Question:
Just wondering which is the best way to go. I am new and am not sure what they (Sharky) would pay. I do know that when starting as a new driver they pay 22%. I have no idea what they charge their customers to figure out what kind of pay to expect. Any help would be appreciated. To maybe make it more clear, I just want to know if anyone on the forum has driven for both milage pay, and parcentage, and which they prefered.
Peace.
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

Answer:
Personally, I Like MILEAGE Better.
***The Following is Based on MY Experiences as a Company Drvr Only.***(I've Never been an O/O, so I do Not know how O/O percentages work.)
Because of "the way I run", I usually do better with Mileage than percentage.
With percentage, you need to make sure that your carrier hauls High-Dollar Freight.(b/c 22% of zero, is zero.)
Make sure that the carrier is paying you the percentage of GROSS & NOT AFTER they take out for this-n-that.(this is known as "Skimming off the Top" & some Brokers are Known for doing That.)
With MILEAGE, I could Calculate & count on a SURE paycheck amount.(I got paid the Same CPM if I was loaded or empty.)
***With percentage, most carriers do NOT Pay for empty miles,a.k.a... D/H(deadhead)or bobtail miles.***
If they do pay for d/h miles, it's usually LESS than the loaded pay.
Since you Must Log All Miles Drvn...Why drv miles that you are NOT getting paid for?
I realize that carriers that pay mileage usually Rip Off Drvrs anywhere from 5%-20%, but at least the Drvrs will get Something.
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Bottom line is.....
If your carrier hauls Good Paying, High-Dollar Freight & if the carrier pays for Empty miles, then you Might stand a chance of doing okay.

Answer:
I now make milage running otr and would not want it any other way. When I hauled fuel local % was great because we only drove about 60-100 miles a day. Delivered 3-6 loads so perc was the thing. I huess it is how you are going to run. Local or OTR.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Your replies are appreciated. It gives me a few more things to consider. Thanks again.
Peace.
"Get busy living or get busy dying."-Shawshank Redemption

Answer:
Another thing......working for percentage as a company driver.
A company I used to be leased to paid their company drivers by percentage. The outbound loads paid decent, but they'd book inbound loads for whatever they could, even if it meant .60 cpm.
22% of 60 cents ain't what I'd call "pay". Add getting shorted by 3-10% on the mileage you drive vs. what mileage program they pay off of, forget it.
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
I am currently working on percentage. Overall it isn't bad, but there are a few things I disagree with.
I get 25% of the load after all the little incedentals such as tolls, scales, etc. I try to keep everything low as far as what I pay out because it has an effect on my final pay. I am brand new at this, and not sure if this is normal.
Give me mileage any day, but realize that you'll get 3-10% different like Hoss said.

Answer:
"after all the little incedentals such as tolls, scales, etc"
I've run percentage for a couple companies. That is not the norm. The only thing that ever took away from my percentage was lumpers. Usually even they were paid by the broker so it didn't cost me. Tolls and the rest are the companies problem in my book, not mine.
"There is just something about fresh winter snow and a river. The day is bright even if it is cloudy, the water is friendly even if it is cold and the fish are there even if they are not biting."
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Team Driver Division

Answer:
Because I run locally, (100 miles or less), I prefer percentage. What I make in percentage, I would have to get an average of $0.51 to $0.91 cpm for all runs.
90% of my runs are paid both ways the same percentage, which comes out to $0.65cpm. While it's not the top pay, it's not the bottom pay, and it's very consistant and I don't have to be gone for 12-14 hrs a day, 5 or 6 days a week.

Answer:
You would be better off being paid by the hour if you are running less than a 100 mi. radius. I ran on %age hauling chemicals OTR and it figured out at the time from .29/mi to .38/mi. loaded/empty. I always figure in both empty/loaded miles in the final amount. Tolls are never considered. Not your expense at all. I still like being paid by the mile. If you have the right dispatch system %age isn't bad but if they deadhead you too much it will cost you too much. I left that co. because they were putting on more co. trucks and giving them the best loads and giving o/o's and fleet owners what was left over.
Better to have it and not need it as need it and not have it!Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
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