A lot of companies are different but generally it is anywhere from

first shift is 7 AM to 3 PM

second is 3 PM to 11 PM

third is 11 PM to 7 AM

this is general - it may be +/- an hour or two.

shift differential would probably be based on company policy.

irrelevant, since the typical typing test usually involves straight copying from a printed or hand written sheet.  Any transcription involves other functions than just typing, hence the standard typing speed means nothing. 

something about the tone of their voices is harder for me to understand

I'm half tempted to type it just that way....Would you?

It is strictly up to the agreement between the employer and the insurance company.  Your new employer can tell you what the pre-existing clause is in your new policy.  Some require proof of insurance for the past 12 months.  It may say something like if a diagnosis has not been made NOR treatment received within the last __ months.  Not good when companies negotiate with a pre-existing clause in order to get a lower rate.  Better check with your HR with your new company before doing anything.  It really gets hairy !

What are some of the best small companies that you have worked for?  Does anyone live out in the sticks and is on dial-up?

do u like working for this company.  Do they treat you fairly.  I was told to download and they will give me first files to fit me with proper account.  They have been great.  Does this continue?  Please let me know.  While on the subject does anyone have any information on Amphion, Medware, QTmedical, Orion and Transhealth.  Any information appreciated.

Does anyone have any information on smaller companies hiring at this time.

Don't they realize the more familiarity an MT has with a certain dictator or group of dictators, the more accurate they are going to be in their transcription and the faster they will be able to produce lines?

Or is it that transcription companies simply don't want MTs to make a decent living?

I don't get it. 

i.e. don't pay on time, lousy platforms, too many ESLs, etc., how on earth do they manage to stay in business?

live in feast or famine.  It's better for them when it's famine because the work is out fast (too bad for us trying to be consistent, huh).  Top that off with people who don't work the whole pay period, just towards the end which is when the work tends to run low (too bad for us trying to be consistent, huh).  So during the time when these don't work, you get overloaded and need to work as much as you can to make up your time (too bad for being consistent, huh).  I know, I live in those same shoes, buried and then scratching and scraping for work to do.  Gotta love it!

I paid $350 a month through Consumer Credit Counseling for over a year and they sold my accounts to Money Market Management and never told me.  They never paid a thing on my Sears bill because they were still waiting for Sears to accept their proposal, which Sears never did.  I was never told that either. 

I don't know where all of the money went because when I dumped them, my $200 Home Depot credit card bill was suddenly almost $600. (Late charges and over limit charges).

Work with your creditors.  It worked for me, at least for the most part.  Sears doesn't usually budge, but you'll find that in this day and age, creditors are willing to work with you and settle for a certain amount a month if you are willing to do direct debit (even $20 a month) from your bank account.

Good luck.