Attention all company drivers!!!

How long have you been drivin' for the worst company by far?
How many other Big truck truckin' companies have you driven for in 23 years?
How did you manage to go from more miles, longer loads, and layover pay on Sunday ---> to by far the worst?

From what I understand, experienced Big truck truck drivers ain't exactly in big demand. Much more cost effective to pay trainees peanuts instead. Aside from the Sunday pay, your complaints echo those of the newBees just startin' out. I doubt that many of those just startin' out will still be drivin' a Big truck in 2033. More likely they won't last 'till 2013. A large number of folks are drivin' a Big truck out of desperation more than an actual desire, creatin' an oversupply for the demand. Recruiters are now swimmin' in applications makin' it easier to find replacement wannaBees eager to drive the Big rigs to fill the classrooms and driver's seats vacated by those who've been burned out (too) early.

Remember when Big truck trailer truckin' was fun?
Many won't.
They'll never understand.

 

A friend of mine worked there, got fired by a dispatcher. The dispatcher shortly lost his job. The friend thought it was a good company and thought about returning there. He said they were good about getting him home, and also liked the way they dispatched. I'll tell him to look this up and maybe leave a comment.

 

I don't know who likes to work for a company that pays per diem. I don't know who works for a company who doesn't have transflo or trip pak or something where one could get paid weekly . How do these crooks legally get away with this ? No wonder the turn over rates so high. I have self worth today. I am an asset. I'm done being a corporate stoodge. If you can avoid it, do not work for star transportation. If you have no life and can put up with this nonsense then all the best ! Freekin crooks in the name of God ! They should all be ashamed !

 

So they can hire them by the boat load . I know who I am and what my capabilities are. All I ask is a decent outfit who knows how to treat their drivers and decent equipment. Is that too much to ask or have these companies just turned into some low life lying, stealing, and cheating crooks with ties to Washington D.C. by way of lobbyists ?

 

Don't work for star transportation out of nashville Tn. You'll be sitting around with short miles, 4 to 500. Dollar a week paychecks if that and a terrible maintenance set up. Like 2 days for a pm ! Did I mention per diem miles ? Where you make .35 cpm but only get paid for .32 cpm.

 

Well what happens to the other 3 cents ?

 

Goobermint deal. Don't worry about it. Your check is higher under per diem...

 

You can deduct it at tax time and get money back depending on your tax bracket. And no , your check is not higher under per diem unless you have claimed six dependents on your w 4 ! I'm not trying to be a drama king but when drivers who have been with star a lot longer than I have leave then I know I'm not just in my head. It is a good job for newbies but once you get the experience, look for something that will enable you to pay your rent, your car now and buy some food because, you'll starve working for theses cats. They tell me it was a great company before covenant took it over, need I say more ?

 

I would say your company is not doing it correctly. Taking Per Diem is a tricky thing, for employee and employer alike.

And yes, my check is larger....claiming ZERO dependents + $10 extra.

I had this argument during orientation. About how it MUST meet the federal minimum at the end of the year.

This argument started when I told the guy, if they failed to report it accurately. I was allowed to recover what they had missed.

And if he didn't believe it. Wait and see which one of us would be on the losing end of an audit. Because I'm getting my money.....end of story.

They've since raised the amount....to fit within the guidelines more appropriately.

The way to figure this is fairly simple, and must occur at the end of the year. Although I recommend a good Tax preparer to insure the math is done correctly.

An OTR driver running short miles is more likely to lose money taking per diem, than a regional driver. But they can get it back at tax filing, provided they have proper documentation.

It's all about the number of miles and number of days out. If you "could" have claimed $5000 in per diem, and only got $3000 through your company. Are you simply going to let them keep it? Not me.

The penalties are VERY high on an employer that fails to get these numbers right. But someone has to report/draw attention to them....first.

 

Marthol.....

I don't mean to single you out. It was your post.

Many companies mislead drivers about Per Diem. We've all accepted their word on this for so long. That it has become gospel to most.

Companies typically "underpay" a driver that run less than 2000 miles a week as an OTR driver. But they've (drivers) been told they can not claim per diem at tax time, by the company. This simply is not true....if the company has not met the annual "allowed" deduction standards for that driver.

I hate taking it myself. But I'm doing it for the next 13 months...out of choice.

It's all a big math issue. And it can cheat the IRS and the driver. That's why they seek to mislead (dumb down) drivers. NOBODY is going to cheat the IRS.

Roadmedic can probably clarify this better than I have. But he has yet to check in on the thread.