Freaking out

[mikeangel]

My husband (Mike) just started driving for an OO thru Panther. He pays all his own expenses (gas, food etc). We were told $1000 per week average is what most people make on their settlements. We just got his first settlement Friday and I am freaking out! Panther forewarned Mike that his first pay will have one time only deductions on it and not to base his normal pay on the first two or three pays BUT we still don't know what to expect. OO is paying $0.80/mile, insurance, QualComm fees, and upkeep on the cargo van (and whatever else there might be). Mike's first settlement is like Greek to us! There were the first time fees Panther talked about (drug test, physical, and processing fees) but there is also 40% for the guy he is driving for!! This amounted to $445.!!!!! After all the deductions, Mike made $230. He got his 55% POD from each load but those were only enough for gas and food (etc) while on the road and sometimes those weren't even enough. He is locked into a 3 month contract with this guy. I am hoping the 40% was only a one time thing but am afraid it's not and we are getting screwed. There are abbreviations on the settlement that are confusing ...... LO, CS, PU, PRP/MSC and what is occupational insurance?!?!?!? I know that there is a lot of questions on here but any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cheri1122]

Um, just how much research did the two of you do, before signing that contract?
The 60/40 split (60% to whomever pays for the fuel, plus all fuel surcharge) is standard, so yes, you can expect the owner to keep 40% every week. That's not unreasonable, as it's his equipment, and he's responsible for maintenance & repairs, plates, etc.
Worker's Comp is insurance required of independent contractors, which is what your husband is - if he gets hurt on the job, it will pay benefits.
I'm not real clear on all the abbreviations - maybe Pelicn, or someone familiar with Panther can help you with that part.
I suggest you do a LOT of catchup reading here, because, no offense, but you really ought to know more than you do at this point.

 

[mikeangel]

I know we should know more --- my husband signed the contract. I don't think he really read thru it (stupid decision but it's done) because he had already went thru orientation and was just going to sign "some papers" and then get started. I realize we are naive as heck - that's why we are on here asking questions. The OO never told us anything about the 40/60 split and I can't tell from the settlement if Mike is getting all the fuel surcharge....... sorry just wanted opinions/answers.

 

[LDB]

OK, my answer will seem somewhat harsh, mainly because it is but that's not aimed directly at you it's aimed at getting the attention of anyone reading this thread to hopefully prevent this happening to others. Your post shows you didn't know nearly enough about this career before getting started because some of this is expediting 101. The most common arrangement is a 60/40 split between owner and operator. The side that gets 60% also should be getting 100% of the fuel surcharge money. In my opinion the operator should get 100% of any hand load money and 50% of any detention or layover money. The operator should pay their own occ/acc insurance and the owner should pay everything else as far as QC etc., maint. and other expenses. The side paying fuel should get 100% of the fsc plus 100% of any deadhead pay and bonus pay they can negotiate. The owner apparently is getting 80 cents per loaded mile plus fsc. Your husband should be getting 48 cents per mile plus all the fsc at a minimum.

Who told you $1000 a week per settlement? Did the owner give you names and numbers of others driving for him to talk to? Did you meet any expediters at a truckstop and talk to them about the business? If the Panther recruiter told you $1000 a week average that was most likely an estimate of the gross to the truck. The owner has to get a cut out of that or there would be no point in owning and running vans. If the owner told you $1000 per week as what you should make they should have provided lots of documentation to back that up.

Before anyone gets into this business they need to go back at least one full year in the general, newbies and recruiter forums reading every thread that remotely applies to them or looks remotely educational. Before driving for an owner they need to get a copy of the contract they'll drive under and pay an attorney to review it. People get into this career with no more research or thought than whether it's Big Mac or Quarter Pounder day. This is a career. This is one's livelihood. It has to be taken as seriously as anything in life ever was or will be and studied and acted on accordingly.

Again, I am not beating up on you, I'm beating up on everyone reading this to try to keep at least some from facing disaster.

 

[cheri1122]

Well, all you can do now is play catchup. Read everything here on the Newbies & Recruiter Forums, and also, have a talk with the owner, to ask the questions you haven't already. Some of the settlement terms can be explained by asking payroll at Panther, too.
What you need is information, and then you can work out a budget. There are a lot of helpful tips on saving money on the road here, and I hope you find and use as many as possible, because the income from a cargo van isn't going to go as far as you'd like, IMO.
I'd be happy to offer what help I can, as far as minimizing expenses on the road, if you'll send me a pm, ok?
Cheer up, it's not the end of the world - just gonna be a rough patch, for a while.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Get your contract out and read what it actually has to say. You really need to do this first and if you cannot walk away you might need a lawyer.

 

[cheri1122]

While I agree that you need to read & understand the contract, I believe you should abide by it, unless it's clearly unreasonable, because it was signed, even if in ignorance. In just 3 months, you will have learned enough, hopefully, to be ready the next time, to sign again, or walk away. It's not the owner's fault that your husband didn't understand the contract, or even insist on seeing it before going to orientation, is it? Call it a learning experience, but I think you should follow the terms you agreed to for the 3 months, then decide where to go from there.

