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Newbie Questions PLEASE

W

wayneg26

Seasoned Expediter
My name is Roy,


I have a few questions PLEASE,
I am going to be Teaming with my step-son, We would like some questions answered before we commit to this.

1. Truck will be on with Tri-State Good Bad?

2. We are required to pay fuel we get 60% plus surcharge GOOD Bad?

3. Truck is an 2007 truck has generator on it........

will my step-son and I be able to make a living off of this does this seem good?

Please any help good or bad...

Please
 
Lawrence

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
W

wayneg26

Seasoned Expediter
With paying for fuel do we get that taken off of our statements I understand that owner has a Fuel Card with flying J.....

I like the truck and all its an Auto Shift TOTAL PLUS......


Living I mean will we both be able to pay our light bills such as Rent / Phone / Internet / so on bills I pay car insure also.......

I am getting only 800.00 a month now unemployment will I make more then that a month??????

Thanks
 
cheri1122

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Roy: the answer you seek is one that no one here has - you'll just have to find out through experience. Odds are you will make much more [most weeks], but it's not reliable. Some weeks find you in the wrong place, or what was the right place last month, but isn't now, or the truck needs repair that takes all week - even if you don't pay the bill, you're still not earning while it's down, and expenses continue.
Best advice is to start with money in reserve, and maintain it [adding to it as you go] for the slow and downtimes.
Best of luck! :)
 
A

adambail1

Seasoned Expediter
cheri1122 said:
Roy: the answer you seek is one that no one here has - you'll just have to find out through experience. Odds are you will make much more [most weeks], but it's not reliable. Some weeks find you in the wrong place, or what was the right place last month, but isn't now, or the truck needs repair that takes all week - even if you don't pay the bill, you're still not earning while it's down, and expenses continue.
Best advice is to start with money in reserve, and maintain it [adding to it as you go] for the slow and downtimes.
Best of luck! :)
Click to expand...
I have a cousin who had a similar problem. I was about to post a question. But then you have answered so well..i don't need to. I guess downtime calls for difficult measures. Anyways...although its hard to do what you have said...it really is the best way to deal with the issue. Great answer i think
 
Jefferson3000

Jefferson3000

Expert Expediter
Lawrence said:
Welcome Roy!


Good.


Good.


Very Good.


That depends what your standard of living.
Click to expand...

I agree with Lawrence's assessment. I will add that, as far as the truck goes, you won't know until you run it. Also, making a living is possible. A lot of factors weigh into this though. Learning what loads to accept and not is always a factor. Ask the owner for help. The good thing is, you will be gaining experience while on someone elses' tab. It's hard to learn everything you need to know, while trying to make your first truck payment. If your owner is available, I would make use of his wisdom as much as possible. He already has a vested interest in you succeeding.

Good luck!
 
greg334

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Roy,
Before you go and sign with the owner, I have a bit of advice.

1 - always get a contract, before you even sign it have someone (a lawyer) read it and explain it to you. No contract, move on.

2 - even with the contract, make sure you are explained by the owner what the responsibilities are for whom - who takes care of fuel, FSC at 100% or does the owner take a cut, what happens if there is an accident, what about breakdowns, et cetra ...

3 - go through orientation for the company if you can. This allows you to learn how the company works and is to the advantage of the owner.

4 - Never forget you will be paying taxes on that money. It is not like unemployment, you are going to pay higher SS taxes (full amount) and be in a category that might not make it worth the hassle. Check with a tax expert (CPA or EA).
 
P

pjjjjj

Veteran Expediter
If it's anything like here in Canada, if you go off unemployment to become self employed, you can't really change your mind if it ends up not working for you.

You'll be self employed so any earnings you make won't count as employment earnings for the future if you were to ever need UI again.

The owner may take an 'escrow' from your settlement until you reach a certain level, so you won't want to start with zero in your pocket.

If it were possible it would be a lot better if you didn't have those home payments to worry about, would it be possible for one of you to give up your rented property?

What if your son-in-law wants to go home more than you do? What if vice-versa? Will the carrier/owner allow you to drive as a solo during that time? Could this cause potential probs btwn you and son-in-law or daughter?

Everything you've mentioned sounds good, but as with most things, the devil is in the details, so make sure you think about ALL the details before you sign up!

A good way to learn what the details are, would be to spend a night or three reading wayyyy back into EO posts. If you think something isn't really going to apply to you, it may be because you don't know enough yet to know that it WILL apply to you.

Greg is also right, make sure you have someone explain every detail of the contract to you before you sign so you know what you're getting into. Not that it is scary or bad, just best to have no surprises after the fact.
 
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