Arrow Trucking

[dewercs2]

Anyone know what happened to dewercs2? I would call him but I hate to bother him if it's bad news from his accident or medical and he doesn't want to be bothered.

Sorry..... Havent had too much time. I have moved into a new run... non dedicated closed loop regional. its better then the western 6 regional.
I took a pay cut from .37 to .34 cpm to get home. i'm home every weekend for 36hrs plus. Its running LA to AZ to NV. It keeps me off the 5 and dealing with snow.

I'd like to get into the container fleet and i'm on a list here at San Berdo yard.

give me a buzz... i lost all my numbers. i was home one weekend and our house sitter had a bbq while my wife and I was gone. I came home on a 10hr break and found this. was fun till a 3yr old went into the pool without her flooties and panicked. i stepped in and pulled her out. my phone was in my shorts pocket. ugghh.... i now have an iphone which is pretty cool.
If i dont answer im driving. JB doesnt allow drivers to talk on cell phones while driving.

[jvnd1953]

Hey Paul I'm glad you're alive at least. Jumbo, I bet that happy driver was telling you that to recruit you for $2,000. I am not against Arrow and I had a good time until recently. They are hurting big time and in return so are the drivers. I was D/H to our yard in Dallas and from there I got a load to Fort Lewis, Wa. A great run of 2200 mi. They then stacked a load on me from Mist, Or. to Las Vegas. This is because I'm am 7 weeks out. Three weeks past hometime. I am assuming they will D/H me from Vegas but not sure. Arrow has now made Layover pay available after the third day. My last paycheck was $22. This is why I am leaving Arrow when I get home.

[freebirdrfd]

Hey Paul I'm glad you're alive at least. Jumbo, I bet that happy driver was telling you that to recruit you for $2,000. I am not against Arrow and I had a good time until recently. They are hurting big time and in return so are the drivers. I was D/H to our yard in Dallas and from there I got a load to Fort Lewis, Wa. A great run of 2200 mi. They then stacked a load on me from Mist, Or. to Las Vegas. This is because I'm am 7 weeks out. Three weeks past hometime. I am assuming they will D/H me from Vegas but not sure. Arrow has now made Layover pay available after the third day. My last paycheck was $22. This is why I am leaving Arrow when I get home.

"layover pay after the third day"?????? are you for real?? $22. paycheck ?????????? " three weeks past home time" ?????? why do drivers put up with that s**t ???? Is there any other industry that would put up with employee's being treated that way? I DIDN'T THINK SO....... Trucking has some NOT so smart people. but then again, this is the same industry where drivers sleep in cold/hot conditions because they where told too. If drivers would learn to stick-up for themselves, maybe sh*t companies would not exist.

[Jumbo]

Hey Paul I'm glad you're alive at least. Jumbo, I bet that happy driver was telling you that to recruit you for $2,000. I am not against Arrow and I had a good time until recently. They are hurting big time and in return so are the drivers. I was D/H to our yard in Dallas and from there I got a load to Fort Lewis, Wa. A great run of 2200 mi. They then stacked a load on me from Mist, Or. to Las Vegas. This is because I'm am 7 weeks out. Three weeks past hometime. I am assuming they will D/H me from Vegas but not sure. Arrow has now made Layover pay available after the third day. My last paycheck was $22. This is why I am leaving Arrow when I get home.

I thought that he was gonna give me the old "Are you happy with your job driva" speech but it never came. He just kinda asked me about my trailer and my load and told me he was gonna go in and get him somethin to eat and to have a good evening. $22 huh. What you gonna do with all your money?

[Orangetxguy]

Sorry..... Havent had too much time. I have moved into a new run... non dedicated closed loop regional. its better then the western 6 regional.
I took a pay cut from .37 to .34 cpm to get home. i'm home every weekend for 36hrs plus. Its running LA to AZ to NV. It keeps me off the 5 and dealing with snow.

I'd like to get into the container fleet and i'm on a list here at San Berdo yard.

give me a buzz... i lost all my numbers. i was home one weekend and our house sitter had a bbq while my wife and I was gone. I came home on a 10hr break and found this. was fun till a 3yr old went into the pool without her flooties and panicked. i stepped in and pulled her out. my phone was in my shorts pocket. ugghh.... i now have an iphone which is pretty cool.
If i dont answer im driving. JB doesnt allow drivers to talk on cell phones while driving.

Glad to see your still around Paul...you sorta dropped of the end of the planet there.


As far as JB drivers and cell phones....you must be the only one whom follows that policy!!!

