Comments By Chicon

I can tell you that driving 62.5 mph sucks, when the speed limit is set higher than that. I can tell you do not step on the grass at orientation. I can tell you that when you feel like you are going to break the steering wheel on that stupid simulator because the jerk in control of the program runs a car into the back of you for no reason and knocks you off of a mountain, you let go of the steering wheel, they write it in your report. I can tell you that everyone there thinks they're still in the military. I can tell you that out of a class of thirty plus, only 5 made it back to get a truck. I can also tell you that you may or may not get a 48 hour reset. I can tell you that they could possibly blackmail you if you happen to decide that you don't want to do OTR or flatbed or that someone died and you need time off from training to attend the funeral. I can also tell you that they do know what they are doing and they are very good at it. Just wondering if you have taking into consideration the physical demands of flatbed. The heaviest tarp you have in the truck is 120lbs. When it's rolled up, is not that bad, but remember, you have to unroll and roll up and spread, secure most of the time two of them in every type of weather, so they become heavier, more slippery and let's not forget to mention the wind. The dangers of the job are real to. My trainer almost fell off of a load and it wasn't anything he did wrong. There's a lot more danger as well just in the securement of the load. I'm not telling you any of this to guide you away from it. It's just a lot more to it than you think there is.

Best of luck to you

I'll try and make this short. Got my CDL in February of this year, went to orientation for 2 weeks with a company and then 3 weeks on the road with a driver trainer. Was getting ready to start my 4th week , when I had a friend die. I contacting my driver manager via email, cause it was a Sunday, I explained I would have to take a week off of training to attend the funeral, and decide if I wanted to continue to do OTR. He called me the next morning and told me that since I wasn't where I needed to be with the number of backs I needed and the fact that I was on the fence with what I wanted, then they didn't want to continue. He then told me I could quit, but I wouldn't get my last check, or they could terminate me, I would get my last check, but they would put something on my DAC , because I apparently signed something stating I would stay there for six months. I don't recall signing anything like that and don't know why I would have to, I paid for my own school, they did nothing.

So now for the back story, after the first week with my trainer, they called and asked how everything was going , because I was flagged as high risk. I asked why, was told that I refused to get out and look. That happened 1 time in the training yard. Then he said that I take my hands off the wheel when in trouble. This happened on the simulator, I thought I would break the steering wheel, never happened in an actual truck. I scored extremely high on everything in the training yard. As far as my number of backs, my trainer and I were team driving from day one, we stopped to fuel and that was it, so I got 17 times in 3 weeks.

So back to the original question, can they legally put any of that on my DAC and not say what really happened.

As a 1099 independent contractor you are responsible to pay "both ends" of your Social Security and Medicare tax. That is 15.65% of your gross income right off the bat. You had better figure a MINIMUM of 15% for Federal and State taxes. In order to avoid interest and penalties (Oh.......the IRS loves those!), you should be making Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments. That is......paying taxes on the money that you estimate you will make in the upcoming quarter.....IN ADVANCE! If you are truly a Company Driver, your Employer is technically, or actually, breaking the law by paying you as an Independent Contractor. You really need to talk to an Accountant, as you can get in DEEP with the IRS in a hurry!

Good Luck!

Thanks, I don't work for that company, a buddy of mine does, everything they had to offer sounded good (On their website), but then I talked to him and he informed me that it was a 1099 position as a company driver. Of course red flags popped up upon hearing this, that's why I took it straight to truckingtruth.com .thanks again

Hi all, was wondering if any of you are a company driver that gets a 1099 at the end of the year. If so how does your taxes work out? Do you have to pay, do you have enough deductions to break even (Is that possible? ) Looking forward to any advice, comments ect.

It has been a while since I have been on here. I jut saw your post. Thanks for the info. I was curious as to how things are going so far? I am about to start the driving school and TMC is one of the ones I am interested in.

Well Thomas, I made it to week 4 of driver training, had a friend die, told them I needed to take a week, to attend the funeral and decide if I wanted to continue as an OTR driver. Their response was, they didn't want to continue, and I could quit or they could terminate me, I asked the difference and was told that if I quit then I don't get my last check, but if they terminated me, then I would get my check but that they were putting something on my DAC report. You apparently sign something saying you will drive with them for six months, I don't recall that. I didn't go to school there I paid for it on my own so I'm not sure what the six months thing is.Last night, I happened to talk with my roommate and some other guys I was in orientation with, one of them left before I did, and went with another company and the other two are trying to make it six months so that they can leave

Well guys and gal, wanted to give y'all an insight on week one. Days 1-3. The bus leaves at 7am on the dot, no sooner, no later, so if you aren't on it.....find a way home. Day one is class, paperwork, tests, and physicals and drug screens. A heads up to all the idiots out there, if you know you can't pass a drug test, don't waist your time or theirs, you will regret it. Days 2&3 more of the same, paperwork and test, with the exception of spending some time straight line backing and time in the simulator, which by the way, I hate. Oh, I forgot, 4 people got sent home day 1. One guy got a ticket for going 90 in a 60, on the way up, and in the rental car they provided him. The others were sent home for medical reasons. Day four, oh day four, we met our drill instructor for securement. This guy is serious, so if you don't think securing a load is that important...don't bother coming. Day four was securement class, learning their policies and the reasons behind them. Day 5, was range, we learned the way they prefer us to back and maneuver. Day six and seven, hands on securement. There's a lot to it, and they exceed D.O.T regs. It makes me feel great about driving for this company. This week will be all about driving. We will be on the range , road, and simulator. Then I will go home to meet my trainer for the next five weeks, and then hopefully... I will come back to Des Moines and be handed the the keys to one of these beautiful trucks. I just wanted to share my experience so far with TMC, and let everyone know, that if you're wanting to go flatbed and you're not an "idiot" this is the place to be.

Lol, luckily, have a buddy who used to drive for them, he's let me know what to expect...and the grass was one of them...lol

Congratulations

Don't step on the grass up there! You'll understand better when you get there. The old Man is real particular about that grass he's been growing all these years.

OK, thanks Old School, I'll pass the info along.

That's it - they will want to see tax returns. If he was running under the radar and not professionally, some letters from former customers might help prove his history. The letters will need to be notarized.

OK....thanks

Hey all, seriously, I've got a buddy, who is done with school, waiting to test. He is having a hard time getting a pre hire from anywhere, because of work history. He owned a business, and doesn't have any 1099'S to prove this. What are his options?

Chicon, Old School ran a business before becoming a career trucker. He can probably provide some reasonable suggestions on employment proof. Beyond that, copies of tax returns and incorporation documents might be a good place to start.

So worried about helping my friend, I forgot to inform you guys, that I PASSED, I'm now a CDL A , holder, it's off to TMC this weekend.