Cldrvr
Why the aggression? I made a civilised post in which I offered a balanced point of view. Indeed the section with which you so obviously disagree was an after thought. And stop looking for agendas. Paranoid are we? As it happens I'm just a driver, and a quick search would show you my views on the deterioration in terms in the LCC sector.
Your examples are poor, though you were obviously so angry clearly you allowed your rage to overcome your clarity of thought. Personally I don't think the fuel company will charge more per litre for their fuel. Do you? Indeed I'm sure it will be less given the vast difference in uplift.
Your precious "market rate" is exactly that. What the market is prepared to pay. Now with no disrespect to the OP at the moment, working on an assumption they are not rated on the Glex, the market wouldn't pay them anything given their lack of skill set. If GC is rated and experienced obviously he or she could name their price.
With the assumed lack of rating, the extortionate cost of a Glex rating and the need for circuits, line training etc etc do you think that GC has the same earning potential from day one as a type-experienced person? Yet you draw parallels with experienced guys at agency rates. Not really a fair comparison.
Now I hope I haven't upset anyone else by offering a balanced view. And more importantly i hope that you go straight in on top whack GC. If I were lucky enough to be the owner I personally would pay a good rate to keep my guys happy. Provided of course we had a good relationship. I just felt that the calls for huge equivalent day rates were a touch short sighted and the other side of things was worth bearing in mind. Any negotiation is better entered into with as many views as possible.
As for cldrvr.........calm down dear!
Edited to add, this assumes your employer is rating you. If not then the gloves are off. But if they are they will be equipping you with a tremendous revenue generator for he rest of your career.