so much it's hard for new folks to understand how it all works. Then there's a lot of confusion about the pay. We hear words like "mileage" and "performance based," or even "hourly." It can be very confusing.

I don't want you to be confused into thinking your man is getting a "salary." That's one word you won't hear when it comes to a truck driver's pay. What he's getting is what Western Express is guaranteeing him as his "minimum weekly pay."

What that means is they are going to pay him "mileage" pay, but they guarantee him to get the minimum pay of $1,500.00. If for some reason they don't keep him busy enough to earn that much, they will make up the difference on his paycheck. They know this account well enough to know they can keep him running hard enough to earn that much.

It also means he better be doing a great job or he won't be on that account for long. They will not allow him to waste any time or not be highly productive. They fully expect him to do what it takes to earn that much. If it's their fault he has a bad week, they will cover it. If it's his fault they will be asking questions and expecting better results quickly.

That's what he's getting into. Don't fool yourself into thinking he's getting a salary. He's getting a job where he is going to have to really hustle and earn that 1,500. If he can't keep up the pace he will not stay on that account for long.

It's a great opportunity, but it's no luxury position. It will be a daily challenge. He can earn some good money like that, but just remember he's not getting paid when he's on home time. He has to work work work to earn that money.

I wish you two the best!

It is rare but I actually get paid... sort of... a flat rate. BARR-NUNN has shift+load pay positions for NE regional drivers. I get paid a flat rate for every day I'm on duty plus $90 for every load/repower I complete. There are many days I drive under 200 miles and/or spend less than 8hrs on duty. I still get paid the same as if I drove 600 miles. Every once in awhile I'll get more than 5 loads for the week. For the most part though its 1 load per day.

Barr-Nunn wants drivers with 18+ months experience. It is something your husband can consider in the future.

As mentioned before, more options become available as a driver gains safe driving experience.

Hey Sabrina! Trucking has so many confusing terms. Things like "dedicated" and "regional" are thrown around so much it's hard for new folks to understand how it all works. Then there's a lot of confusion about the pay. We hear words like "mileage" and "performance based," or even "hourly." It can be very confusing.

I don't want you to be confused into thinking your man is getting a "salary." That's one word you won't hear when it comes to a truck driver's pay. What he's getting is what Western Express is guaranteeing him as his "minimum weekly pay."

What that means is they are going to pay him "mileage" pay, but they guarantee him to get the minimum pay of $1,500.00. If for some reason they don't keep him busy enough to earn that much, they will make up the difference on his paycheck. They know this account well enough to know they can keep him running hard enough to earn that much.

It also means he better be doing a great job or he won't be on that account for long. They will not allow him to waste any time or not be highly productive. They fully expect him to do what it takes to earn that much. If it's their fault he has a bad week, they will cover it. If it's his fault they will be asking questions and expecting better results quickly.

That's what he's getting into. Don't fool yourself into thinking he's getting a salary. He's getting a job where he is going to have to really hustle and earn that 1,500. If he can't keep up the pace he will not stay on that account for long.

It's a great opportunity, but it's no luxury position. It will be a daily challenge. He can earn some good money like that, but just remember he's not getting paid when he's on home time. He has to work work work to earn that money.

Hi Old School

Jason speaks highly about you. You worked for Western Express. I have so many questions. Jason said he signed some kind of contract the he had to work for the company three months. Why would they offer him a contract like that? He did say he would be a day cab driver. Aren’t day cab drivers regional? Would he be driving all over Long Island or stay within the tri-state area? He told me they guarantee him $2,500 a week. They didn’t say anything to him about mileage. They told him flatbeds and lease drivers get paid mileage. He also said he gets paid training pay since he’s out with a trainer.

Indeed states Western Express is out of Brentwood NY, that’s 20 minutes from our hours. Could that be the terminal he would be going out of, Do day cab drivers come home every night? I’m very confused.

Sabrina, usually daycab drivers are home every night (or day if they drive night shift). Occasionally, a company will keep a day cab driver out longer but will put him up in a motel at the end of his shift.

Be patient. Your confusion will clear up as things unfold for you two.

$1,500 a week, sounded good for beginner, but now, you say they told him $2,500? wow seems like a lot just starting out, having ZERO experience to me. IF it's true then GREAT for him/you ! Like mentioned, you will "SEE" once hubby's out there actually, "DOING" it lol GOOOOOD LUCK ! Maybe because it's the north east regional on and around Long Island (higher cost of living)

Jason said he signed some kind of contract the he had to work for the company three months. Why would they offer him a contract like that?

For the very reasons I mentioned earlier. They need him to perform at a certain level so that he's actually earning that $1,500.00 paycheck. They know during the first few weeks he's not going to be getting enough done to satisfy their needs. They need him to stay on and become highly productive.

A lot (upwards of 90%) of new drivers quit their first driving job within 90 days. This job has a huge learning curve, and they've probably had a lot of drivers quit early on. That is making Western Express hemorrhage money unnecessarily. The contract is to bind the driver to some sort of commitment.

A daycare job will probably not be measured by miles, but the number of loads completed daily. His pay is probably calculated by the load. The contract keeps him on board until he can figure out how to be productive enough to meet their needs.

It sounds like he will be home daily, but be aware he will only get about ten hours off. His work days will be long. I suspect 14 to 16 hours. That That means he will need most of that time off for sleeping. Those hours may be erratic too - meaning not necessarily at the same time every day.

It's a great opportunity. That contract helps to keep him on board until he figures out how to manage it properly.

I'm trying to help you set some legitimate expectations. You sound quite anxious. He will have to adjust to this, as well as you. Do it together and it will make life better for both of you. Congratulations on the new job!