Promissory Note

So I'm sure you guys deal with this a lot these questions that is, I took a risk on getting a CDL to run teams with a really really close friend, he got a job and Walmart and left where he was while I was in school. ((Hooray me!)) So when I talked to the sponsor I had that paid for my school we came to an agreement that I'd try the team driving thing with him and see if I like it, and if I don't then we can part ways and I just pay him back. I signed a promissory note that was VERY vague in its terms. My first week in training they had me on the yard to start driving but unable to log onto the system or do anything for FedEx (he is contracted for them) until they fixed an issue with me in the system. That took 3 hours before they could even let me go on duty which I was on grounds for riding around in the truck with a trainer learning to hook up trailers and stuff, the pace that ran during that week was not something I was interested in (****ing in bottles, and using baby wipes to bathe with) just run run run run. I told the owner I wasn't interested in "living in the truck" now I know I will catch flack for that part but to each their own. Week 2! 3 hours into my trip the truck AC breaks going to Las Vegas, same trainer team, run run run no stopping **** in a bottle if you gotta go, so on and so on. I came on looking to run days, got forced to run nights "it's part of training" so got 0 sleep in the 90+ degree heat the whole trip, maybe 2 or 3 hours a day meanwhile my trainer slept at night in the passenger seat (great training!). So I get back, I am a physical and mental wreck for trying to run the way they run being so green, felt sickly, had some personal issues to take care of so I told them I wasn't good to run back out the next week due to all of that, unpaid time off. I was guilted about it and coerced to go back out before I made it understood that I was not SAFE to go back out because of how I was feeling. After the length week in the heat and no sleep, then driving all night that night back to terminal and then a 2 hour drive home at the end of the shift I was so exhausted and sickly feeling I couldn't sleep til the next day. I expressed my grievances to only be told well we will reimburse you the mileage and get you another trainer (which they did but turned out to be a longer time out than the first one running the same run in a truck with smokers). I expressed my issues and the whole time I was calm and polite but the owner got emotional, yelling, threatening to fire me, and then sue me for what I owe him for school. So I have come to the conclusion that line haul / otr just isn't for me, I don't like it, felt miserable being that far away from home and living that way. I told him I was looking for something local with a lil more home time than a day and a half, deaf ears. I have found another job that is Monday - Fridays no weekends, home everynight and its hourly rather that 38 or 42 cent a mile and having to run to Las Vegas then Rialto CA and maybe get lucky to get sent back home afterwards. I signed a promissory note for the payment of school, the wording of it is vague and I am wondering what he could go after me for if he decided to sue me and if I could take the job that is Class B hot shot autotransport with a plain ford diesel truck an 3 car trailer. So when I asked about the vague wording of the term "firm" he told me over the phone it meant no other contractors for FedEx, I am just trying to figure this all out, because if he does fire me and sue me and then denies me from working anywhere how the heck am I supposed to pay him back you know? lol I posted a link to the picture before, not sure if I am allowed to do that, if not I apologize

https://imgur.com/eMoMGqY

With legal issues like yours, you should probably consult with an attorney. Preferably one who has some experience with the trucking industry.

Good luck, I hope you can get this straightened out.

Where is this at and how much money is owed? Explain this "sponsor" setup if you can.

So I'm sure you guys deal with this a lot these questions that is, I took a risk on getting a CDL to run teams with a really really close friend, he got a job and Walmart and left where he was while I was in school. ((Hooray me!)) So when I talked to the sponsor I had that paid for my school we came to an agreement that I'd try the team driving thing with him and see if I like it, and if I don't then we can part ways and I just pay him back. I signed a promissory note that was VERY vague in its terms. My first week in training they had me on the yard to start driving but unable to log onto the system or do anything for FedEx (he is contracted for them) until they fixed an issue with me in the system. That took 3 hours before they could even let me go on duty which I was on grounds for riding around in the truck with a trainer learning to hook up trailers and stuff, the pace that ran during that week was not something I was interested in (****ing in bottles, and using baby wipes to bathe with) just run run run run. I told the owner I wasn't interested in "living in the truck" now I know I will catch flack for that part but to each their own. Week 2! 3 hours into my trip the truck AC breaks going to Las Vegas, same trainer team, run run run no stopping **** in a bottle if you gotta go, so on and so on. I came on looking to run days, got forced to run nights "it's part of training" so got 0 sleep in the 90+ degree heat the whole trip, maybe 2 or 3 hours a day meanwhile my trainer slept at night in the passenger seat (great training!). So I get back, I am a physical and mental wreck for trying to run the way they run being so green, felt sickly, had some personal issues to take care of so I told them I wasn't good to run back out the next week due to all of that, unpaid time off. I was guilted about it and coerced to go back out before I made it understood that I was not SAFE to go back out because of how I was feeling. So when I asked about the vague wording of the term "firm" he told me over the phone it meant no other contractors for FedEx, I am just trying to figure this all out, because if he does fire me and sue me and then denies me from working anywhere how the heck am I supposed to pay him back you know? lol I posted a link to the picture before, not sure if I am allowed to do that, if not I apologize