[danske]

Hey danske, how ya' doin? We met when I started with Davis. Freebird is right. At the end of the year the employer files a 1099 form and the IRS and state get a copy. You must pay the appropriate taxes. I was self-employed for 23 years prior to driving which I started20 months ago. I get a weekly check for the hours worked. 40 hours will be $800. I will take $150 out immediately and put into a separate acount. I will pay my taxes and medical insurance out of this account. At the end of the year if there is any left, it's mine. Bonus pay. This should be a pretty good bonus with Obama's tax cuts huh?

Yes, I remember you were at Davis, but I don't remember we met. It has been too many miles ago. I am sorry.

I have never been self-employed, so I can't speak from experience. I have received 1099's from savings and investments. I do understand that when you are self-employed you must figure in many things in your compensation(medical benefits, both halves of FICA and Medicare, workman comp, etc.) that most company workers do not. I think if more people understood these differences, then we would all value the cost of our labor and services more and price it accordingly.

My original concern was how the IRS would view your work; as self-employed or as employed? It seems to me that the IRS all powerful and overbearing view is it wants to eliminated all independent contractors so that it can hold accountable someone to collect withholding and other payroll taxes. I thought one indicator of this was whether a worker had his own equipment(eg. truck).

Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee?

Anyhow, you have past experience with self-employment and 1099's. I wish you the very best.

On the part of Arrow Trucking, it is amazing that they have survived this long with their record of maintaining and paying for the repair of their equipment. I imagine there are many other companies in the industry that handle business like this, but you and dewercs2 have expose Arrow's weak practices here on CAD. Thank you.

[dewercs2]

Glad to see your still around Paul...you sorta dropped of the end of the planet there.


As far as JB drivers and cell phones....you must be the only one whom follows that policy!!!

ummmm....yep, sure do.

[dewercs2]

I was at Tonopah TA exit 103 here on I 10 this week and ran into an Arrow Driver. He told me that there were many empty trucks in the Phx yard and that the only way he was making money was by being a trainer. He moved into a International and has been training guys for a couple months now. He did say that the new drivers are getting the miles and once they get 3 months in the miles will dry up.
He did say that the owner Pielsticker came into the offices and let go of Tom Witt and told her son Doug to go home and not come back until she told him to. She's been trying to save the company and has tried a couple things. He did tell me that they are allowed to have Navajo's shop do work on Arrow's trucks now.... Arrow owed JD and Bill about 10,000 bucks for repairs. He said that the owner shot them a check and the bill is paid.
I have been seeing the trucks loaded and running back and forth here on the 10 but nobody seems to have a CB.

I asked about a rumour I had heard from another driver about Arrow getting about 10 CARB legal trucks and having those trucks shuttle trailers out of Ca to AZ. He told me he hadn't heard that one yet but would ask around.

[jvnd1953]

That is true about the owner. She put 10 million of her own money back into the company. Tom Witt and her son both used money meant for improving the drivers lounges in the terminal to buy Bentley autos. One each. She also took those away. I was sitting in the motel waiting for my truck repair and talked to new drivers. They were told they would get 3200 miles a week at orientation. My breakdown was the final straw. That and a $24 paycheck. Waiting over a day for a tow truck and I couldn't run my truck and also stuck on a shippers loading area was also it. Waiting 5 days for a 1 hour repair (replace oil line) and having to pull weeds or loose layover pay was also it. I am home now after 7 weeks on the road. Friday, after my final check is in the bank, I'll give them my notice to quit. I'll arrange to take my truck to Phoenix. In my opinion, Arrow drivers will continue to suffer. No more bonuses, layover is now after 72 hours, long breakdowns, short runs, etc. I will miss the road for sure. I do have some great oppertunities coming up. One is managing a hardware store and the other is driving a dump truck. Interviews are tomorrow. I have the dump truck for sure and it pays $20 an hour. I'll also have the management job as I was told I'm the most qualified of all the other applicants by a long shot. Just have to negotiate a salary. I had my own door and window installing company from 1986 to 2007. I also managed building supply stores before that. I will post again when I am done to let you all know how that goes. Drive and be safe

[devildice]

That is true about the owner. She put 10 million of her own money back into the company. Tom Witt and her son both used money meant for improving the drivers lounges in the terminal to buy Bentley autos. One each. She also took those away. I was sitting in the motel waiting for my truck repair and talked to new drivers. They were told they would get 3200 miles a week at orientation. My breakdown was the final straw. That and a $24 paycheck. Waiting over a day for a tow truck and I couldn't run my truck and also stuck on a shippers loading area was also it. Waiting 5 days for a 1 hour repair (replace oil line) and having to pull weeds or loose layover pay was also it. I am home now after 7 weeks on the road. Friday, after my final check is in the bank, I'll give them my notice to quit. I'll arrange to take my truck to Phoenix. In my opinion, Arrow drivers will continue to suffer. No more bonuses, layover is now after 72 hours, long breakdowns, short runs, etc. I will miss the road for sure. I do have some great oppertunities coming up. One is managing a hardware store and the other is driving a dump truck. Interviews are tomorrow. I have the dump truck for sure and it pays $20 an hour. I'll also have the management job as I was told I'm the most qualified of all the other applicants by a long shot. Just have to negotiate a salary. I had my own door and window installing company from 1986 to 2007. I also managed building supply stores before that. I will post again when I am done to let you all know how that goes. Drive and be safe

What ever you end up doing I wish you the best of luck!

