Five Star Premium Trucking Beware of the "partnership" deal. Brandon Florida

In today's economy, one must always be on the lookout for the scammers.  Usually small, these companies are willing to do whatever it takes to get their particular job/product/service accomplished at whatever cost to you, the unemployed, it takes.

In this particular case, I was informed several times in the pre-hire period that their only concern was my safety and comfort; that I am a partner in this venture, and therefore I was not to miss out on sleep, talk on the phone while driving, or even do anything slightly illegal as "they" understood that I was NOT going to risk my CDL for them. 

Unfortunately, there was not a single thing about this company that was legal.  From the minute I got into the truck, I was running fast and hard playing catch-up because dispatching was crap.  I was constantly being called from someone in their family for one reason or another so I was constantly on the phone while driving.  And I was constantly going without sleep and driving out of hours.  When I ran out of hours, the boss told me to make the run anyway, and she would take full responsibility if I should get caught.  She must really think I'm stupid if she thinks D.O.T. is going to let me get away with that! ! !

The main reason I'm writing this is because of the "partnership" or "equality" that was stressed so hard.  There was none.  The partnership only allowed ALL the bills to be equally shared with my self.  I was paid 40% of the load.  I also paid 40% of the bills.  After insurance, maintenance, and extraneous cost were deducted, I was lucky to make in the neighborhood of $266.00/wk.  That is just about how much I made on unemployment.  In a world where I should be making a minimum of $1,000.00/wk, this company used the partnership dialogue to insinuate itself into my confidence.  When I'm thinking I'm secure in this partnership for safety reasons, I'm really being used to pay for their truck, the truck's maintenance costs, and other expenses. 

When the husband told me over the phone that he is my "boss" and I have to do as he tells me, then he just threw the 1099 out the window, and blew the "partnership" all to hell. (because they were using the 1099 and partnership to circumvent the laws to maximize their profits.)  Believe me when I tell you that that is a VERY common practice, and you have to carefully watch your employer when he/she/they want to use the 1099 on you.

Well; when the cost of fuel suddenly rose significantly, the truck was no longer able to support itself.  When I make 40%, and fuel is eating up 60%, and you're taking dollar a mile freight,  it doesn't take a mental giant to figure out that there is no money for anything else.  Good thing too; because i had already decided I was going to quit before I killed someone, or got arrested.

So.  I took my $211.00  paycheck and not only have I screwed up my unemployment, but when I asked for a letter to give to the unemployment people to show why I am no longer employed, the request was denied for no reason at all.

So.  Remember these thing and use them throughout life religiously:

One.     Get everything in writing.
Two.     Keep a personal log/diary of every conversation, change, or irregularity. 
Three.  Research anything that isn't absolutely clear to you.
Four.    And remember. . names, dates, and places; always.