https://imgur.com/eMoMGqY

Z.M.,

Welcome to Trucking Truth! Too bad you didn't come here first, however.

Although hard to read, that contract seems pretty cut and dry, as a 12 month no compete. I'm not an attorney, and would really recommend you see one, if you plan to move on, as mentioned above.

SCDI, out of NC, is not even authorized for service (with 36 power units and 53 drivers) at the current time. He filled out his last S150 form in May. Hmmmm. Pit Bull Express out of Toledo (heard of THEM in the news awhile back; will look for it) has 4 power units, but no O.O.S. filings.

Does he pay you on a W2 or a 1099? My guy drove for a FX/LH contractor some years ago, and it was team also. The owner he drove for was a great guy, and we still keep in touch w/him, but my guy only lasted a year, himself. He wasn't obligated for schooling, already had his CDLA for quite sometime. Are you pulling doubles , too?

This Steve Davis guy; does he hold your 160 certificate? Do you have your hard copy CDLA? So many questions, and I'm not sure that your answers to 'little ole me' would even matter, but ... who knows.

Do you live in Ohio? Just asking, because you didn't list your state (that should be mandatory, Brett!) and we've got a few great companies that hire newbies from within.

I have no clue how enforceable (if at all) that 'contract' is. Chief Brody in the house ?!?!? Rob T.?

Best I've got for now, is give us more. Here's an example of the CRST contract, that to my knowledge, nobody has successfully beaten in court:

Best wishes; stop back.

~ Anne ~

Where is this at and how much money is owed? Explain this "sponsor" setup if you can.

Roughly 4700 right now because he cash advanced me for my first few weeks of work.

So I'm sure you guys deal with this a lot these questions that is, I took a risk on getting a CDL to run teams with a really really close friend, he got a job and Walmart and left where he was while I was in school. ((Hooray me!)) So when I talked to the sponsor I had that paid for my school we came to an agreement that I'd try the team driving thing with him and see if I like it, and if I don't then we can part ways and I just pay him back. I signed a promissory note that was VERY vague in its terms. My first week in training they had me on the yard to start driving but unable to log onto the system or do anything for FedEx (he is contracted for them) until they fixed an issue with me in the system. That took 3 hours before they could even let me go on duty which I was on grounds for riding around in the truck with a trainer learning to hook up trailers and stuff, the pace that ran during that week was not something I was interested in (****ing in bottles, and using baby wipes to bathe with) just run run run run. I told the owner I wasn't interested in "living in the truck" now I know I will catch flack for that part but to each their own. Week 2! 3 hours into my trip the truck AC breaks going to Las Vegas, same trainer team, run run run no stopping **** in a bottle if you gotta go, so on and so on. I came on looking to run days, got forced to run nights "it's part of training" so got 0 sleep in the 90+ degree heat the whole trip, maybe 2 or 3 hours a day meanwhile my trainer slept at night in the passenger seat (great training!). So I get back, I am a physical and mental wreck for trying to run the way they run being so green, felt sickly, had some personal issues to take care of so I told them I wasn't good to run back out the next week due to all of that, unpaid time off. I was guilted about it and coerced to go back out before I made it understood that I was not SAFE to go back out because of how I was feeling. So when I asked about the vague wording of the term "firm" he told me over the phone it meant no other contractors for FedEx, I am just trying to figure this all out, because if he does fire me and sue me and then denies me from working anywhere how the heck am I supposed to pay him back you know? lol I posted a link to the picture before, not sure if I am allowed to do that, if not I apologize

https://imgur.com/eMoMGqY

Z.M.,

Welcome to Trucking Truth! Too bad you didn't come here first, however.

