at marten orentation

ok thanks for gettin back to me! I just want to find out as much as I can before i risk loosing Orientation cost and a negative hit on my DAC just to find out if i can live with it or not.

so it also sounds like they use paper logs and dont run you illegal..

and what "per-Diem" is..

 

Most companies are being real sticky about there logs and doing things safely. They have to inprove there SAFE STAT scores or DOT will make them put in black boxes and they don't want that. It dosen't matter if there Refers, Flats, Dryvans or what. Refer companies also take security VERY siriosly. After all you are hauling food that people will be eating.

Per-diem is a tax loop hole for the company. it's when they take part of your pay and give it to you tax free. Sounds good right?

WRONG, The IRS gives you a break on your taxes for being a OTR truck driver. You get $52 a day for ever day you are away from home. This is per-diem but you only get it IF the company is not alread taking out for it.

If the company dose per-diem then you get it for the miles you are paid for. They only have to pay taxes on the rest of your pay. You do not get it for layovers, breakdowns, waiting for loads or anything else. just paid miles.

The IRS gives it to you for ever day you are out on the road away from home. Regaurdless of what you are doing.

Dosen't take a math wise to figure out which is better for the driver.

 

THANKS!!! im really bad at math and tax problems but i THINK they only give you a choice of per-diem for the milage pay and you still get all the other types of may and bonuses

i know all these common carries keep there pay programs extremely complicated so you can predict what you will get in the end, and the more complicated the more they can hide from you and keep themselves

So you are "working" far far more hours than you are getting paid for
and the company dont pay OT )which is the level im used to living at)

 

I went to orientation in october 08, indiapolis. After o'tation I went home to put my gear on my truck and roll.The step on my rig was loose and I broke my leg! I was just released by my Dr. 3/23/09 I called Marten they said I was no longer eligable to drive for their Co. I dont understand? I never sued I paid for my injury through seperate insurance and they act like I have wronged them! they came and got the truck while i was in hospital and took my cb, blankets ,checkbook driver license, and will not tell me where they are

 

Bummer sorry to hear that

 

Don't they hire student drivers

 

They are going to and you signed paperwork while in orientation agreeing to it or they wouldn't have hired you. I personally don't agree with it but I don't own the company I just work for them.

 

I've been reading some of the posts on here and here is my take...

My recruiter told me that if you leave the company before 6 months you WILL be charged for the cost of the hotel, transportation, orientation.... so how can you act surprised or think it is unfair that they are going to charge you?

It costs them money to put guys thru orientation so if everyone just ups and quits before 6 months(which I doubt that many are quitting that soon) and they didn't recoup the cost of it can you imagine how much money they would be out every year?

Of course they are going to be sticklers for security. After all you are hauling food.

I've been driving 15 years now and I do serious research before changing jobs. I think things will work out for me at Marten when I start the 29th of this month.