 

[Tempest]

As a van owner at panther I can tell you he is not PAYING 80 cpm he is GETTING it. Looking at your post I would say you are on a 60/40 split. taking that into account you should only see the 40% deduction and the AIG deduction from now on. You should be able to figure you own pay like this:
miles X .48 (60% of .80) + miles X FSC this will give you everything but the extras which I cant guess how he agreed to pay those but they are usually only a very small part of your pay. You will never get the full rate per mile unless you own the van. As for the $1000 per week, while it will happen from time to time dont hold your breathe. realistically an average of $600-$800 is a better guess. I have spreadsheets that will help you track your pay as you go if you would like them, I only need a few details to set them up for you.

 

[mikeangel]

We are planning on sticking the contract out - that isn't a question. The owner is the one who showed us a settlement from his other driver and it had over $1000. Now we are wondering if that was before his 40% was taken off. Plus he told Mike numerous times you can make $1000/week. He NEVER told us anything about taking 40% and we both asked many questions before Mike left to go OTR. The contract was already signed by that point but the knowledge would have been nice to know. ..... I am on here for the info so don't worry about offending but try to be nice. LOL. Anyways - Mike had been unemployed for 6-7 months before this so when the offer came in, he jumped on it. He was wanting to get us caught up fast and this SEEMED like a good way to do it. His mom's husband had worked over the road (not expediting) for a company that paid him. He had useful info but none of us were really clear on a lot of things (as you can tell). As soon as I can figure out how to send a PM I will (to cheri1122) and thanks again. Also to Tempest .... THANK YOU. That helps a lot!! And the spreadsheet would be awesome. Just PM me (once again - I gotta figure out the PM thing!) and let me know what info you need.

 

[pelicn]

To send a PM, just click on the username of the person you want to send it to. A menu drops down with the option of sending them a PM

 

[mikeangel]

"If'n" all I wanted to do is grab a check, I wouldn't be doing this. I am trying to be civil but I am also seriously offended. I have supported this household for the last 6-7 months and am making my own money. I am a very intelligent woman and my husband likes that. The only reason I am on here is - I found the site and I can type faster than my husband. He has all the same questions I have been asking and wants the answers as much as I do. So before you assume I am a money grabbing - ask more questions and have some respect. Because you are definitely coming across as an @sshole. PS - Leo had a lot more respect in his reply and wasn't trying to **** me off.

 

[cheri1122]

You go, girl, lol - the Col was definitely out of line with that one. Maybe his marriage isn't a partnership, (if he is married - I don't know) but that doesn't mean no one else's is.

 

[Tempest]

Good to see you figured out the PM thing. I will set up the sheet as soon as I have the info. As for anyone else driving for panther and needing a good way to track your income plz feel free to PM me. I dont know about the structure of other companies so I cant say if they will work there or not but more than happy to give it a go I try to get in atleast once a week and see whats going on here so dont think I am ignoring you if you dont hear from me straight away

 

[arrbsthw]

I agree that the Col is overstepping his bounds. If she is
married to him, it is definately her business whether she
is in the truck with him or not.

Col, I have watched your comments on here for quite a while
and you are a rude, rude man. I know you are educated also because I read a post that you did that was not in the
"hillbilly language". Why don't you use that education when
you post on here?

 

[TeamCaffee]

Team = Two people working towards the same goal! You do not both have to be driving to be a good team. With you at home and him on the road you will both end up with your respective jobs to keep the team moving towards common goals.

You are asking all the right questions be it a little late but you are still getting good advice. The fear seems to be out of your posts now that you realize there is lot of people out here more than willing to be there for you! Not with the Cat so cannot help you that way but I can say “We are also pulling for you!!”

 

[mikeangel]

Thanks again for all the support. We are fully aware that we should have looked into a lot of this BEFORE but since we did not, all we can do is "catch up". We are going to call the owner today and ask for a copy of the contract and find out more info from him too. I guess I'm a little upset with him still simply because he knew without a shadow of a doubt we were naive and even though we asked a lot of questions, we really didn't find out much from him. I have learned a lot more on here in the last 12 hours then I did when we talked to him. We just didn't get clear answers ..... I am not saying he is to blame (we should have read the contract and looked into more) but I wish he would have been clearer ..... Anyways - Thank you!!!!

 

[mikeangel]

My wife posted a lot of comments last night now it's my turn. I know It was stupid for me to jump into this without more research. Driving is what I love to do I have a class B cdl. Drove mainly garbage trucks and I wanted to give expediting a try, so far I really enjoy It. The question I have is after I work out my contract. How would I go about being an o/o. I know there's more to it. I know every things your responsibility i.e fuel,insurance,repairs,plates,satellite fees. Wouldn't it be worth it not to pay someone 40% of your settlement. Any help would be appreciated. P.S thank you Caffee,Tempest,Cheri. for your help.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Wow after that great post mikeangel not so sure I am interested in giving you encouraging words.

 

[mikeangel]

SORRY ABOUT THAT -my hubby is fired up ...... we did some editing and took out some stuff. Let's just say he is frustrated and not meaning it towards everyone. We still appreciate any assistance.

 

[jaminjim]

Gee thats a great way to get more assistance. Makes everyone want to help as much as we can.

If that is the edited version I would have liked to read the first version.