Evaluating the Trucking Company That Wants to Hire You

No: 2 in a series: Income potential ? beyond mile pay

Many drivers focus on mileage rates when comparing their earning power but drivers for carriers with top bonus plans liberal accessorial pay and other earning opportunities can add to their mileage income by 20% or more.

Leon Palmer vice president of operations for Roehl Transport said their company considers earnings beyond mileage pay as an important part of its top 10 ranked driver compensation package. ?A driver has to remember small differences in things like accessorial pay can add up over the course of a year to significant money? Palmer said.

Is that bonus bogus?

Performance and safety bonuses can add a lot to your income but it?s an area where some companies play games Palmer said. The question to ask is: are the bonuses realistically achievable? Will the company offer you enough miles during the year that you can reach the mileage threshold for a performance bonus for example? What percentage of its current drivers earn the bonus in the fleet you?re considering? (Over 70% of Roehl drivers earn the company?s safety and performance bonuses.)

$6 here $15 there add up

Accessorial pay can vary widely from company to company — not just how much but which non-driving duties a company pays for Palmer advised. ?In addition to the typical paid services for example Roehl pays drivers for intermediate stops second loads short hauls and Canadian border crossings. It also offers tarp/untarp pay for flatbed and detention pay after two hours and holiday pay? he said.

Easy extra income

Then look at opportunities for extra income Palmer said. Is becoming a driver trainer an option available to you or are there barriers such as seniority? And does it pay well? (Roehl driver trainers can add $10000 or more to their W2.) Will the company pay you for referring new drivers to it?

Find out more about comparing bonuses and ?other? compensation on the ?Evaluation Tips? section at www.GoRoehl.com and watch for No. 3 in the Evaluating Trucking Companies series: Home time.

Known as the Take Home More Be Home More carrier? Roehl Transport provides drivers a total compensation package consistently listed by independent surveys as one of the 10 best driver pay packages in the nation. For more information call: 800-GO-ROEHL or visit www.GoRoehl.com