I was under the impression that Truckers were paid by the mile - they drive like bats out o' heck in order to rack up enough miles each day to pay the bills. The actual shift length was irrelevant - just how far they went.
Some are some aren't. The great walmart of CHina has its own truckers. They are not independents, so they are on hourly pay.
"The actual shift length was irrelevant - just how far they went."
You are correct. If the rig ain't moving there isn't money being made regardless of whether it's an Independent or common carrier.
The way around it is keeping two sets of drive time logs to extend drive time. Some condone it and do it, others break the law. ;-)