JOPLIN, Mo. – October 04, 2012: Con-Way Truckload recently announced that the company is instituting a $.01-per-mile increase in mileage pay, applicable to both company drivers and owner-operators. The company also is changing the standard for unpaid wait time when drivers are detained at customer loading docks. This “wait time” before detention pay is earned has been reduced from three hours to two.
“Con-way Truckload has always prided itself on providing a competitive pay package that’s among the best in the industry, and responding to the input and concerns of our drivers,” said Saul Gonzalez, the company’s president. “Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to both of these objectives. Our drivers are the heart of our service performance.”
When combined with Con-way Truckload’s long length-of-hauls, predictable miles and other driver incentives and benefits, the pay upgrades announced today position the company with one of the industry’s most attractive driver compensation programs.
Read more about truck driver salaries and financial tips for truckers at CDL Life
Gonzalez noted that Con-way Truckload emphasizes premium service, managing its network operations and 2,800-truck fleet for maximum availability to customers and maximum miles for drivers, while working against strict standards for on-time pick-up and delivery.
Effectively managing that balance—keeping drivers on the road and having trucks available where and when customers need capacity—is influenced as well by shippers and their ability to load and unload trucks in a timely manner. Loading and unloading a full-truckload shipment typically averages two hours, yet drivers are often detained at shippers’ docks for longer periods of time. Excessive “detention” time reduces driver compensation and can create on-the-job frustration. It also makes it that much more difficult to keep trucks on schedule with the often tight service windows that today’s high-velocity supply chains demand. “Ultimately, excessive detention is waste that costs the shipper more in transportation expense,” Gonzales noted.
He added that excessive detention was the number one concern aired by drivers in recent discussion forums. That feedback led to the company’s decision to decrease wait time for detention pay from three hours to two hours. “We have had very positive feedback and we’re pleased to be able to make this change to improve driver compensation, and reward their commitment to excellent customer service,” he said.
Read more about recent developments at Con-Way Truckload.