RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Ok, as dangerous as it is that i may get my head bitten off I gotta ask.
"If they have been breaking the law since 2009 or so - and it has reached several million dollars." Would it make sense to say that "maybe they are not breaking the law?"
I think you may be right on that. Having had experience with being a 1099 sub (in another line of work), I don't see any problem with this being legal. I think it helps if you look at the job as being more of a "piecework" or salary type job instead of as an hourly one.
On the subject of getting a massive tax bill from the IRS? They can't tax you for money you didn't make. However, if you do get a cash settlement for lost wages (not very likely IMO), they are entitled. I would treat that as icing on the cake and give the guv their cut and let it go.
And if you can't find enough write-offs for that 1099 to make it look like you are just breaking even, then you and your tax person aren't trying hard enough.
And i may be stating the obvious, but here's one more thought: You have to consider the use of a generator, water and septic as part of your wage package. When you do that, I think the total package comes more into line with what would normally be expected. AT 70-100 a day for a FHU pull-through spot in most places, I would say that free water electric and sewer plus 125-175/day is a pretty nice deal. Not as nice as the company getting 450-500/day for putting a guard out there, but they have to make their money too, and without them you wouldn't be on the gate, and even if you were, you would have to provide your own amenities. Leasing a gen and a honey wagon ain't cheap, and it probably takes a long time to make the contacts to line a job like this up, so I figure its a wash.
All things considered, I wouldn't mind dropping what I do now and doing a little GG'ing for maybe 10 months a year. Sounds like easy money and I don't have to commute thousands of miles like I do now.
To rent a gen., water storage tank, fuel tank, waste cycling system and light tower your cost could range from $90.00 - $125.00 per day.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Y
This was Halliburton Fracing.....the biggest one in business. They don't even feed their own men. We had a couple meals but from the crew putting the tanks and pipes. Believe me I don't want to be on the pad with the frac happening and the sand castles about 30 foot from us. Very loud and dusty. The noise wasn't too bad inside (we are really good insulated) but ouitside wow. Didn't have a problem sleeping.....1 at a time. Tomorrow night I will have my wife back in my bed.
We had a gate in LA with Shell/Halliburton and they did cater. They ran 2 shifts and had catering for each shift. We had more food than we could handle.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Do not be afraid to go to work for GGS. They are a very large company and have excellent equipment and good service people.
There are many other gate guard companies around and some also would be good to work for....
You just have to decide for yourself which company best fits your needs.
GGS is not a company I would choose to work for based on our personal experiences. I would strongly suggest and encourage those who are considering the work of a gate guard to do extensive research with respect to the different companies. The gate guard company's support, or lack thereof, is a major factor in one's ability to perform their duties as a gate guard.
Why badmouth GGS just because you yourself had a bad experience?
Can't figure out how that's badmouthing GGS. I've read much worse regarding GGS. Telling someone to do their homework only makes sense.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Oh, i agree w/ you...after all i have read. They are the best GGC!
thanks :)
Reading is one thing but actual work experience with the company is another. GGS having lost 2,that I know of, very experienced gate guards says something is wrong.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
It is uncommon to hire "security officers as 1099 employees." However, the private securtiy industry hires Law Enforcement/Police at customer request and classifies them as Sub-Contractors/1099 employees all day long. I can say that i have NEVER heard a single one of them have a problem w/ the IRS as long as they FILE CORRECTLY.
No idea how it would impact you LLC - beyond me!
Think of it this way --- If the kid that is mowing your yard every couple of weeks is placed on your company records as PAID SUB CONTRACT LABOR --- he darn well better file what you paid him at the end of the year OR Mr. IRS may knock on his door one day. I realize this is a stretch scenario - but, it cuts down a lot of trees and gets to the root which is; the companies compensating you as a sub will end up turning the wages paid into the IRS and they will be looking for your SSN so UNCLE SAM can get his share.
Well, this is my 2 cents anyway
lol
Enjoy all
Very simple, if the contract or agreement you sign with a company that is hiring you as a sub contractor or IC contains language that has implications or even references employee than that can be interpreted that your not an IC but an employee.