[freebirdrfd]

good luck jvnd1953, i hope it all works out for you

[Jarhed1964]

Went to pick up some parts for the shop at the Kenworth dealer. I've done this a few times before. Before I just signed for the parts because Arrow had an account. This time the parts had to be prepaid which was done with a credit card. I asked the counter guy "what, doesn't Arrow have an account?" and he said not really. They have to pay for each transaction. I also found out that the reason we don't stay at the Days Inn anymore is because Arrow couldn't pay the $10,000 bill which the motel sued for and won.

None of this surprises me! What hotel are you guys staying at in Tulsa now that the Days gave you the boot? I know the feeling, too. I couldnt get a damn cab to show up at the hotel because Arrow wouldnt pay the damn bills. That was way back in early 2008. Told the cab dispatch that I was paying for the ride, not Arrow, and I had cash. Asked me if I was an Arrow driver, I said yes....... no ride.

[jvnd1953]

Staying at the Super 8 now. What a dump. No M/W or Fridge. As for me, I've decided to take the job as a door and window store manager. This is a brand new business. I will build all displays, etc. It's going to be in Pasadena, Ca. I have to drive about 15 miles each way. Starting pay could be better but I get a 10% commission, $600 a week cash, and I can do any installations I want until we are fully functional and I need to be in the store the whole time. Pretty good deal. I'll start in a few weeks. I told Arrow on Friday I needed to turn my truck in. Have to call them Monday AM to see if I take a load to Phoenix or Tulsa. It has to be to one of those destinations. I won't take it anywhere else because I'm sure I'll be stuck there for awhile waiting for a load. I want to leave on good terms if possible. I heard that Arrow gets a subsidy from the government for every new driver. I can't seem to confirm this so does any one know for sure? I am also going to apply for unemployment even though I quit. In California, according to website, you can still get unemployment if you're earnings have dropped and/or the employer has cut your pay and you have to quit to seek a better paying job. I know Arrow will contest it but all I have to do is show Arrow is starving existing employees to force them to quit and still hiring new employees. California has different rules than Oklahoma. It is also much more liberal and doesn't take kindly to some of Arrow's tricks. I will keep everyone updated as to how this works. Drive and be safe

[devildice]

Staying at the Super 8 now. What a dump. No M/W or Fridge. As for me, I've decided to take the job as a door and window store manager. This is a brand new business. I will build all displays, etc. It's going to be in Pasadena, Ca. I have to drive about 15 miles each way. Starting pay could be better but I get a 10% commission, $600 a week cash, and I can do any installations I want until we are fully functional and I need to be in the store the whole time. Pretty good deal. I'll start in a few weeks. I told Arrow on Friday I needed to turn my truck in. Have to call them Monday AM to see if I take a load to Phoenix or Tulsa. It has to be to one of those destinations. I won't take it anywhere else because I'm sure I'll be stuck there for awhile waiting for a load. I want to leave on good terms if possible. I heard that Arrow gets a subsidy from the government for every new driver. I can't seem to confirm this so does any one know for sure? I am also going to apply for unemployment even though I quit. In California, according to website, you can still get unemployment if you're earnings have dropped and/or the employer has cut your pay and you have to quit to seek a better paying job. I know Arrow will contest it but all I have to do is show Arrow is starving existing employees to force them to quit and still hiring new employees. California has different rules than Oklahoma. It is also much more liberal and doesn't take kindly to some of Arrow's tricks. I will keep everyone updated as to how this works. Drive and be safe

BOL to you at the new job. And even more luck to you getting unemployment from a broke state.

[jvnd1953]

Thanks devildice. It looks like it won't be unemployment now. I've had shoulder problems with my left side and since I'm left-handed it has made working painful. I went to the doctor and it seems I have a "frozen shoulder". Yeah I know, I never heard of such a thing either. I googled it and was surprised. Anyway, I am now listed as "disabled". He said I could drive a truck short distances but can't handle any freight or throw things like chains and straps. I have to start therapy immediately or risk loosing more use of my shoulder. I also have to start a daily home exercise program that is quite painful and can't be done by itself. I told him my wife would help since she would enjoy the "pain" part.LOL. Luckily I signed up for the additional disability insurance with Arrow which is an addition to my state disability. The alternative to therapy is "putting me to sleep" and manually moving the arm. They hate to do this as it sometimes results in broken bones As far as unemploment goes, after researching it I think it would have been approved for a number of reasons. Anybody else in California can do the research or ask me and I will lay it out. With Arrow I will be on medical leave. Just waiting to hear back about the truck. Told them I could take it to Phoenix as a D/H but they have to pay for the bus ride home. We'll see.

