How do I keep and motivate good drivers

There is a reason they are considered legal. The driver is allowed to choose the freight. Otherwise, it would be the same as any trucking company regulations.

Give them time, the IRS will examine them.

 

It sounds like a good idea to me.

 

Well ifyou ask me, you should drive first...Nobody wants an owner who "thinks" they know the business. Leadership in the military is one thing but in the trucking industry, well, you need to know what "running" is all about...And get experienced drivers, they'll stick out in the intereviewing process....

 

I was a driver.

 

It's a great way to get out of paying employers half of SS taxes and no workers comp, works great until someone gets hurt or complains to the IRS, finding ways to screw drivers so you can make more money is a good way to end up broke. http://www.mdc.edu/hr/Operations/AFS/IRSFactorTest.pdf

 

I know the rules.

I believe the IRS will eventually get with them.

I know that companies will always try to avoid the legal.

 

If I work for someone I look at their integrity first.Know that their word is their bond.Pay is usually the first concern for most but for me its a combination after the integrity issue.Money,freight lanes,not driving "cookie-cutter" trucks.Working for someone honest and fair who respects my experience would be a welcomed change in this industry.
Good luck,Lonesome 7.3, if you are able to pull this off,in this economy,and keep me in the south east farther than I am now-get in touch-we may need each other.

 

It's difficult to answer your original posted questions, because they're so open ended and subject to personal opinion.
But I'll give you my .02 anyway.
Although I've only been a driver for a year, I was shocked at just how many other hats I have to wear to get the job done. Here's the short list:
Secretary
Bookkeeper
Scheduler
Planner
Mechanic
Inspector
Dock Worker
Dispatcher ( Yes, Dispatcher !! I'd like to have nickel for every time I've completed the work they were supposed to have done.)
Now, I'm sure I've left things out, but you get my point.
So, as a driver, if someone were to try to make me happy..... Let me do more of the thing that makes me happy (driving) and fewer of the things that I feel "Ground Support" should do. And, yes, I'm fully aware that "wearing the other hats" is something that's impossible to get away from. However, IMHO, not enough is done to support the driver with their "prime directive". MOVING FREIGHT FROM POINT A TO POINT B !!!!!!
If a driver is to make any kind of living wage at this profession, they're going to have to drive 50+ hours a week. So, my question would be..... Why would a company think that a driver would have time or energy to do much else?

Oh, by the way, this is my first post.... be gentle.

 

While you may well be right, always remember: Tax Evasion = Illegal...... Tax Avoidance = Completely Legal.

 

I'm still trying to figure out if this guy is buying nice trucks and having employees pridefully cleaning them, or if he's rebuilding junkers from RV parts pulling repaired storage trailers

Lotta confusing threads going on.