The switch up

Before we had cards for drivers we had $100 cash in an envelope in the glove box. Just because the cash was in there doesn’t mean it was the drivers to take.

I have a hard time understanding just because it’s available on the card, then it’s ok to take without permission. That’s sort of like poking holes in software as a hacker, because you find one then it’s ok to exploit?

 

Then it goes back to what is spelled out to the employees or o/o’s when they’re hired on. The flatbed company I drove for there was $100 a week available to the drivers if we wanted it, loaded on the card weekly. I think the place I’m leased on now is $200 but I haven’t looked thru the handbook since last August. If it’s not spelled out and guys jump from one company to the next and to the next and at the first 4 it wasn’t an issue but at number 5 it’s an issue because it’s not clearly said to them it’s not ok then that’s just as much on the owner as it is the employee/leaser for “stealing” the money.

I’ve never been in the habit of getting advances because it makes it too easy to lose track of your money, and maybe my view is different because the two experiences I’ve had in my career it’s been ok to use the money if the person wanted. When I drove for the flatbed company, the whole time I was there I worked with a guy who would fuel at Idaho Falls, get his $100, then stop at the casino in Blackfoot on the way to SLC.

We see stories here a lot where the spouse of someone says the company lied about the money and it turns out the person on the road was getting advances every week they were gone and spending it.

So now that this topic has been brought up what is spelled out in your handbook about cash advances on the fuel card?

 

Cash advances are turned off, only purchases can be made for supplies and permission must be given prior with receipt turned in.

We turned them off because sometimes drivers would take them and it would break down trust. Better to just not have that temptation or option there. Whether it’s to hit the casino, pay the phone bill, or buy the ol lady booze, it’s not my problem, that’s what paychecks are for.

Now if we want to send a bonus or pay someone back, we can put the money in there to be withdrawn but that’s obviously different.

When I was a little kid my Mom would give each driver like 4 checks of I believe $500 each to take to the west coast and back. This was to pay for fuel or anything that came up. It was before Comdata or before they had it atleast as I remember when they did get it we had a fax machine installed and faxes would come in at all hours outside my bed room. lol Anyway… some of the drivers would advance themselves so much money that they would literally have a 50 cent check when they got home after paying back the advances. I think those type of memories just make me not even go there on advances. If you can’t manage your finances how are you going to manage my truck and trailer?

 

I can't see not having cash on a card, whether O/O(using your trailer) or company driver. Why would i expect them to pay out of their pocket for my expenses? Why would i want a call in the middle of the night to put cash on the card or a money code? If you're worried about someone taking an advance they don't need, that is the least of your problem with the driver.

I've had drivers that really didn't have a home, years ago some without a bank account. They lived off the advances, monthly i would even them up.

Over time you will/may have a negative driver that quits. If that is a big concern for a few hundred dollars, just quit now.

 

The wonderful thing about being my own boss and collecting my own money is I do not have to ask to take money, Now I can ask for a cash advance from the broker I guess now. Ha Ha. I think a lot of you guys have great points on this situation on cash advances. If you have a good accounting I guess it would not be a big deal to allow it and be like Long FLD has had it. X amount aloud for the drivers that may need an advance as a perk. Now If I had anyone working for me I would prob do that but it would be in a hand book and explained in person as well. Would also have a limit set up on the card as well. Would allow all truck expense be charged to the card and would need a receipt when used like wichris has said. I would never ask anyone to cover my expenses on the truck. If for some reason the card got locked up I would just send the money to their account to buy it. Now days it takes a couple seconds to send money to someone that has an account.

 

Did you guys actually click on the link? Did you get hacked? I didn't click on it.

 

I think that's policeman lingo for be on look out

 

i never even heard of a cash advance before.

 

When I was a O-O,we would get two company checks totaling $200 to do a round from Wisconsin to NYC and back.
That's back when truckstops would take a company check.
The good old days. <sigh>

 

:0

What was $200 sposed to cover at that point, quarters for calling home?