You may have guessed. I’m losing potential money. Why? Cause my employer has their own pocket book in mind. UGH. Let me explain.
So, I drive a truck. Since fuel, specifically diesel, prices were so high in 2008, my employer made it a requirement that each company truck get a certain mile per gallon(MPG). The requirement at the time was 6.0 MPG. That’s easy to obtain in their fleet. Most trucks are getting well above that. As drivers, we get a bonus to every 1/10th of a mpg. That can make a nice little difference in a check, especially when trucks are getting upwards of 7 or 8 mpg. Well, they raised it to 6.25 mpg at the time. Around May, they raised it to 6.5 mpg. As of yesterday, they raised it yet again to 6.75 mpg. Fuck.
I drive an ’08 Freightliner Century Class with a Detroit 60 Series w/ Eaton-Fuller 10spd tranny. I’m not sure the rating and what not, but the truck is geared and powered for MPG at cruising speed, which is a whopping 60 mph. On an average 2300 miles week, Saturday to Saturday, I can pull an average 7.4-7.6 mpg. All summer my bonuses were pretty good. Now I think they are gonna start sucking. On top of that, employer wants me to run at 52-55 mph. The speed limit in most states is 65, 70, & 75, with the exception of California and Illinois, where trucks it is 55 mph. How much slower am I driving compared to others? Lucky I havent been fuckin rear ended.
They are taking my money away so they can save money on fuel, which I dont pay for. In my mind they are skimping me on my fuel bonus and saving themselves a lot of money on fuel and the bonus. Where’s my incentive to slow down and boost my mileage? Oh, my job. Cause If I dont slow down and keep my MPG up, they will fire me. Oh yes, they said their gonna boost it to 7 MPG probably by 2010. Can I have any more stress please?