[Jarhed1964]

BOL to you at the new job. And even more luck to you getting unemployment from a broke state.

I hear ya!! HAHA!!

I lived in the Pasadena area (Arcadia, then Sierra Madre), then bought a house in Fontana (couldnt afford one in Pasadena), had a great executive level job in Irvine, got laid off, lost the house, lost my axx, lost everything. Moved to NC. Had to get out of that liberal cesspool.

[jvnd1953]

jarhed1964, I hear ya' but your situation is the same as a few million others throughout the nation. Not just California. I am not a big fan of California but it does have the best property tax rate going (1%) and I can tell you something else, I pay $700 a year property tax on a currently valued $400,000 home. How? I bought the house from my parents and in California they can't re-assess the value when property changes hands among family. I pay the same tax my parents paid. I don't know of another state that does this. I wanted to keep politics out of this thread but I have to say this. It's time for a revolution. Not the violent one but the one at the polls. Every American needs to VOTE. The difference this time is you don't vote for an incumbant. Vote everyone out that you can. Put in someone new. Cases like Ted Kennedy being in the Senate over 30 years is obscene. Our forefathers never meant politics to be a career. This has nothing to do with Dem or Repub. None have proven themselves worthy to hold office. NONE. What a message these politicians would get and what a lesson learned. It can be done but only when every American wants it done. Sorry, I'm off the soapbox now. I also want to keep this an Arrow string so if you want to comment fine but lets try not to get off track.

[jvnd1953]

Still waiting for Arrow to tell me what to do. I can only take the truck to Phoenix empty. Doctors orders are no throwing objects such as chains and straps. No lifting heavy objects such as tarps, and no pulling such as bungee cords. Talked to a orthopedic therapist today and he said basically my flatbed days are over. They found the beginning of arthritis in my elbow and forearm today also. All on my left arm and I'm left-handed. A frozen shoulder is very, very painful. The therapy is more and worse pain. Although I was diagnosed in May I thought it was getting better. When they tested my movement again on Monday, it was worse. There are three stages. Freezing, frozen, and thawing. I am currently in the freezing to frozen stage. Each stage can be 4 to 12 months long. Without a 3 time a day home exercise program using a second person and professional therapy it only gets worse until surgery is the only option. I asked my DM if Arrow would fire me or put me on a leave of absence. He didn't know. Still waiting for that answer. We'll see how Arrow handles it. I'll keep updating until I am no longer employed by Arrow as what Arrow does with me may interest other drivers.

[dewercs2]

Heyyyy Guyssss!

Just a quick stop... I'm in Santa Nella and have a drop appointment at 1600 hrs in Lathrop and I cant be early??? for a drop??? Dont know why not but ohwell. Sounds fishy to me but heck i'm still running and not throwing tarps around. I do miss the excercise!

JVND, careful Arrow doesnt say hey we'll get you a load to Tulsa and we'll have another driver secure the load for you.. All you have to do is drive it here. Then they say your on workcomp and have to see there doctor in tulsa and have to sit in the hotel room till your better.

I stopped in Lost Hills for fuel and as I was about to get on North 5 i saw a flatbed running north. The flat bed was an old freightliner mid 90's it was pulling an old trailer nothing with Arrow on it anywhere except for the two tarps covering his load. So either he ripped off the tarps or he bought off someone?????? Does arrow allow subhaulers to use there equipment??

[jvnd1953]

Thanks dewerc2 for the headsup. Those tarps were probably sold. I know a lot of drivers abondoned their trucks, sold the equipment to get home. I'm not going to Tulsa. I am D/H to Phoenix and they are supposed to pay for the bus ride home. I will then go on a medical leave of absence. They kept trying to make me quit and I refused. I told them what the doctor said and that the ball was in their court. They are so afraid of having to pay unemployment. I was told by a therapist my flatbed days are over also. If Arrow cannot give me an job doing something else here where I live then I can quit voluntarily to seek other employment. Arrow must pay unemployment until I do. This came from the unemployment people themselves. I'll keep updating as I am home a lot now I miss the road already. Started therapy today, What painnnnn. I have months of this. Whats amazing is I can still do certain things. I just have a third of certain kinds of movement. This condition starts in older people starting at around 50 to 60. I just turned 56. It comes on gradually and can result from overuse or a injury from many years prior. They still know very little. My dad always said "gettin' old ain't for sissies"