Independent Contractor As A Company Driver

Is this a thing? Can you be a company driver and still be an independent contractor so that you can decide when you work?

Nope.

Most companies are "forced dispatch", meaning - you cannot refuse a load without a REALLY GOOD REASON (as a company driver).

As a "company driver" (versus a lease op) you are an EMPLOYEE - and you pretty much go WHERE they tell you, WHEN they tell you (within the limits of your HOS).

You put in for home-time, and they will get you there, reasonably close to your requested time/date.

But you can't just call you DM and say "hey, taking the day off today".

An "indépendant contractor" typically is paid on a 1099 (no taxes taken out), and often-times doesn't get benefits (health insurance, unemployment compensation, etc.).

You DO DECIDE "when you work" - even as a company driver. As long as you're making your appointment times (shippers & receivers) - you can "work whenever you want". But when that load comes across the QC, you need to be where you're supposed to be/when you're supposed to be there.

How you MANAGE YOUR TIME - is YOUR BUSINESS - as long as the truck is where it needs to be, ON TIME.

Rick

I didn't think so-But I thought I'd throw it out there. I was thinking there might be companies that don't pay benefits and strictly use ICs since it would lower their costs. I guess in this industry that is just a company that would use OOs over CDs.

Thanks!