Frequently Asked Questions

Owner operators (mileage pay program)

Question 1: Will I be paid the same for all miles, empty and loaded? What about accessorial charges?
Answer: Yes, you will be paid the same for all dispatched miles, empty and loaded. You will receive $1.05 cents per mile for all dispatched miles run, based on PC-Miler shortest miles. Accessorial charges are as follows:
Tarp pay: $15
Stop-off pay: $40
Detention pay: 75% of any detention charges collected will be paid to you.
Over-dimensional charges: An extra eight cents per mile will be paid to you for all over dimensional charges billed.
Minimum charge: You will receive a minimum of $200 for each load hauled, regardless of length of travel, inclusive of all accessorial charges.
Fuel-Surcharge: You will receive 100% of the fuel-surcharge that is billed to the customer.

Question 2: Will I be home on weekends?
Answer: We make it a priority to get you home on the weekend, if you wish to return home. We know how important family is and we treat your home time accordingly. Our owner-operators are home virtually all weekends.

Question 3: Are there trailer rental charges?
Answer: No, there are no charges for trailer rental.

Question 4: Does L.J. Kennedy require me to utilize a Qualcomm mobile satellite system?
Answer: Yes. The service charge to utilize a Qualcomm unit is only $15 per week. (In cab e-mail is available to you, but this service is not mandatory). We supply and install the Qualcomm unit.

Question 5: Do you offer a rider program?
Answer: Not at this time.

Question 6: Where will I run?
Answer: You will run primarily in the Midwest and East, with some exceptions. We do not serve Canada, at this time.

Question 7: Will L.J. Kennedy pay for my base plates and permits?
Answer: We will pay for your IFTA sticker and NY HUT sticker. We will pay for your base plate if you run at least 100,000 preventable-accident free miles in a year. (The payment will be made for renewal of your plates, after running 100,000 accident free miles in the previous year, and you must be under an active lease with L.J. Kennedy to take advantage of this bonus).

Question 8: Will L.J. Kennedy pay for my cargo and liability insurance?
Answer: Yes, we will pay for your cargo and liability insurance---you must provide unladen insurance.(There is a $2500 deductible for accidents and freight-claims that are ruled to be preventable by our Safety department). Workers compensation will be deducted from your settlement, if you do not provide your own workers compensation insurance. (Occupational disability insurance is not acceptable). Insurance must meet company specifications. The current deduction for workers compensation coverage is approximately 4% of the gross settlement.

Question 9: How many miles a week will I average?
Answer: Our owner-operators average 2500 miles per week. Weather, driver productivity and time-management, as well as business conditions, will affect the total miles run.

Question 10: Is flatbed experience required?
Answer: Yes. We require that you have at least six months of verifiable flatbed experience and at least one-year of experience as an owner-operator.

Question 11: Do you provide owner-operators with advances or terminal pay?
Answer: Advances are issued on your Comdata card, after the load you are hauling is picked-up. (There is a $300 limit per week and $50 per day, excluding emergency repairs, which are limited to your escrow deposit).

Question 12: Will I be assigned a dispatcher? Does L.J. Kennedy offer 24-hour dispatch support?
Answer: A team of driver-managers at your home terminal will dispatch you. We do offer 24-hour dispatch support, which includes road-services, so you are never alone when leased to L.J. Kennedy.

Question 13: Does L.J. Kennedy provide me with a fuel-card? Toll-cards and transponders? Pre-Pass?
Answer: Yes, you will receive an Comdata card to use for discounted fuel purchases at all Travel Centers of America and Pilot Travel Centers. You are permitted to buy fuel wherever the Comdata card is accepted, but you will pay generally higher fuel and transaction charges outside of the two truck stop chains previously mentioned. A Comdata card is assigned to you after you have been leased to L.J. Kennedy for 30 days. (Our size allows us to obtain heavily discounted fuel prices). Fuel can also be purchased at our terminals, at very competitive prices.Pre-Pass transponders allow you to minimize your downtime at many time-consuming weigh-stations. Tolls will be reimbursed, with the authorization of your dispatcher , and submission of appropriate receipts.

Question 14: Will I receive a detailed weekly settlement? Does L.J. Kennedy offer direct-deposit?
Answer: Yes, to both questions. Funds are automatically transferred each Friday morning to your bank or checking account, automatically, unless you don't wish to take advantage of our direct-deposit option. Signed bills-of-lading must be in our billing departments hands by each Monday, to assure prompt payment to you. Additionally, we utilize the services of TRIPPAK, and there is no chargeback for the use of TRIPPAK.

Question 15: What are your tractor requirements?
Answer: Your tractor weight must be less than 21,000#s. A 1997 or newer tractor is required, and a sleeper-berth is mandatory. (The tractor must pass an FHWA inspection). You need not purchase tarps, or chains and binders.

Question 16: Will L.J. Kennedy pay my IFTA taxes?
Answer: Yes, if you provide the required fuel-receipts you will not be charged back for fuel-taxes. We will pay for your IFTA and NY HUT stickers, as well.

Question 17: Can I purchase parts at a discount?
Answer: Yes, after you have been leased to Kennedy for ninety days you are eligible for parts purchases at a discount. Emergency repairs and tires are available at below-market prices, up to the limits of your escrow deposit.

Question 18: Are there other advantages to working for L.J. Kennedy?
Answer: yes!
• Referral bonus plan
• 99% of our freight is “no Touch” -- tarping and untarping are required, however.
• We are financially solid and have been in business since 1947
• Most shipments are pre-loaded and pre-tarped
• FHWA inspections are made by our maintenance crew, at no charge, on a bi-annual basis.
• We provide the tarps and straps to protect and secure all loads.

Question 19: Is an escrow account required?
Answer: Yes. We require you to authorize deductions of $75 per week until you have accumulated $2500 in a non-interest bearing escrow account.

Thanks for your interest in joining our team -- we’re looking forward to working together. Come find out why our Owner/ Operator turnover rate is just 8%.

The information contained in this website is posted by L.J. Kennedy Trucking in good faith and is subject to change without notice. This is a guide, not a contract or offer of employment. L.J. Kennedy reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make adjustments due to errors.