Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
N00b Questions You (Probably) Have But Were Afraid To Ask!
Dan's in control:
I feel a little more in control that way... a little quicker reaction time should I need to slow down fast.
My brain is about to explode: A driver who considers milliseconds important! When the brakes are punched, the cruise control shuts off faster than anything you can do.
unless you're driving with your foot on the brake, my way is quicker. As soon as I take my foot off the throttle, the truck starts to slow.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
A year of Per Diem pay - the results
Dan considers:
Well, what's the point of this exercise then?
People want to know, when it's all said an done, if it's better to take the per diem.
You make it look like taking the per diem was a huge ($1700) bonus. That's not the case, all things considered.
You haven't been on this forum long enough, and have not searched back on all the per diem talk.
I used my earnings numbers to a certain extent, and added a generic tax rate. I am not a tax professional, so I can't talk about anyone else's situation. But with all the talk that's been posted here on Trucking Truth, I made a point to put out some realistic experience here. You're welcome.
Your mileage will certainly vary.
Okay then.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
N00b Questions You (Probably) Have But Were Afraid To Ask!
I never use cruise control. I don't find it tedious at all to keep my foot in it.
You might not be aware of it, but you probably **** off other drivers on a regular basis.
It's very annoying to be driving with your cruise set at 60 and be near someone that's fluctuating between 59 and 61, or thereabout.
Can't understand why anyone would choose not to use the CC on an open highway (barring weather/traffic concerns).
Trust me Dan, 6-String is very aware of what he is doing.
Besides he drives for Old Dominion...you needn't worry about being held up by him unless he is lugging up a hill. He's likely cruising by you at 65-67.
Yeah, in that case (running up against the governor) I understand. I do the same, in fact. I feel a little more in control that way... a little quicker reaction time should I need to slow down fast. But when the speed limit is below 65 I use the CC.
Around here, it seems like those OD guys are set at about 64. Our trucks are set at 65-66 on cruise and that's usually a wee bit faster than the OD guys.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
A year of Per Diem pay - the results
I did not include any adjustment for per diem in any way with the "no per diem" side. Be honest, just how many drivers keep track for per diem purposes? My number represent the company's effect on a driver's payroll, and the driver can do whatever after he/she gets their check.
Well, what's the point of this exercise then?
People want to know, when it's all said an done, if it's better to take the per diem.
You make it look like taking the per diem was a huge ($1700) bonus. That's not the case, all things considered.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
N00b Questions You (Probably) Have But Were Afraid To Ask!
I never use cruise control. I don't find it tedious at all to keep my foot in it.
You might not be aware of it, but you probably **** off other drivers on a regular basis.
It's very annoying to be driving with your cruise set at 60 and be near someone that's fluctuating between 59 and 61, or thereabout.
Can't understand why anyone would choose not to use the CC on an open highway (barring weather/traffic concerns).
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
A year of Per Diem pay - the results
This site has a useful article on the subject of per diem pay.
I think Errol, in calculating his "no per-diem" taxes, forgot to factor in the standard meal allowance of $63/day. That would have reduced his "no per-diem" tax liability significantly. I think the "$1700 the better" claim is way off. Not to mention the fact that taking the per diem cost him about a 20% reduction in his (company paid) social security contributions.
I started a Per Diem deduction with Swift in January last year, with the plans of publishing the results on Trucking Truth.
Well, here's the results. The gross pay was taken from my 2016 W2s, the miles are from my paychecks – I keep a spreadsheet of them all. (Yes, it's part of my OCD)
The bottom line, with Per Diem, over the year, I ended up with about $1,700 extra cash in my pocket. This is not part of a tax refund, this is the result of taking the Per Diem offer from Swift.
I used TurboTax to do my taxes. I ended up with itemized deductions, but there is nothing in the “Job Expenses” section at all. I did a search for “Per Diem” in Turbo Tax, and got almost no results. My taxes have been sent in and accepted by the IRS.
Here's my information. The tax rate is a national average, everybody's is different. Yes, there is a $0.08 difference between Per Diem and non-Per Diem CPM pay, but I still come out ahead.
2016 With Per Diem
2016 No Per Diem
W2 Gross Pay less Per Diem
Per Diem Pay
W2 Gross Pay
Per Diem
31,951.74
8,407.66
39,717.05
0.00
Tax Rate 14.3%
-4,569.10
0.00
-5,679.54
0.00
27,382.64
8,407.66
34,037.51
0.00
Net + Per Diem paid
35,790.30
34,037.51
Extra cash in pocket
$1,752.79
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Need advice about written guarantee
Evening to all, from NJ anyhow. So I received two invitations to CDL training school. TMC transport. CRST transport. Here is where I need advice from you experienced folk. I asked the recruiters from both schools if they would email a guarantee of schooling with my felony record being known. I was informed that a letter of pre-hire is customary.
My concern is that I will get to Iowa and be in school, only to be told to go home because of a reconsideration or something came up? I have disclosed all, with proper paperwork as well in regards to my criminal history, MVC, employment history etc. I know I'm jumping the gun a bit here, but I have to cover all my basis. What do you fine folks think about this?
-Lance
Guarantees? LOL? There are none for drivers in relation to their company.
With your record, you will probably get a little extra scrutiny from those observing when you get there. But you're probably used to that by now. Like others have said, the orientation and training period are your interview. Maintain honest, straightforward, positive attitude throughout. Be prepared to have to deal with some real a*holes that could mess things up for you. They might even intentionally "test" your temperament by putting you in some "situations."
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
How shady is the industry really? (Multiple logbooks and unplugging GPS trackers?)
Oh yeah, and the trite popcorn, "jokes" that are plastered all over various trucking forums are seriously inane.
Ryan, I think they are smart and funny, sometimes. Such as when the thread features a troll that's just there to jerk some chains, or someones sock-puppet created to be a foil for the enlightened ones. Which are you?
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
N00b Questions You (Probably) Have But Were Afraid To Ask!
We're talking more than milliseconds and it could certainly make a difference in some situations