Guide to Surviving Chicagoland 1099

First of all let me start by saying you should AVOID Chicagoland 1099 companies, for many reasons I will list below(feel free to add to it, I will edit and add it to the list). But that's what everyone on here will tell you, where's the fun in that?

I'm writing this guide because I sure as #### wish someone did back when I started. I doubt most of you will read this all the way through, its not going to be planned or anything I'm most likely going to just info dump as much useful information as I can think of - but I will do my best to structure it into something coherent.

Let's start by addressing WHY most people, and rightly so, say to avoid Chicagoland 1099's:

1) You're taking on ALL of the tax burden as a 1099 contractor. If you were W2 you would split that with your employer.

2) You will NOT have any benefits that you might expect from W2 companies

3) There may or may not be a language barrier between the people you interact with regularly at your company

4) Let's be real, once you get paid, ask yourself: Are you really going to have the self control to put money away for taxes? You need to really be honest here or you will dig yourself into a hole you will regret down the road.

5) They WILL take off the top before they give you the amount the load is paying (I will go into detail later if you read that far)

6) They will run you to death, you are cattle, livestock, disposable. THIS is what you need to understand - these Chicagoland companies are not Russian, they are Serbian do a little research into Serbian history and you will start to understand their culture.
Lying and stealing is a part of their culture - I am not being ignorant I am just stating facts.

Once you understand the way European companies operate and think, then you will start to see how you can use their system to your advantage.

They are not thinking about the long term AT ALL. Their entire mindset and business model is short term "only the current load matters". What do I mean? I'll try to break it down:

I'm not going to bore you with history on Serbia and surrounding countries but long story short is events in the 90s created this mentally they have where tomorrow isn't a given and you have to take as much as possible right now, today, at all costs - lying, cheating, and stealing are basically a sign of strength and probably the national sport (joking, or am I?)

You can see this by how you will be treated:

You are run to death, booked on loads that don't make sense time wise, your sleep is irrelevant, all that matters is the load gets delivered and money is made. Driver retention is not a thing, because long term is not considered at all. TODAY is the only thing that matters - this is the culture of these Chicago companies. Why the #### do you think they will hire SAP or messed up records? Because today is the only thing that matters and today 'you pickup, you deliver load'

Okay now that we got that stuff out of the way, you're probably asking why would anyone willingly sign up for this? It sounds like a war crime.

Positives:

1) You can make A LOT of money, fast. No American company can even come close to this. Obviously because of illegal logs, but their culture that I've tried to drill in your head is actually a benefit here for you. If today is all that matters it lights a fire under your dispatchers ### to keep the truck moving. Very different from most American companies.

2) If your record isn't great, they will hire your sorry ###.

3) No safety people nagging you, or all that annoying buzzers and auto braking systems

4) You can deduct your expenses off your taxes(will explain later)

Okay now you understand the culture and mindset shift from American companies HOW do you beat this system?

Short answer, you don't. At least not long term because there is no ####ing long term.

You MUST go into this with a very very clear goal of what you are going to do with the money you make to better your life. If you don't then this is not worth the stress or negative impact to your health from being sleep deprived.

Treat it like a season: 1-3 months... 6 months MAX if you're desperate.

SAVE... SAVE... SAVE... as much as you ####ing can. Create another bank account and deposit as much as possible into it and DO NOT touch it. You're going to get big checks, you're going to be sleep deprived and impulsive. DO not splurge. Live like a ####ing hobo for a few months, save and GET OUT.

Do not buy truck stop junk, go to Walmart and get bread, peanut butter jelly, ramen, WHATEVER you have to do to save as much as you can. Treat this like a short term prison sentence, im not ####ing joking.

This is the ONLY way to succeed in Chicagoland, come in knowing you're going to be run to death for a good paycheck. They have mastered the art of ############

Requirements:

1) You MUST setup your LLC ASAP, preferably before you even start. Take advantage of tax deductions you have as a 1099 contractor. Look into "ATBS" and sign up for that - its worth it.

2) Sleep during time at docks, if you dont you will burn out and be exhausted within a week or two. LEARN to sleep at docks this is the only way to survive. Short naps during transit. Get used to 4 hrs of sleep IF you're lucky. This is not a long term thing, stack your money and get the #### OUT.

3) this is not a requirement but heavily recommended - HAVE MONEY going in - do not be completely broke. Give yourself an out if the company you picked is impossible to beat. Having money going in gives you leverage, meaning you don't have to bend over and take it. You can leave and try a different chicago company.

4) DO NOT abandon the equipment.. return it to where you got it, be prepared to get stranded somewhere at any time - SAVE MONEY TO GET HOME.

5) This one's a personal thing for me, depends on your personality but try to be professional at all times , even when they're clearly ############ and playing you. Again - you came in with a very clear goal for what you want to do with the money, stick to it.

That's all I've got for now guys, im tired. Feel free to correct me or call me a #######, call me a genius, whatever you want. I just wanted to get this out there for people that may not have any other option but to go to Chicago companies.

 

Yes sir, I was compelled to by the sleep paralysis demons from the last time I slept ( I dont remember when that was)