Feedback

Drivers need to be paid by the hour

With all the proposed changes in the hours of service, I don’t care what happens, as it will change or stay the same whether I like it or not. But maybe some changes should be made — which are long overdue — such as doing away with pay by the mile and start paying by the hour, such as $20-$25 per hour for a 14- to 15-hour day.

And also, maybe your dispatchers and load planners need to pay [hours-of-service violation] fines when you and I [go over] hours of service. After all, they are the ones pushing to make deliveries and pickups. Also, the shippers and receivers need to be able to ship or receive their freight 24 hours and not from 9-noon and 1-4 p.m.

As for detentions and layovers [we should be paid] after two hours at the dock. Layover [should] start at 5 p.m. even if a load is found for you, at the same rate of $20-$25 per hour.

I know these sound like dreams to all of us, but they will not change till all of us work together and stop letting these companies push us around.

Consider this, most of you are making what you did 10 years ago and are working harder than ever for the same pay.

Wake up, drivers.

Jonathan Moe

Lenoir City, Tenn.


SOUND OFF

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What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

VIA FACEBOOK


Work on my marriage, which I’ve started early. Quit smoking.

— William H. R.


To think of myself less and others more.

— Bettina B. C.


To work toward owning my own truck.

— Eric A.


Be a door-greeter at Walmart

— Kris C.


To lose 15 pounds.

— Elizebethe E.


To start putting my family and myself first. Boy, the company is not going to like it but after 17 years [of] putting them and their shippers and receivers first, what do I have to show for it? Nada.

— F. Scott D.


I hope that next year I obtain my first CDL and start a good career like others.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

— Steven B.


Be able make enough money to help homeless vets. It’s a shame they fought for our country and freedom and we can’t even shelter or feed them. I wish I could do more!

— Jeni G.


Finding a local driving job.

— Curtis M.


I did my New Year’s resolution early. I have not had a cigarette in two months, and [I’m] feeling good.

— Ryan H.


Make more money.

— Pamela H. E.


To keep trying to be a good dad for my two boys … and to see rates go up to pay us what we’re worth out here.

— Mike S.


They are [stay] out of trouble and don’t feed the bears!

— Santiago T.


Get out of trucking.

— Kris C.


Resolutions [are] made to be broken. I stopped making them when Jesus Christ found me broke, drunk and hating life.

— Charlie N.


Seeking trucker talent for TV

A television production company has a rather off-the-wall idea it’s helping one of the major cable channels develop — it wants to create a talent-competition-type series (a la “American Idol,” “Dancing With the Stars,” et al) that plays out on location at, well, a truckstop. In the spirit of radio truck driver talent hours and other such showcases, they want the crooners, musicians, comedians, dancers, jugglers, you name it, among the nation’s long- and short-haul public to be the stars. And the best part, should you end up being a part of it all: you’ll get paid pretty well, producers say.

They’re taking applications for drivers to be part of the competition as of now. Details follow and are in the flyer pictured: “SINGERS, RAPPERS, MUSICIANS, DANCERS, COMEDIANS, IMPERSONATORS, VENTRILOQUISTS, 
MAGICIANS, ACROBATS, JUGGLERS … ANYTHING! So long as you can perform your talent on a stage.”

“Send an email to: [email protected] and include your name and talent, how long you’ve been a trucker, a brief description of who you are and how you discovered your talent, a recent picture of yourself and a contact phone number.”

For more from Truckers News Senior Editor Todd Dills’ Channel 19 blog, visit https://www.overdriveonline.com/channel-19.


What do you think of the FMCSA ruling to ban handheld phone use while driving?

“It’s not safe — driving and talking. Use Bluetooth or a headset. So this is a good thing.”

—Samuel Juarez,

Weslaco, Texas,

company driver for Spirit of San Juan Truck Lines



“It’s good. A lot of accidents are caused by phones. They’re just distractions, and they need to be banned for everybody, including cars. People are losing lives over stupid stuff like texting.”

—Joe Beaty, Cookeville, Tenn.,

company driver for Averitt Express Inc.


“It’ll help us pay attention, but, most of the time, four-wheeler drivers are the ones that don’t pay attention, because of phones.”

—Will Hood,

Tucson, Ariz., company driver for Sheridan Logistics


“I like it. Talking on the phone while you’re driving is ridiculous, and you don’t need to do it.”

—Sintaoiehu Aoiele, Atlanta, Ga.,

owner-operator leased to Seada Transportation


Find trucker products at new online site

In addition to reading our new product-focused Gear Guide department of the magazine, which contains both recently released products as well as a special monthly themed section, visit our complementary online component at www.truckers news.com/gearguide. In addition to the latest offerings in multiple categories, the site allows you to search and compare similar products from many manufacturers.


Go for the goal

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Would you benefit from the support of drivers with similar goals? Visit http://www.Truckers4aGoal.com to try out Truckers News’ new site, where you can read daily health tips, discuss your goals, support others and more.

The Business Manual for Owner-Operators
Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the 2022 edition of Partners in Business.
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