O/O-L/O Fueling: New Policy

That was my first thought when I read Injun's post. The more control an employer has on "independent contractors," the less independence there is and the IRS will surely notice. They miss nothing.

 

I agree here that there are many issues. I think as well the IRS would be looking at that.

 

This was talked about back when i was at swift. and swift does not pass on it's fuel discounts that is right in the contract.

i ran a dedicated account with them and the little truck stop at Mccarran NV was always cheaper than the Sparks Terminal by as much as 0.25 a gallon and that is where i would fuel..

if i was still their this wouldn't affect me either as i would use my debit card and fuel where it made since to do so (and sometimes that is the terminal) just depends on where you are.

but this will not improve trailer maint in any way but they can try honestly i think it is bad move on Swifts part to try to take more control and they will loose in the end.

if the L/O and O/O do not have the cash in their own pocket hopefully they have some in their maint that they could pull out (don't drain it) to allow you to fuel 3 or 4 times with cash and get that better price. that money won't come out of your next settlement and then you should be set from their just save it for when you need it and don't blow it on things you don't need Just a thought

 

The big fleets usually purchase fuel and manage it through a futures contract and fuel distribution network.

No one knows what the companies paid for the "rack price". By the time you purchase product at the pump, the carrier has already paid for it in full and enjoyed an invisible deep discount that you were never aware of and can't see. Completely separate from the token discount your company offers at the different truckstops.

This has been discussed from time to time, but no one seems to care.

And, if you're leased and like to pay cash, Transportation Alliance Bank has a debit card ("Flying J Mastercard/Debit Card) that doubles as a fuel purchase card. It's in the TCH system. The way things are going with the economy these days, it's a good idea to have a back up plan for buying fuel if your company's card gets cut off. It's a good idea to have a way to buy fuel independently if the folks you're leased to suddenly shut the doors without warning. Remember those poor Arrow drivers waking up at Christmas to find out the company they worked for didn't exist anymore.

THAT was a RUDE way to treat hard working Drivers.

 

Sounds to me like another challenge to the small business owner trying to help the tax base a bit. If anyone is capable of finding a legal, ethical way around roadblocks, my money is on Injun.

 

This is going to bite big time. I use mom and pop alots when out west. It is also going to take some more planning when it is close to the end of the pay week, and again, out west. Also alot of the bulk DEF is at the Loves. Guess that will be using ATM more, but found out one day when using ATM card, did not get the cash discount price, something to do with them having to still pay the surcharge or something like that. So instead, take the money out of the AMT, then use cash. I am also going to be curious to see how this plays out and I wonder how many L/O might just turn in their trucks. Do not think that this will affect Injun much since she can fuel at the terminal.

 

I was thinking of possibly pulling my truck before the elogs are installed, this might be the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

Swift just yielded ... the fuel policy will not change for O/Os.