The Source for Trucking News, Opinions and Trucking Jobs | Oops!

Remember the last post?  Well, everything is the same except it’s no longer Brand X. Now we are going to work for Brand Z.  After my meeting with the IRS (more on that later!), I had lunch with my old dispatcher. He recommended this company as someone I should call. During the conversation, integrity, honesty and ‘having everything out in the open’ kept coming up. Since I’m going to be working for a percentage, that’s important to know I’m getting everything I’m suppose to get. It’s a bigger percentage than Brand X and they have no problem with the drivers talking to the customer about prices. I’ve tried to talk to brokers about rates and it’s like you’re asking for Top Secret information. A few I’ve known for a long time have told me, so I have a rough idea of what’s been going on.

Anyway, now we are going to a company with 10 trucks, I got my own
plates and IRP registration and insurance through OOIDA, which cut my payment in half since I don’t have to carry frivalous coverage that Graebel forced everyone to carry.  I’ve always
gotten plates and insurance through whatever company I was leased to.
Now I feel that much more independent and a little more in control rather than just a glorified
employee. I think this is a good move for
us.   

The owner gave me a couple of the drivers phone numbers so I could get
some other opinions (which were really good, by the way). I think the
biggest recommendation was from my old dispatcher, who is going to work
for them soon, dispatching and bringing his Vegas customers with him.

I hauled a trip for them once and they remembered me more than I
remembered them. Between my reputation and mostly on my old dispatcher’s
recommendation I get hired over the phone. I read the contract online
and the biggest thing I noticed was that there were no ‘hidden
charges’. A lot of companies will give you a great rate, but start
taking it back in other charges.

We are getting a new trailer with new equipment which will be sweet!
After pulling a piece of junk that leaked (great impression when your
hauling expensive stuff!)  Most of the straps I bought myself because I
couldn’t stand the crap I was issued. The biggest problem I had with
equipment was my own company trying to steal it back!  Any time I
needed equipment, it was like pulling teeth and if I did get something
it was junk. I’ve picked up brand new moving trailers filled with
equipment for the household guys, we were the stepchildren of the
company.

We’re looking forward to starting tomorrow.