Yes, I drove as a company driver, and per diem was optional. It probably still is. And obviously your direct deposit is going to match your settlement. You're just wrong about per diem. Maybe you should be the one calling payroll and ask them about per diem and if it's optional.
Ok, left Stevens earlier this week for a more local job after 3 1/2 years. I believe starting pay as a driver(not training with a trainer) is 30cpm out of that only 20cpm is taxed 10cpm is considered per diem. Now you can talk to drivers services to have that eliminated and all will be taxed and you can use your logbook to figure out how many days you where out to claim at tax time. You are also given raises during first year but I am not sure what current amounts are. I ran Texas Regional so my pay was much higher than doing otr. Stevens is a great company where you CAN make money but you need to learn the system, as with any company. Even though it has changed over the last couple years then training is still very good. The equipment is also some of the best for a training company as well as for several non-training companies. I know I have been looking for a couple years and still had to settle for a company that does not have apu's , inverters or any type of navigation in all trucks yet. Even though Jill is not the best, she is better than nothing. I get to go old school again, hope I remember.
Finally, another voice of reason. Thanks. But I'm sure you'll still get an argument. And I'm right on both counts
Golfnut is right. Per diem is for taxes only. It works like this: no matter what rate you're paid, they deduct .10 per mile, tax the base amount, then add the .10 back in. This means you're not paying taxes on the .10/m. This keeps your withholdings lower and with your deductions for being on the road, you shouldn't have to pay anything come April. However the down side is it shows your earnings lower if you need to borrow money. As well it pays less into your social security account. So it all looks like this: 2500 miles @ .30= 750.00 minus .10 = 500.00 You are taxed on the $500, then the 250 per diem is added back in.
Pasmurf, you're mistaken. I am on the inside at Stevens and I assure you and anyone else, Stevens does NOT pay an ADDITIONAL .10 per mile as per diem. They simply don't TAX .10/mile. You start at .30 and that's what they pay. NOT .40. Sorry to pop your bubble.
Stevens pays HHG miles (Short Miles), Live Unload at Grocery Warehouses 2100-0500.....expect to function as a robot pulling a reefer. I consider CR England and Stevens as birds of the same feather.
Most refer companies(especially training companies) function that way. If you pull refer chances are very high you will wait to be unloaded and loaded and be done in the early am. But pulling refer or dry van is what some people want, me included. I do not want to deal with the issues or work involved in flatbed or tankers. I prefer no touch and have touched 1 load(a pallet with soda on it tilted and I needed to restack it) since I started 3 1/2 years ago. I make decent money for what I do and believe you get what you put into a job. I am also old so old school is they way I go.