The question isn't if you pay taxes it is the company hiring you trying to bypass paying it's share of taxes and meeting the minimum wage requirement for an employee.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
So, you are no longer using your LLC for gate-guarding? Are You termed as individual employees of their company?
Yes we are considered employees.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
GGS, Loma and J&G by 1099. SiteWatch, Timekeepers and all others that I am aware of, by W-2. However, please talk to a tax attorney that is familiar with the ongoing law suit, prior to going with one of the companies that pay by 1099. Tax implications are being generated by the Federal law suit as how it may impact those being paid by 1099, on the day it is settled, are starting to surface. I won't go into all of what we were told, but just make sure, in your mind, you are ready for all possible IRS scenarios and a whopper of a tax bill.
Texan, could you PM me this. Thanks The main problem for us is only one of us can get paid.
One needs to be careful when joining a co. that is paying via 1099. Read the agreement or contract to ensure that it really meets the requirements to classify one as an Independent Contractor. We have our own LLC and joined Loma as such. However we found that their agreement and other required paperwork really was more employee oriented than IC. Had our accountant and an attorney review said paperwork and the consensus was that it wouldn't hold up under Federal or State investigation, so we terminated our agreement as we weren't going to jeopardize our LLC.
We now work for a company as employees at a higher wage than Loma was paying.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Found a really great mobile RV Service. Russell Williams of Scruss and Smith RV. Works out of Dilley fully certified. Cell 281-536-7242.
Had a slide out not retracting. Russell came and took one look, walked over to his tool box got a boilt and 15 minutes later slide out is slide in.
I found him as one of the BHP co. men had used him.
Following is his post on another forum:
I'm a RVIA certified RV tech new to the area as a mobile RV service I'm a hands-on owner and I provide RV service to a large list of south Texas areas. If you want to know more about my service you can check my website, www.scrussandsmithrv.com
-feel free to inquiry about anything you want. I've listed the proper links on my website to help you with that. I work my main job Monday thru Friday most the time and do work in evenings. I've done alot of work around the Dilley area and love helping people with RV's. Check out my website and feel free to ask questions the company is just starting to get off the ground.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
We had to have work done on 1 air conditioner. I know there has been searches for reliable repair men by some of our fellow Gate Guards. Well I am very happy to report that there is a very good and reliable RV Service repair man in the area. I asked how far east he would go and he said as far as a good job wants him to. He will go to Tilden, Three Rivers, and George west I know because I asked him. He replace a motor and fan in my front air total for labor, service call and parts $367. My air never sounded this quiet before. He also has new air conditioners on hand should anyone want a new one put in.
RV/ Camper Repairs
Norman Chasten
Carrizo Springs
830-255-9515
He is good, quick and on time and very reasonable.
Please people take note....I had very good luck with this person and I am very happy with the work he did for me.But a very good friend of mine contacted him on my recomendation and came to an agreement, but hasn't been able to contact him, and leaveing messages and he is not calling back. If you need service and call this service man please don't do it because I was happy with him. Do so because you need service and good luck.
Note....I would still contact him if I needed something.
I used Norman and he did preform the work quickly and at a very reasonable rate.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
because of intolerable circumstances.
Well, after 3 rigs with GGS, that certainly hasn't been our experience. Jamie and all the support people have always been very responsive to anything we need.
As far as the "low pay", LOMA told us in April they were no longer paying $150, just $125 for all new hires. And from talking to other gate guards we know, it seems like the higher the pay, the lower the service and support.
It seems that Loma has no real base pay based on what we experienced with them and what we've heard from other Gate Guards working/or did work for Loma.
As for poor service Loma's maintenance man we understand was terminate from Timekeepers which had developed a reputation for poor service. At one time Loma's fuel and water delivery was being handled by one person trying to service about 60 gates. You never really knew when he was going to show up.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
I have hesitated to update everyone; since we still have not found a mechanic and gotten a definitive answer as to what exactly is wrong with our motorhome's engine. Today we traveled to Dilley to visit a shop that has agreed to work on it. That in itself is a step forward as most mechanics tell us they are at least a week or more out from starting on it. Are you listening out there?? If I was younger and had a little start up money, I'd be looking at doing diesel repair down here. More specifically, I'd get a mobile business going. And don't even get me started on RV repair in these parts. What really got me going was the lack of and cost of hotel rooms in the Eagle Ford shale. And they are building more; mucho mas! We may be out of the motorhome for a day or two during repairs and we checked out some rooms. We're not talking the Waldorf here folks-but the average room is going for over $125 or more. I say all this so if you're faced with a similar situation, be ready for a TOUGH time and difficulty in getting anything done. We are hoping a mechanic shows up tomorrow and we can determine why the engine won't turn. I'll update when I know more.
