Which company do I choose?
Posted by GandalfTheSleigh@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Got one offer for a local gig which would have me home on the weekends. Flatbed. 1099. Guaranteed 1500$ take home a week, his other driver brings in 2,500-3,000$ most weeks. No insurance, no APU, can’t take the truck home so it’s a 1 hour commute home and to pickup.
Second offer is with a mega. Local regional gig. Home Friday nights, leave Monday morning. 1800-2,000 a week gross. Insurance. 401K. Newer truck with APU and fridge. Can take the truck home. Company isn’t the worst but doesn’t have stellar reviews. 100% touch freight.
Which would you choose?
tvieno@reddit
Are you using your own truck? No? Then why are they treating you like a 1099 contractor and not a W2 employee?
Chillimaniac@reddit
Sounds like the mega is a dedicated which can be really good if it fits your personality. I despise 1099s so I would go with the mega for a starter since it sounds like it’s a dedicated route. I don’t like megas either but they do have a place for starting out and they got great amenities and there’s many thing you don’t have to worry about while learning the way of the road.
GandalfTheSleigh@reddit (OP)
I’ve been driving for 10+ years but haven’t been OTR in 5+. Just looking for decent money and good home time but the thought of no 401K freaks me out as I’m almost 40. What’s the deal with 1099’s? I don’t know much about them.
EnderAT93@reddit
Paid like a contractor but treated like a w2. All the downsides, none of the benefits. You pay more in taxes. If you aren't driving a truck that you own, you should always be W2.
GandalfTheSleigh@reddit (OP)
I was mostly leaning this way anyway, but this definitely sealed the deal for me. I don’t wanna pay taxes at the end of the year. I have three dependents, but still think I’d be fucked.
Red_Sox0905@reddit
You're supposed to pay them quarterly I do believe. Along with social security.
Chillimaniac@reddit
Ah my bad. But yeah everyone seems to have covered why I hate 1099. Dedicated route with megas can be neat. I used to do Cracker Barrel at Werner and I liked it for what it was. If you got the physical fitness to do it I’d say it’s a good option.
Acrobatic_Ocelot_461@reddit
Yeah, I've got a union pension and a 401k waiting for me 2 years away, I don't want to be that old, broken down driver who dies in their truck in the back of a Petro somewhere and only gets discovered because of the smell.
I never thought about that until I got older and thankfully I found a good union job so I can hang up my keys and just be that old dude who's out there fishing every day.
GandalfTheSleigh@reddit (OP)
That happened to my husband and I once in Pennsylvania. Woke up to the police at the truck next to us. Dude died in between the driver and passenger seat, reaching for his phone. He’d been there for days. Scary.
Acrobatic_Ocelot_461@reddit
It does indeed happen. I've seen it too.
Zodi88@reddit
You'll pay your own taxes as a contractor. That $1500 will be closer to $1000.
ToeSimilar5163@reddit
10 years exp? Gotta be better options than these 2. Albeit im biased after serving my time OTR, would never willingly do it again
GandalfTheSleigh@reddit (OP)
In a very rural area. Having trouble finding something that can get me home weekly.
navlgazer9@reddit
What’s the school bus drivers get paid ?
deezkeys098@reddit
Take that 1500 take home and -30% you will make about that much at the mega I believe
Admirable_Lab_7867@reddit
Job #1 sounds like theyre full of shit and 1099 is always a bad deal for drivers
Job #2 sounds like dollar general
Id say keep looking for different jobs
GandalfTheSleigh@reddit (OP)
Family Dollar! 🤣
I’m struggling finding jobs in my area as I’m in a very rural area, 2 1/2 hours away from the nearest metro.