Advice for a driver in a bad situation...

Food Service companies you can make, usually, $80G - $110G per year.
Here's some in Orlando:
Sysco
Sygma Network
H.T. Hackney
Performance Food Group

 

Along with all the other good advice you've gotten here, maybe tell him that you value your friendship, and feel like your business relationship could potentially threaten that, so it's best to move on.

 

@TNSquire can give you a good rundown on Eagle Transport.
~
Here's another thread on Eagle Transport:
Haul Fuel Eagle Transport

 

There is no excuse for you staying past the 2nd missing/delayed paycheck. You train people how to treat you. If he's not paying you, you owe him nothing. I would let him know you won't be in tomorrow and go to the state about your missing pay. You'll probably volunteer for more free work and also stick around until your PSP report for bad equipment limits getting any good jobs. It's your life.

 

Tell the boss you're moving to Florida and resign right then.
Keep it simple and just resign. Sometimes we have to just "eat crow" to protect ourselves, as difficult as it may be. Put on a fake smile and say you're moving to Florida to be close to family.
Remember, your new employer may call your friend to verify employment, so leave on good terms, as hard as that may be.

 

Texas you say? About the pay, when you are ready to leave or to be paid, file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). So long as this "friend" isn't actually a relative, they will help you recover wages owed in the last 180 days of you filing the claim. If it or they (wages) are over 180 days old they won't help you at all most likely, and they won't help if you work for family. Not sure why they wont if you worked for family, but that's just how it is. If you end up leaving, on good or bad terms and still have not been paid and you make a demand for your wages (I'd recommend in writing, sent certified mail return receipt requested either electronic return receipt or the green card), it could under Texas law become a felony for the employer, when they still fail to pay you. Texas has some very good and strict payday law in the books. Don't let this guy, friend or not get away with not paying you for your work.

If TWC ultimately doesn't help you for any reason, it doesn't mean all hope is lot. Just means you will have to take the issue to court to recover the money owed to you. You didn't say in the initial post and I admit I didn't read further to see, if he is paying you on that 1099 scam nonsense, you could also fill out form SS-8 from the IRS, and potentially have him paying his portion of employment taxes he has evaded, if he has been paying you on a 1099.

IF and its a huge IF there is a contract, whether true W2 employee, or that 1099 scam, make sure you preserve it, if or when you have to file in court to recover your wages. It could work out for you being able to get a lawyer and sue under breach of contract, which would provide for the recovery of your reasonable attorney fees, should you have to hire an attorney.

 

I’ve seen a few one man with a few “friends” in his trucks operations go bad because the main man starts to make a ton of money from the venture and gets involved in some high dollar “recreational” habits or starts buying expensive toys or a high maintenance woman becomes involved and paying bills and payroll becomes bottom of the list of his worries.
And the Austin area is a ripe place for all of that.

 

Eagle Transport has a remote terminal in Orlando, base is Tampa.
The tm at that terminal was my ops manager in Chattanooga.
Big Ben is a good guy, runs a tight ship, and i believe it’s the largest terminal in the company.
Hauling gas is easy money compared to flatbed.
Load, transport, deliver, repeat.
If you can’t pull better than 1800 a week, you’re doing it wrong, especially in Florida.
You’re home every night, work 5x12, likely start on nights, solid benefits, decent company in general, and well maintained equipment. And you’ll get paid weekly, two week hold back, and no worries whether you’re going to get paid or not.
I’ve worked for eagle for 3 years.
I cannot see myself going anywhere else, unless something catastrophic happens.
My tm is one of the best there is, and so is my ops manager.
We have a nicely balanced relationship.
I’m a go to when they need something out of the ordinary, or a rush job, or whatever.
They know I’ll handle it.
In exchange, if i need something, they’ll take care of me as well.
I swap days for doc appointments often, so i always deliver when they need me for extra whatever.
Eagle also has options in dry bulk and chemical, should you wish to expand your horizons from just gas.
I did, and it’s the smartest move i could have made.
You can make bank on either chemical or dry bulk. Most chemical is regional, dry bulk is local and regional.
The money is definitely there though.
Pm me if you like, or, if you cannot pm me, tag me here and I’llpm you.

 

You know you made it when @Chinatown taps you….
Thanks bud. Glad to help!