I Thought The Industry Needed Drivers?

There are so many times in trucking where it's up to you to figure out solutions to problems, such as missing documents, policy issues, planning and more. More often than not, my first line of thought is "What can I personally do to bring about a solution?"

I agree wholeheartedly, and this is why anyone who has owned a business in the past will agree that driving a truck is more like running a business than being an employee. You have an endless variety of responsibilities and challenges to face, and most of the time, there is no one to help and no obvious answer. You just have to be resourceful and figure it out the best you can.

Experience is so valuable in trucking. One of my favorite sayings is, "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment."

How true is that, right?

Turtle - As a contractor the company absolutely receives 1099’s. However, the 2 companies I previously mentioned were seeking proof of income for me personally, not for my company. As a single member LLC all profits pass through company to me and is done so via a Schedule C form. For a single member LLC to issue 1099 or W-2 to its member is illegal. Certainly employees for the company get W-2. Both recruiters at Stevens and Prime whom were reading a script off a screen we’re both adamant. As previously stated I sent Stevens documentation from QuichBooks for Annual sales as well as corporate structure documentation but that was not acceptable. I DID inquire if there was anything else I could share besides taxes and was advised no. Recruiter from Prime said if I provided 6 months employment from a company I could re-apply.

Sorry that I’m not a forum officienado yet and unable to “QUOTE” and reply. But I will get there.

Brett - I agree with your post whole heartedly “mistakes and experience”. So correct.

Make it a great day. (It is a choice)

Jon

Turtle - As a contractor the company absolutely receives 1099’s. However, the 2 companies I previously mentioned were seeking proof of income for me personally, not for my company. As a single member LLC all profits pass through company to me and is done so via a Schedule C form. For a single member LLC to issue 1099 or W-2 to its member is illegal. Certainly employees for the company get W-2. Both recruiters at Stevens and Prime whom were reading a script off a screen we’re both adamant. As previously stated I sent Stevens documentation from QuichBooks for Annual sales as well as corporate structure documentation but that was not acceptable. I DID inquire if there was anything else I could share besides taxes and was advised no. Recruiter from Prime said if I provided 6 months employment from a company I could re-apply.

Sorry that I’m not a forum officienado yet and unable to “QUOTE” and reply. But I will get there.

Brett - I agree with your post whole heartedly “mistakes and experience”. So correct.

Make it a great day. (It is a choice)

Jon

Jon C,

This industry struck me (when I started in 2014) as very much like my military experience; hurry-up-and-wait, SNAFU, FUBAR, etc.

Also, similar to my military time, persistence pays off. Sometimes you just have to talk to a different person. With Prime, I’m sure Kearsey will give the best, most accurate advice and help.

Hang in there.

the 2 companies I previously mentioned were seeking proof of income for me personally

You're misunderstanding their intent. They are required to verify what you've been doing and where you've been for the last three years. That is a requirement dictated by the FMCSA. It is a result of 9/11 fallout. They are trying to keep terrorists from doing damage with trucks like they did with airplanes.

The other members can jump in, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but my understanding of the reason behind this, is proof that you were physically in the USA, and not off learning how to turn a truck into a weapon of jihad. So, having said that, do you have any business owner contacts that can vouch for you being in the USA during that time period? Letters written on their company letterhead, yada yada yada...... It might be in your best interest to reach out and request this from some people, so you have some bases covered. Or, ya know, file your taxes, THEN re apply.

Dangit! You were writing as I was, but your post finger was faster than mine!

the 2 companies I previously mentioned were seeking proof of income for me personally

You're misunderstanding their intent. They are required to verify what you've been doing and where you've been for the last three years. That is a requirement dictated by the FMCSA. It is a result of 9/11 fallout. They are trying to keep terrorists from doing damage with trucks like they did with airplanes.

Jon, I know your situation is frustrating and I think you’ve gotten some good advice on how to move forward. I’m confused though that you are all tied up in knots about generating a 1099 or a schedule C because of personal integrity. Last time I checked, not filing taxes isn’t exactly a moral high ground.

I’m not saying you should lie or cheat the system to get a job. But I think you need to rethink the tone of blaming the industry or individual companies that are simply asking for legal tax documents to prove what you’ve been doing for the last couple years.

This forum talks a lot about taking personal responsibility and not badmouthing employers for driver errors. It’s easy for drivers to point at “the company” or dispatch when most of the time they need to take a look in the mirror first.

You can and will get through this obstacle, but remember it’s your mistake not theirs.

Just my two cents on the topic

Mr. Wild Bill - Respectfully, I try not to judge others as I have no idea what they are going through in their day to day life / you have NO IDEA what losses and life I’ve been through the past 2 years that have had me filing tax extensions. To question my morals and ethics should be below you having never met me. And, if you thoroughly read my responses you would see I’m blaming nobody and own my actions, ALWAYS. I’ve not built a million dollar company that I’m handing to my kids by blaming outside influences for internal action. I have the first 27 years lined up but they didn’t want those.

I’ve got a driving job lined up for after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Appreciate the feedback I’ve been getting. Even the feedback I disagree with.

Jon

I wasn’t trying to pass judgment or question your integrity or background. If my statement came across as doing so, I apologize for my poor choice of words. We’ve all made mistakes and had had life happen to us at times. I was just trying to point out that obstacle wasn’t about the companies rules for documentation.

I’m glad you worked through it and landed something to start your new career and I’m sure you’ll do well. as others have said the skill sets of running a business will help you rise to the top in trucking.

One of the first things I learned about trucking after a 30 year executive leadership career is that My success in my prior career counted for exactly nothing in the trucking world when starting out.

Again I apologize if I offended you.

Apology accepted and appreciated and agree was just a “bad choice of words”.