Although hard to read, that contract seems pretty cut and dry, as a 12 month no compete. I'm not an attorney, and would really recommend you see one, if you plan to move on, as mentioned above.

SCDI, out of NC, is not even authorized for service (with 36 power units and 53 drivers) at the current time. He filled out his last S150 form in May. Hmmmm. Pit Bull Express out of Toledo (heard of THEM in the news awhile back; will look for it) has 4 power units, but no O.O.S. filings.

Does he pay you on a W2 or a 1099? My guy drove for a FX/LH contractor some years ago, and it was team also. The owner he drove for was a great guy, and we still keep in touch w/him, but my guy only lasted a year, himself. He wasn't obligated for schooling, already had his CDLA for quite sometime. Are you pulling doubles , too?

This Steve Davis guy; does he hold your 160 certificate? Do you have your hard copy CDLA? So many questions, and I'm not sure that your answers to 'little ole me' would even matter, but ... who knows.

Do you live in Ohio? Just asking, because you didn't list your state (that should be mandatory, Brett!) and we've got a few great companies that hire newbies from within.

I have no clue how enforceable (if at all) that 'contract' is. Chief Brody in the house ?!?!? Rob T.?

Best I've got for now, is give us more. Here's an example of the CRST contract, that to my knowledge, nobody has successfully beaten in court:

Best wishes; stop back.

~ Anne ~

No I still have my certificate, all I signed was the promissory note for him, I am located out of North Carolina, and I am honestly looking for somethin local that is home daily. I am hauling doubles but I am not sure if I am 1099 or not, what do you mean he isn't authorized for service? What is this S150? Fairly new to all this still.

No I still have my certificate, all I signed was the promissory note for him, I am located out of North Carolina, and I am honestly looking for somethin local that is home daily. I am hauling doubles but I am not sure if I am 1099 or not, what do you mean he isn't authorized for service? What is this S150? Fairly new to all this still.

When he pays you, is there a 'stub' on the check that shows taxes held for SS, WC, federal & state witholdings? HOW LONG HAVE you been there? What's the actual date on your CDLA? (Don't mess w/Hotshot in this economy; trust me.)

Re: W2 employee, I'm thinking not. If that's the case, being a 1099 employee, you will actually have MORE leverage, in leaving. You're not actually an 'employee' at that point. I bet he pays you cash; yes?

That 'mumbo jumbo' about the 150 is Owner Op stuff; you shouldn't 'need' to know, actually. I'm just 'sneaky' sometimes like that; been w/ a trucker/driver for 22 years that drove for a few owner ops, LoL!

Let me see if this works: Steve C. Davis, Inc. via FMCSA/Saferweb

Click on the underlined link, and you'll see the 'snapshot' of his company. How many trucks DOES he have? It seems to me he's running under the authority of Pit Bull Express (out of Toledo, Ohio) who does a lot of DOT/gov't work, in the winters, here in Northern Ohio.

Hang on: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=2400019

This one, ^^^ you're on your own to copy and paste. Seriously, just GOOGLE Pit Bull Express (no more, no less) and you'll see what I see.

Wish you well, man. As far as 'home daily/local' jobs in NC, kinda doubtful being new & all, but with your doubles endorsement and a bit of experience, you should look into LTL companies in your area! Do you have all endorsements? Do you have an auto restriction (E?) Just checking for marketability, man. Add NC to your profile, please! We've got a few folks that hail from there; it'll alert them to this thread, quicker.

Next step: See that big white bar at the top of this page? Type in LTL.

After that: See where you can search members names? Look at Bobcat Bob, Banks, Delco Dave, to name only a few. Daniel B., also! Went from starting at Prime, training for them, hauling fuel, and NOW drives for OD (Old Dominion) and just won an award this year!! He's not even 30 and has all that to brag on. (Bet you aren't 30 either, yes?)

Good luck, man. This may be an 'easy' $50.00 consult with an attorney. Especially one that knows a bit about DOT laws. Seriously looking like HE isn't operating on the up & up, from those 2 links above.

