Am I being underpaid?

It is a rather ordinary pay. You cannot expect a lot more from Chicago based Company these days. You see, on the face of it, your checks may seem good (a hell lot better than at Swift, Schneider, Werner etc,), but it might not be that much if you figure in no benefits: no 401k , no health insurance, probably no work comp. etc. Also the fact that they pay you on 1099 means they don't contribute to your Social Security and Medicare at all. You need to pay your Social Security tax in full. You probably run on paper logs too. All these miles may not be an option after 2017. But to answer your question 48 cpm is good these days since their average might be about 1.50 a mile. For instance a few years back 2010 they were paying 35-40 cpm going long distance. A know for a fact an OTR company going to California with reefers paying 45 cpm. That's a lot, if they do it on paper logs. But this is about to be over.

 

And Thank God U.S. is still a land of the LAW.

 

Id be careful with the tickets. The one you have may be a serious offense according to this. Get another in 3 years they can disqualify you for 60 days. Section C #3. Just trying to save you some grief. I got a disqualification several years ago, almost cost me everything I had- no trucking company would talk to me until it dropped off my record and I had over 20 years experience with no accidents.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/383.51

 

Ya know I have a Great question....

As a fellow Chicagoan myself.. I've been seeing this since you guys exploded on the scene back in the 90's.. (Yeah,I know all about you Serbians and Croatians fighting over ex-Yugoslavian land and Religious beliefs)

And You all came here to the US to avoid that mess.. And want the dream..Right?

Well,The dream isn't working for your fellow Kraka..

I'd like to see you guys start applying at American owned driving jobs that are quality, You'll live better!!
Also, It doesn't hurt to communicate with us americans either....You'll learn some things and we may learn from you too.

Well, happy Trails with that Volvo.

 

Since you want to buy your own truck, join www.OOIDA.com which is a business website for the owner-operator and small fleet owner.

A friend of mine, and elderly lady, recently died after having spent the last 7 or 8 yrs. of her life with no income. She had no social security due to poor planning and was dependent on her 2 children for everything.
When her husband died years before her, he also had no social security. Unless one is really lucky, you just can't outsmart the system.

 

It is all superficial. To buy your first truck from Arrow in Bolingbrook you need to rather have 15K for a downpayment a FICO score of about 650. Business account is only good if there is dough in it. The longevity of it is irrelevant. The fact you are on W-2 is good as they contribute 50% to your SS and Medicare. But don't think that you'd be getting better checks at Swifts etc.

 

My accountant said the trucking companies that pay drivers on 1099 are getting away with murder. His exact words, LOL.

That's one of the few good things about these small outfits, that your trailer is usually pre-loaded and you run out and back so you're home weekly. I actually wouldn't minding working for one of them if they paid normally on W-2 and had health insurance like every legit employer. Where are you headed? California?

 

No, he stated he's on 1099 but the company does offer W-2 if a driver wants it.