Question:
Everywhere I look, reefer pay is so much lower than dry van. Central is low. Stevens is low. But, take a look at American Eagle or USA Truck, and their mileage rate is so much better.
Considering how much more live loading and frequent stops one makes as a reefer driver, why do they pay less? Do they offer more miles? Do they think you'll make up for the difference by doing your own lumping?
Stevens was expecting me to be out 5 weeks at a time. My trainer was making .27 a mile and he was with them 7 years.
What am I missing?

Answer:
Well, you mentioned 2 companies that are basically training companies, and they know that as soon as you get some reefer experience under your belt, then you'll go get a real job.
Don't think that you will do less live unloading, or fewer stops, with a dry van, it all depends on the operation. I pulled reefers for 15 years, now I pull a dry van. I had more drop and hooks pulling a reefer, now I own my own trailer and never drop and hook, I also pull as much LTL as I can with several stops.
Some drivers look at unloading their own trailers as a way to make extra money. That again depends on the driver, or type of operation.
You mentioned American Eagle, look at their parent company, "FFE", which is refrigerated and you will probably find that they pay about the same as American Eagle.
TEAMSTERS UNITE
Answer:
I pull both and they still pay me the same, and another thing.....I still can't figure out how to operate the reefer, even after 6 years now