Caracas Transportation, Inc.

How do you know you can "stay out of hot water with the 1099 thing" in trucking if you've never been a 1099 contractor? They say they'll give you 7 to 10 days home? INDEPENDENT contractors in other industries usually get to decide their schedule or a portion of it, as they're SELF-EMPLOYED. These 1099 trucking companies know what type of reputation they have and they know what type of drivers seek them out. They have bad reputations because they don't keep their word, they don't pay fairly or treat their drivers correctly. We all make mistakes in trucking, some worse than others. Considering you had an accident less than 2 years ago. You should continue to drive locally.


I would give it 2-4 FULL years local before seeking out any OTR gig, especially before I would consider a 1099 fly-by-night driving job. Imagine being a Hiring agent for a legitimate trucking outfit, and then you receive an application from a driver who not only had an accident but instead of going through the process to prove they learned from the mistake, decided to take a shortcut, with a run of the mill 1099 entity, that probably will have a different name in 6 months to a year. If you're with a legit local outfit, give it a full 2-3 years, try the US Xpress route, or any other starter or second chance company that IS LEGIT. In this job market, there's no way a 1099 position will help you or your career.

 

Jump on it.
it’s 100% legal to pay company employees and not pay taxes.
It’s now on the internet so it must be true.

 

I would keep searching in your area.
I think those Chicago companies are complete last resort, hail Mary passes that should only be considered in extreme circumstances, which only you can know. You have a home, a family, bills, only you truly know what's best for you. If it was me I'd be knocking on doors and making calls closer to home first. You just never know.

 

I do think you'll be better at US Xpress, IMO, you should plan to stay with US Xpress 2-4 years, here is why. I obtained my CDL and started driving in 2016. A driver that was in my class, who, I've kept in contact with, had an at-fault after 2 years. They couldn't get a look by another company for a year, and then Covid hit. By the time they got back to applying for driving jobs, not only was the accident there, he needed a refresher, still, unhireable. He ended up doing local courier work in a sprinter van. Still not CDL A experience, but it was a job. That experience and proving he could drive without causing an accident led to him being able to get on with a prominent expedite OTR carrier in a sprinter van. He has been able to earn the carrier's trust enough to move into driving expedite straight truck, but his interest is in driving a Semi. He can't with the current carrier because he'd have to start all over, and can't drive a semi with the expedite carrier, because they require recent 1 year (insurance).

My point is, that you had an accident, they happen. However, being picky about where you end up now, will hurt you in the future. Right now, you should focus on networking with a carrier like US Xpress, even if it's not ideal, for a couple of years. To prove that you can drive without any major incidents, to gain trust with a legitimate carrier. Then, after proving that you know what you're doing. That will alow you to be slightly more picky about what you do in the industry.

JUST MY 2 CENTS OF COURSE..

GOODLUCK!

 

Werner has a terminal in Lakeland. If I were in your position. US Xpress and Werner would be 2 companies that I'd consider settling with for the foreseeable future.

Even 1 year Werner, then 1 year US Xpress would be better than any 1099 position out of Chi Town.

 

Are the Venezuelans getting in on the Chicago action these days? You're about to get used and abused. You've got practically zero legit expenses to deduct. Like somebody else pointed out, how generous it was of them to tell their contract labor what the home time will be.. if the other red flags weren't enough that one there tells you what it's going to be.