Going to work for an O/O

I'm a little leary of the O/O that wants to hire me. How do I protect Myself from him maybe not paying me or any shaky stuff that comes up. What information should I request from him. I will be working for him and he works for May Trucking . So would I have any recourse with May Trucking if he doesn't pay. Maybe I'm just getting paranoid but Ill be leaving a job with benefits to take this job with no benefits. The reason simply is he will pay me more than I'm making now. Any help at all would be welcome. Ive applied to so many company's with no luck because I haven't driven class A in 8 years. They wont give me a chance because its been so long even though Ive been driving a box van for 5 years. Thats why I'm contemplating taking the job from this O/O.

 

Sounds like you've already talked yourself out of working for him. You didn't state how you are going to be paid. Is he going to take taxes out on ya or pay ya cash? Is this someone you know or have any history of him? If it doesn't work out and you leave on bad terms, you may not want your next employer to talk to him, then you have a gap to explain. You didn't state what you'd be driving. A lot of O/O's expect more from a driver than a company man, i know i do. If your the type that looks at the truck as just a tool to make money, I'd stay where your at.

 

No I don't know him at all. I am going off of a recommendation from my daughters best friends Dad, Who I don't know real well, but he is a good and honest man so I'm pretty much taking "HIS" word that this O/O is on the up and up. He said he would be paying cash and no mention of him taking taxes out of my check. Also I'm not sure what you meant by "If your the type that looks at the truck as just a tool to make money, I'd stay where your at." He said that the truck I would be driving would be a Peterbilt .

 

I've worked for cash in the past and never had a problem with it, now if uncle sam knew he might of had a problem with it. We have guys at our co. that could care less about the condition of the truck they drive as long as it makes it from point A to B. Some are filthy inside and out, things don't get wrote up then they complain when it goes down. Most would never lift a finger to clean up a truck saying, it's not my job. Those are the types i'm talking about. Ask the guy what he expects out of you as a driver. Best thing to do is get everything out in the open before you start.

 

i would just like to add, that make sure you

cover thy hinnney.... always look out for you!

if your agreeing to paid cash does that mean a 1099 at the end of year?
if so then uncle is going to require you to come up w/ ss and med. at the higher rate of so called being self-emp. something to consider.

i think May is a fine co. to drive for and get plenty of miles it really depends on you and how hard you push yourself and take care of your truck get good fuel mileage and you may be able to work out a bonus on top of your pay.

 

Thanks for your responses. I see what you mean now about the truck. Ya I'm a clean freak and I would definitely keep a close eye on the repairs and condition of the truck, as though it were mine. He did mention that he had to pay my workman's comp fees, so i assumed that means I'm an employee of his and not an independent contractor. Although I think he expects me to be responsible for my own taxes. It is a little confusing because he doesn't speak great English.

 

For him to be working as an O/O and to have the May Trucking co. using him to run loads for them it would seem he would have to be a legitimate business owner? I'm really new to all this over the road stuff. My experience with tractor/trailer work was all local. So to get some one to hire me on Ive found very difficult. Almost all of the co. out there want to do a full training for lots of bucks. Even though I did grocery stores and backed into 20 stores a day 5 days a week for 2 and a half years.

 

Over the course of a lot of years seeing people who work and have worked for o/o's I can come to only one honest conclusion....RUN. Disclaimer: Nothing personal to o/o's on the board here.

 

As long as May and the insurance accepts you, you should be alright. Doesn't speak much English? What does he speak? You got someone who can translate and get things straight before you start? Many things get lost in the language barrier. If you have a problem, you don't want him standing there constantly smiling and shaking his head yes, been there done that. All in all it doesn't sound like to bad of a deal.

 

You're not hurting my feelings, we're all HONEST don't ya know!