Flatbeddin' with good ole' Western Express

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by BusyVixen, Jun 11, 2011.

  1. OneAndDone

    OneAndDone Bobtail Member

    29
    2
    May 17, 2011
    Mississippi
    0
    I got got orientation set up for Monday. Anyone else?
     
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  3. BusyVixen

    BusyVixen Bobtail Member

    23
    42
    Aug 26, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    Hey folks, sorry for the delay, I have been very very busy these last two weeks averaging 3,200 miles consistantly. Heirforce pretty much summed everything up as far as the freight, equipment and mileage is concerned and it would appear that not much has changed. I've been all over the mid west and west these two weeks and am loving it. Last week, I was delivering loads of paper rolls, copper and ceiling cement, in Mississippi, Arizona, and Oklahoma and this week I am scheduled to deliver a oversize structural beam for a bridge in Oregon. To answer some questions: I'm dispatched out of Virginia and have a great dispatcher. I have been to the Birmingham terminal and it's a pretty big flatbed hub and as far as van is concerned, I am not too knowelegdble in that area but from what I have heard from other van drivers the starting pay depends on your experience level, but for you Beejay you may start out in the mid 30s to low 40s and for your experience 2009GMC you may start out within the low 40s to mid 40s provided that it is verifiable and somewhat clean (I've said it before, the pay isn't the greatest but the freight is there). If you would like to run NE more power to you, and I am sure that your dispatcher would love you for it :biggrin_25525:

    What I have learned about per diem is that it depends on the individual's situation. If you need to show substantial income at the end of the year then per diem is not for you (financing a home or auto loan) but if you don't mind a lower net income on your W-9 at the end of the year then it may be for you. Personally, I enjoy the per diem because it lowers my taxable net income ON PAPER, thus I take home more at the end of the week, and if I continue to be prudent with my record keeping I can lower my net taxable income at tax time. And quite honestly, I like to have as much of my money now as I can and choose how much taxes to pay later, so it works for me.

    The mathematics behind per diem as I understand it work like this:

    Say you get paid .30 a mile= .14 is taxed the other .16 is not. So if you drove 1,000 miles in a week you have earned $300. $140 is taxed at whatever your specific tax bracket is and the remaining $160 is not taxed. Your pay would be $160 plus what ever is left from the tax deduction out of the $140 minus whatever deductions you have (insurance, garnishments, advances etc.) The only amount reported to the IRS is that .14 not the .30 which is why it looks like you made substantially less then you really made on your W9. This is good because since less taxes come out you get more of your earned money, but also bad because less taxes came out so you may be liable for that at tax time.

    Conversely, if you did have the per diem (doesn't matter because you have to take it at Western) the whole $300 would be taxed, thus you take home less money at the end of the week and if you r employer is doing the right thing by withholding your money and sending it to the proper places you should be covered as far as paying the right amount of tax is concerned, and because the whole amount of .30 is reported to the IRS it shows the full amount of what you made for the year on your W9. Now this example was for .30 the ratio will change depending on what your cpm is. (Anyone want to add more clarity to that feel free to share :biggrin_25514:)

    Lastly, I don't have their insurance because I buy into my own plan elsewhere but from what I hear from different drivers not too many complain, but I recommend that additional research be done. Oh, OneAndDone make sure that you tell the shuttle driver to take you the the Comfort Inn it's the best hotel out there hands down.:biggrin_25519:

    That's all for now, catch ya later :biggrin_25525:
     

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  4. MD STEELERS FAN

    MD STEELERS FAN Light Load Member

    156
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    Jun 18, 2010
    Perryman Md
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    thanks for the update. How much do students start at per mile? How much is per diem? How much for tarping? Thanks ahead of time Busyvixen.
     
  5. BusyVixen

    BusyVixen Bobtail Member

    23
    42
    Aug 26, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    Hey folks, another busy week. Last week, I averaged 2,700 miles had two nice 1,300+ runs. This week was substantially less (2,400) because I am going home for the holiday, that transition is always a pain in the butt mileage wise. MD to answer your question starting pay is at .30 a mile, but it should increase within the completion of 60 days of employment, and is capped at .34 a mile, tarping is a whopping $15, and per diem is .14. So far everything is good, hope it stays that way for the next several months which is long enough for me to get my experience and say sayonara! Good company but they pay their drivers crap, even the good ones that have been there over 3 years, and honestly I can't respect that. :biggrin_25513:
     

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  6. MD STEELERS FAN

    MD STEELERS FAN Light Load Member

    156
    17
    Jun 18, 2010
    Perryman Md
    0
    Thanks again sorry for bugging you so much just want to find the perfect match. Have a safe and happy fourth.
     
  7. BusyVixen

    BusyVixen Bobtail Member

    23
    42
    Aug 26, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    No worries man, always happy to help a fellow driver out :biggrin_25519: I hope that Western is what you are looking for and if it turns out to be then I am very happy for you. I too, want the perfect fit, and do not wish to be one of those drivers that hops from company to company because the grass seemingly appears to be greener on the other side. As I've stated before so far, I am very happy with the company, and if you decide to check us out, I think that you will be too. Any other questions you might have feel free to ask, it's what I'm here for. :biggrin_255:

    Happy fourth everyone!!
     
    MD STEELERS FAN and dbrober70 Thank this.
  8. Mississippi

    Mississippi Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Jul 1, 2011
    Yazoo City, MS
    0
    Well Im new to the trucking industry by saying new I mean new just graduated from school and the only company to give me a chance is western express and I was wondering are there any helpful drivers out there that are willing to give me some incites about this company before I take that leap of faith. Thanks God bless and drive safe.
     
  9. BusyVixen

    BusyVixen Bobtail Member

    23
    42
    Aug 26, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    Hey Mississippi, you could probably start by doing yourself a favor and reading the previous posts. They may answer some of the questions you seek. :biggrin_255:
     
  10. TDriver4Life

    TDriver4Life Medium Load Member

    Busy Vixen keep the pics coming if you will.
     
  11. MD STEELERS FAN

    MD STEELERS FAN Light Load Member

    156
    17
    Jun 18, 2010
    Perryman Md
    0
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