Hello from VA

Hello y'all! I'm originally from Nags Head, NC. Living in Hampton, VA (unfortunately).

New to the forum but not to trucking. Starting trucking about 3yrs ago, hauling a flatbed otr. Loved it, especially the problem solving involved with each load. Recently decided I wanted to be local, and be home every night w/ my wife , and willing to take the pay cut to do so. So I got a job hauling containers out of the ports in the area (company driver). Any body else do the same here?

I came here to share/gain knowledge.

Also, I hav e 3 big gripes...
1. I drive a Volvo. That might tell you everything. In the 1 month I've driven it, I've had nothing but problems. Had my first break down in my 3 year career, Thursday. Yesterday the driver side window and cigarette lighter stopped working. I've also had a fender flaring just fall completely off the truck. Didn't hit anything. Front fender mirror also fell off. Just to name a few. I feel like it's a huge rolling turd. First Volvo, I've ever driven. Never want to drive one again.
2. I'm being 1099'ed. How do companies get away with that? I'm obviously not a 1099er.
3. Now I know all recruiters lie. Have had my fair share of experiences with them. I'm working for a small company of 4 trucks. Hired directly by owner. Who promised me $800/wk and home every night. Now, I feel like I've been bait and switched. The last 3 weeks I've averaged $400/wk and worked every day. When i being it up, I'm told that to make $800/wk I need to go otr again. I signed on as local, job advertised as local, offered to me as local. I'm not going otr again. I expected a pay cut and was ok with that, but not such a big cut.

Maybe y'all can give advice?

 

Yeah I'm not liking that at all. I guess it can be just a starting point into local anyhow. Would like to buy my own truck someday too. How do truck companies get away with 1099ing obvious employers?

 

Yeah I got tank and hazmat a while ago. Haven't been able to get in with a company yet doing that. Going to keep trying tho. Don't really want to haul doubles, and it seems like Estes does mostly double?