Anyone have info on Pigeon Freight in Illinois?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by navypoppop, Nov 17, 2021.

  1. navypoppop

    navypoppop Heavy Load Member

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    I need some info on this Pigeon Freight out of Illinois. My son is re-entering the driver market after his tour in the Navy is over in January and found this company to work for from the Chicago area. I went online and of course there are pics of the white trucks and promises of super mileage pay and great benefits. I also think I read that they are a 1099 company so it sent off red flags for me. I advised him to skip any company that pays on 1099 because you will fail and be on the hook to the Federal gov't. and he thinks that I am being to protective as his father so I told him that I would get some advice from the professionals at TT so that he can read the results for himself. I retired after 44 years OTR but with reputable companies and told him to think hard before he leaps. Thanks everyone for your input and honest replies.
     
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  3. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    Did you look them up on Google maps and read the reviews?

    Seems definitely like a typical shady Chicagoland company.



    "When I quit they charged me a $500 hiring fee"

    "When I quit, they kept my $1500 escrow, even though I was a company driver"

    "All people that work in the office are Russian and Ukraine"


    Your son can do much better.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2021
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  4. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I worked for a 1099 Chicago company for about a year. Yes they have shady ways. Some of them will take care of their drivers. The particular company I went to ran the hell out of the NE. I was able to make some quick consistent coin ND solve a few financial problems at home quickly. Your son will need to be prepared for a few things when he gets there. They will deduct a couple hundred dollars weekly for a period of time for the escrow. When he quits he won't get that cash back. I say "when" because it is an inevitability rather than a possibility. If something happens to the truck that's out of his control(i.e. hitting a deer), he will get charged for that. Hometime will be difficult to come by at times. Then the owner will ask him to open a company, more money shelled out, just so he can cover his own ###. Sometimes they can get into sticky situations with brokers, as they will lie their ### off to get a good paying load. This guy I was working with wasn't always the best load planner. If your son has a good record, there are far better options. I worked for 2 different 1099 companies over a period of 6 years. One in Memphis, the other in Chicago. The one in Memphis had a cheap owner and I worked there for 5 years, until it all went downhill. I did ok with both of those companies. My record was not good back in 2013, as I had a positive drug test and a criminal record. I had to have a job though. I had babies at the time, a whole family. I had my wife and our kids plus my other kids due to infidelity. I'm going into this grave detail to say, a driver goes to these companies to clean his record up. Time needed to pass so all of that would fall off. I didn't make the best decisions when I was in my 20s and it took altogether 8 years to get back on track. When the reputable companies won't hire you, that's where you go so you can keep up your skills and still earn a check, but only temporarily. It ain't a career to be made. I hope your son will read what I posted and make an educated decision. If he wants to go somewhere worthwhile, just mention your location and one of his can help him. We can put him to work somewhere good.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2021
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  5. navypoppop

    navypoppop Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks for your reply JonJon. I told him the same thing but if he doesn't listen I'm sure he will pay the price for being thick headed. I'm sure he saw their big money mileage pay and didn't look any further. I told him to sign up here and ask the real drivers of America the same questions. He drove for Southeastern before going back to active duty but he is moving to Laurel, Ms. and there isn't any reputable local jobs in that area. I told him to apply to all the major companies and he will find one that will get you home and with good pay and benefits. I'm just trying to help as a Dad but he is almost 40 and I guess he thinks that he knows the answers.
     
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  6. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I just edited my post because I accidentally hit the post button before I finished. Get him to read what I wrote. There are lots of OTR companies that will hire him from Laurel. One of our members @Chinatown has a lot of info on where he can go to. If he's got at least a year OTR or 2 years tractor trailer experience, the company I work for will hire him from there. PM me and I'll give you the details
     
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  7. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    If he can pass the drug test and doesn’t have a criminal record
    There is simply no reason to work for the crooked Chicago Russians .

    95% of the Chicago based companies are crooks .

    And 100% of the time a 1099 job is working for a crook .

    if it’s a legitimate business , they will pay on a W2 like every other legitimate business .

    and if he has any other skills , or the ability to learn them , he can make just as much or more money in hvac repair or welding or diesel mechanic as he can trucking . Yet be home and sleep in his own bed in his own house every night and have a normal life .
     
  8. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    95% huh? Where did you find those numbers
     
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  9. Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    For what it’s worth, I was almost ran over by one of their trucks in my personal vehicle in a construction zone.
    I sent them an email but no reply so far.
    That being said, I’m sure there are numerous companies that have drivers like that.
     
  10. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't sweat it so hard. Folks only echo negative experiences of others. Plus, if one hasn't spent extensive time up there, they won't know the half. I said in another thread that Chicago ain't the only place where 1099 companies exist but a lot of people surely feel that way it seems.
     
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  11. DRTDEVL

    DRTDEVL Road Train Member

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    Why, out of the entirety of this country, is he moving to Laurel?
     
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