is this the comapny that has the "TransAm" on the trucks?

if so, i haven't heard too many bad things about them. sory i don't have much more to offer, but at least your thread stays on top a little longer.

Just wondering is any one knew any thing about transport america??
they called me for a job, and have only talked to 1 driver so far. any one elese with some input
thanks

I have a lady friend who I went to CDL school with, and she drives for them. She loves it. It was a rocky start for her at first, but things brightened up real quick fr her, and now she claims to be running 3000-3500 miles each week. I'll have to see if I can get her to join up over here to give you the inside iggy on those guys.

You might also want to check out the post about them in the bad companies thread.

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No good deed goes unpunished......

hello all,

I'm a soaking wet newbie. Did the PTDI course at Kirkwood in Jan. great bunch of guys. Paid my way thru and no complaints whatsoever.

Prior to schooling I talked to Dennis Wilson (Transport America Recruiter), nice guy also...

He didn't overly focus on the typical recruiting "we're the best thing since sliced bread approach"

He gave me the highlights... noted a few short-comings and basically said this is a great company if you want to work and they will treat you fairly.

closing words after several talks were you're pre-hired, we're a great place to be, but don't forget it is still trucking... you are going to earn your money (very honest).

When I finally made it to orientation I found a professional but family type atmosphere. Nobody talked down or treated me subordinate. (pleasant surprise)

The orientation was 10 hours a day monday thru friday and a half day on saturday.

Actually a very nice double room hotel I'd stay in with my family. (surprised again)

Continental breakfast I passed on. A good lunch catered on sight. and a $7.50 meal ticket at night good at 4 close to the motel restaurants. good food and plenty at all places. two had buffet's.

I drove to orientation in Scottsburg Indianna in a company van.

For the ride home they rented me a 2007 Chevy impala with only 7500 miles on it. Some took the van if they came in a big group but half the class got rentals. (sweet)

phoned my trainer when I got home for the 30 day ride to get some experience thing. Nice guy, was still busy with a student, told me I had a week off, can't start til next sunday night monday afternoon.

Company is paying me $350.00 to sit at home and wait for my start date. (don't want me getting antsy and bolting???)

I was packed and loaded for bear expecting a month gone from home.

trainer says no-way... he doesn't play that game... he has a family and we'll be home every week-end period. (only pack for 5 days and bring a blankie)

Now I haven't really driven yet for these guys... but I just feel compelled to say thus far... it's looking real good.

btw, orientation was 4-5 hours a day with class... learning what you already learned in school and some "this is how we do it here info" not hard at all...

the other 4-5 hours rotated daily. you either went on the road with an instructor. Same as school... a little freeway a little in town stuff.

the opposite day was spent on the driving range where they taught you proper set-up for alley docks; 45 and 90. much more real life than school (no marks on the ground to cheat with) how to jog the rig over left or right in tight quarters to hit a hole when you were off your initial set-up.

great guys.... no yelling or screaming right right right left...

they told you how to set-up... then showed you how to set up... then let you try it. if you screwed up they let you correct it yourself... or had you get out and they talked you through how to fix it.

very very student friendly...

they, in my opinion are extremely professional in all ways.

they respected me and everyone... and it didn't feel like "boss and newbie" it just felt like a bunch of friends chatting and bench racing and having a good time.

There were a few places that paid better... but so far I know I made the right decision for me.

I definately don't have that feeling of anxiety like I'm going to be just another "meat in the seat" employee to them.

I'll keep everyone updated as I go... but so far...

WOW!!! these guys are going to pay me to drive!!! Count me in....!!!!!!

Good luck!!!Keep us posted.

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sounds like you have started on the right foot.

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.

That's great news. Keep us posted please.

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RIP Steve McNair you will be missed

I met rob my trainer at 8:30 am tuesday morning. Nice guy and nice truck. Newer freightliner, 150k miles on it. loaded in my stuff and we did our safety inspection, filled out the log, and off we went to grab our load.

Dropped our trailer and hooked another one in muscatine for a delivery down town atlanta. mlk of course.

drove to ft. campbell ky to spend the night. Drove to atlanta for the drop the next day. Blew a tire on the way which killed an hour, stuck in chatanooga freeway closed for bush, another hour. made the drop and went to the atlanta yard for fuel.

headed to alabama for our back load in albertville and stuck in traffic on I-20 about an hour routing around the horrible crash and burn. still not sure about that??? two truck a car tangled and slid across the median hitting two other semi's.

slept and finnished driving to albertville, got loaded and headed home.

was home friday by 3.

short week, which was a good thing, gave me time to work on skills and get familiar with the truck.

was supposed to do a short d.c. this monday but got qualcommed friday am doing another ga.

I'm salary at $350.00 but the run would have paid $600.00 if I weren't in training and this with it being a short week.

I was fairly nervous in traffic the first day but by day 3, I didn't really care, it was just part of the road. (I felt alot more confident in myself and the truck).

COMPANY JOB ?

I had a trainer with me the whole time so I can't really say my cherry is popped but it's bruised and it wasn't all that bad.

I had plenty left in me and was never tired. The ers guys were great and so were the atlanta facilities.

For me, this company seems like a very good fit.

reasonable pay for a newb, a great trainer, good equipment/support, enough time to make the run legally even with a few hiccups.

I get the definate impression if I just keep my head down and do the job nobody is out to get me, trip me up, or cause undue hate and discontent.

It feels like they (the company) are driver oriented and what more can a guy legitimately ask for? well yeah, more money... of course... but in general a very good company and you have to work somewhere. Might as well be here where everyone is smiling instead of dreading another week.

I'm happy, see'ya next week.

Thank you for the info. I am looking at these guys for my first trucking job. I am finishing my training with my school (Roadmaster) here in Indianapolis, IN. The recruiter Troy, from Transport America mentioned things that sounded just like you said. One example, they will pay you 350.00 per week if they have you wait a week before you get a trainer after you complete orientation. That wasnt part of his spill, but I asked how long before I get with trainer after orientation and was told that. If I decide to go with Transport America I will be attending the orientation down in southern Indiana also. I was looking at werner also for my first job, but I like what Transport America has to offer.