Let us know~

~ Anne ~

Cooke, Southland, LJ Rogers, Bottomley and Epes are a few Carolina companies you can look into.

So I'm sure you guys deal with this a lot these questions that is, I took a risk on getting a CDL to run teams with a really really close friend, he got a job and Walmart and left where he was while I was in school. ((Hooray me!)) So when I talked to the sponsor I had that paid for my school we came to an agreement that I'd try the team driving thing with him and see if I like it, and if I don't then we can part ways and I just pay him back. I signed a promissory note that was VERY vague in its terms. My first week in training they had me on the yard to start driving but unable to log onto the system or do anything for FedEx (he is contracted for them) until they fixed an issue with me in the system. That took 3 hours before they could even let me go on duty which I was on grounds for riding around in the truck with a trainer learning to hook up trailers and stuff, the pace that ran during that week was not something I was interested in (****ing in bottles, and using baby wipes to bathe with) just run run run run. I told the owner I wasn't interested in "living in the truck" now I know I will catch flack for that part but to each their own. Week 2! 3 hours into my trip the truck AC breaks going to Las Vegas, same trainer team, run run run no stopping **** in a bottle if you gotta go, so on and so on. I came on looking to run days, got forced to run nights "it's part of training" so got 0 sleep in the 90+ degree heat the whole trip, maybe 2 or 3 hours a day meanwhile my trainer slept at night in the passenger seat (great training!). So I get back, I am a physical and mental wreck for trying to run the way they run being so green, felt sickly, had some personal issues to take care of so I told them I wasn't good to run back out the next week due to all of that, unpaid time off. I was guilted about it and coerced to go back out before I made it understood that I was not SAFE to go back out because of how I was feeling. After the length week in the heat and no sleep, then driving all night that night back to terminal and then a 2 hour drive home at the end of the shift I was so exhausted and sickly feeling I couldn't sleep til the next day. I expressed my grievances to only be told well we will reimburse you the mileage and get you another trainer (which they did but turned out to be a longer time out than the first one running the same run in a truck with smokers). I expressed my issues and the whole time I was calm and polite but the owner got emotional, yelling, threatening to fire me, and then sue me for what I owe him for school. So I have come to the conclusion that line haul / otr just isn't for me, I don't like it, felt miserable being that far away from home and living that way. I told him I was looking for something local with a lil more home time than a day and a half, deaf ears. I have found another job that is Monday - Fridays no weekends, home everynight and its hourly rather that 38 or 42 cent a mile and having to run to Las Vegas then Rialto CA and maybe get lucky to get sent back home afterwards. I signed a promissory note for the payment of school, the wording of it is vague ,and I am wondering what he could go after me for if he decided to sue me and if I could take the job that is Class B hot shot autotransport with a plain ford diesel truck an 3 car trailer. So when I asked about the vague wording of the term "firm" he told me over the phone it meant no other contractors for FedEx, I am just trying to figure this all out, because if he does fire me and sue me and then denies me from working anywhere how the heck am I supposed to pay him back you know? lol I posted a link to the picture before, not sure if I am allowed to do that, if not I apologize

https://imgur.com/eMoMGqY

Not sure how you have your alerts set up .. hope you've read the last two replies, ZM!

~ Anne ~

ps: Nice car in your Avi ~ !

I saw them just haven't had time to reply to anything yet, woke up late and had to go to the terminal to run. I guess I need to speak with a legal representative about this promissory note. Not sure if the terms are waved of I repay him before the year is up or what he can legally do to me. I asked his secretary about their definition of a "firm" she told me it was for any other contractor for fedex in Greensboro or Charlotte, but she wasn't sure if it was different for me because of the loan for school.

I looked at the safe web info. This company has an active DOT number but is currently not authorized to have those trucks on the road. His update of his mileage looks normal. We have to file a yearly statement of mileage.

The red flag to me is the fatal crash listed. My guess dealing with FMCSA is he ran into insurance issues after that crash occurred and they have temp. suspended his operating authority. Just a guess by what is shown there.

I would be very concerned if he is running trucks without approval from FMCSA.

I have no idea regarding the promisary note, that is best left to an attorney.

No matter how you look at this situation, it looks like a huge mess.