Detention Pay

by Kevin Hopson
(Conyers, GA)

I ask for and charge $90/hour. This rate is based from this calculation: 60 miles per hour average x $1.50 per mile. I seldom get paid that rate for detention. 98% of my loads are broker loads. Most brokers pay between $25-$50/hour. I give two hours free at the shipper, and two hours free at the receiver. Based on a 24 hour day, that formula leaves one hour of unaccountable time. I base these times on the following formula. 24 hour day, 11 hours legal driving time, 10 hours mandated sleeper berth time, 3 hours left for loading and unloading. That really doesn't leave time for on duty not driving requirements, such as pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and fueling the truck.

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Response from Vicki:

Hi, Kevin.

Thank you for your input, which you may have submitted in response to this page on our site: Drivers Delayed and Detained at the Docks Should Be Paid for Waiting Time.

From the $1.50 per mile rate you earn, it is obvious that you are an owner-operator -- so we really appreciate your input. All of Mike's and my experience has been as company drivers.

I was really surprised to see that you charge $90 per hour for detention pay, but I can see based on your calculation why you do. Mike's most recent OTR trucking company also had a policy that the first two hours at a shipper or receiver when there was a firm appointment was on the driver. After that, the wait time pay (or detention pay) was $10 per hour. We thought that was pretty good until we saw that you wrote most brokers pay between $25-$50 per hour. The difference could be that many loads obtained by companies are generated internally and don't go through a broker. Still, it makes us wonder if trucking companies are skimming a little off the top for themselves. Hmmm...

As CSA 2010 takes effect and there will be more pressure on shippers and receivers to get drivers in and out more quickly -- and if a new Hours of Service proposal goes into effect that reduces the number of hours a driver can drive each day -- I think that there may be a move toward increasing the hourly detention pay rate.

Drivers, whether you're a company driver or owner-operator, what do you think? To submit your feedback on this topic, visit our Employee Benefits and Bonuses page.

We wish you safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road!

Best regards,
Vicki Simons

http://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/