Mark,
Didn't realize your still having problems. I got a guy that Freight liner recommended:
Cedric Johnson
830-322-8187
He is out of Carrizo Springs, he fixed a hydrolick leak for me and as well as help a big rig driver that broke down at my gate.
Also try giving Russell Williams a call 281-536-7242, he is mobile out of Dilley.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
As gate guards, we are all at gates on a private property, but we are required to have a Security license and there are state officials that come around and check this.
How do you explain that no license is needed?
Your working for a Energy co. via a middle man and not a property owner.I would have that "in writing" on a state letterhead, with a authorized signature, before I started. My understanding is just the opposite and the reason Ranchers use the "middleman", because if they employ you directly as a gate guard, they must be a state certified security company. Just sayin, CYA, before you jump......
Thats right the offer comes from a co. certified.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
No license is needed if working on private property.I guess I am missing something here. We are on "private" property, owned by Pioneer and we are required by law to have a license and be shown on a company rooster. What is your definition of "private" property..:?
Your not on a private ranch property.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
As gate guards, we are all at gates on a private property, but we are required to have a Security license and there are state officials that come around and check this.
How do you explain that no license is needed?
Your working for a Energy co. via a middle man and not a property owner.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
My question is how do you satisfy Texas DPS security laws..:?.. You are NOT permitted to work as an independent on a level II license, you have to work for a licensed guard company with a class A or B license. If some company says they have the proper license, you better make sure, as it is your butt, if they don't.
No license is needed if working on private property.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Not everyone gets the "snoozer" gates like Texan. We've been on gates where there were 30 pages of incoming traffic to the site per day and only paid the $125/day rate.
As far as pay for the work, I know of one couple that was offered by an oil company to work directly for them. They would be under a 2-year contract. The rate of pay was $450/day. They would have to provide their own equipment and insurance, but the oil company would provide the fuel and water. Yes, it would be a chunk of change to initially purchase the generator, water tank, sewer set up and hauling trailers, but you would quickly recoup the $$$ at that rate of pay. Do the math - $450 x 365 = $160,000+.
I'm looking at going direct as I've been approached by a company saw how we operate and wants us to come to work for them.
What I found was a good source to rent the equipment and the source will service it with water and fuel all at a very reasonable rate that would allow me to net $250+ per day.The name of the company is Coastal Technical Service, Scott Mapes, 361-205-3315. Tell him Dick & Nancy sent ya.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
I have been seeing alot of adds in "workamper news" for Loma. Any input on this company?
Company is very disjointed, they are scrambling to try and cover gates
where guards are leaving. Hard to figure what the base pay is $125, $150 or what ever they write on the back of a business card to get guards to stay.
Equipment supplied is lacking a recycle holding tank system, translucent water tanks that in this hot weather are beginning to form algae. Maintenance support leaves a lot to be desired.
They call you a independent contractor however you sign a Time sheet as a employee. Sooner or later Texas Dept. of Labor will catch up with them and they will be require to pay backpay as the guards do work overtime under the employee definition.
RE: Information Discussion for Gate Guards
Blondie Girl, We use a Chamberlan Wireless motion alert. We got it at Radio Shack. It is somewhat pricey at $80.00 but you can run 2 sensor heads off the same inside unit just a different tone for each. What I really like is the volume control that you can turn down very low at night when someone is sleeping. Also it range is much better than the H/F unit, one of our sensors is about a 1/4 mile and the other one about 100yds.It also has a sensitivity control to keep down false readings. They claim 1/2 mile range but we have never tried it that far out. By the way Texan, we are 11 mile no. of Cuero on FM766 now and will be here until end of Aug. before going home to Tenn.
What is the model # of the unit your using. Did a Google search and it turns up a lot of different models and online stores where one can purchase.
