PAM Transport and Driver Solutions only care about money

Discussion in 'PAM' started by fdtlaw, Jan 7, 2011.

  1. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

    5,295
    6,512
    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
    0
    Welcome to the new and improved world of trucking. Training, with most bigger carriers, sucks. Most of the trainers I personally have dealt with were only interested in making the extra money, and couldn't train a monkey to throw poo. That's how it is. You might make a small, temporary change, but don't expect anything to change industry wide. And any change you do see will not last more than six months at the outside. Major carriers have a vested interest in running new drivers just as hard as possible, and dropping them before that magical first year is up, so that truck can go to another new driver, and the previous driver gets kicked to the curb before he/she gets a raise. After all, gotta keep them freight rates down for the sake of the economy, doncha know...
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

    1,486
    1,296
    Jun 7, 2007
    angola, in
    0
    Well I went through Driver Solutions and PAM and somehow managed to survive my contract. I did get lucky though and got a decent PAM trainer.

    I think the original poster has many valid points about C1 though it's a crazy path to your CDL. Also I came across many trainers in Tontitown that I'm glad I didn't get stuck in the truck with.
     
  4. fdtlaw

    fdtlaw Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Jan 6, 2011
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    0
    It was after four weeks running hard on the road with a trainer that I upgraded (and I was very surprised how easy it was) then I was assigned my own truck. In class a day or so before I upgraded, there was a form supplied which asked if you wanted to go solo or request a team driver. I requested a team driver but when I was assigned my truck, a team driver was not forthcoming.
     
  5. fdtlaw

    fdtlaw Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Jan 6, 2011
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    0
    By way of response to brsims,
    That is why I have also contacted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for their help in addressing safety issues regarding the methods and disposition of trainers that carriers use to funnel prospective drivers through the process.
    My trainer yelled at me, texted and talked on his cell while driving, doctored his and my logs so I would get the hours needed for an upgrade (and a BONUS IN HIS POCKET!). He also kicked the windshield because it made a rattle and cracked it. He called Road Rescue and told them something hit it. There was another incident while we were parked and sleeping where a driver was pulling out next to us and hit our passenger mirror and steps causing significant damage. No pictures were immediately taken and he let the perpetrator go without any name or other contact information. (THIS LYING AND DECEIT HAS TO STOP!)
    In any event, I am currently awaiting a response. Notwithstanding a response, I am making an effort to continue to lobby for change in a way only a small part of this industry functions. Namely, the relationship between Driver Solutions, C1, and the trucking companies needs to change or someone will be seriously injured by the haste in which these companies employ and then discharge the drivers. And this process is also unfair for those that work hard to get their CDL. It is disappointing that the training is not in place to see that continued employment is a consequence. Doesnt it make more sense to have responsible, safe, reliable persons in those positions so that the experience improves and the turnover is minimized? I wonder how much PAM and their insurer pays in damages caused by improperly trained drivers. Seems there is a cost either way, but I would err on the side of experience and training.
    I would encourage anyone and everyone that wants to stand behind me in this endeavor to contact me. It is with full confidence that I will achieve a needed change in this industry. I already have a number of people standing behind me because they feel the same way I do.
    My motto is "There is nothing beyond the reach of determination." John Gray.
     
  6. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

    1,486
    1,296
    Jun 7, 2007
    angola, in
    0
    Good point I was wondering about the supposed savings that come from a revolving door of noobie truckers. Maybe the cents per mile is lower but is the savings there after the resulting damage and insurance claims? Or in the worst cases leading to court costs or a lawsuit if the incident is really severe.

    Some of these things could be as simple as doing destructive U-turns resulting in damage to a building or cars. Just hope an unsuspecting car doesn't go under the trailer.
     
  7. fdtlaw

    fdtlaw Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Jan 6, 2011
    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    0
    You illustrated a fear I have. With improper training, who is to say whether a truck will hit an unsuspecting car or vice versa, or that a child will be in the path of an inexperienced backer and is run down? When will the public as a whole join me and make every effort to see this does not happen? And when will companies like PAM put aside efforts to reap "profits" and insure the safety and integrity and continuity of their drivers and the public? To all that read this, please join me and help me! Contact politicians, media, their Governor, the Attorney General in their state, and the Better Business Bureau. I will reiterate that one day I do not wish to say "I told you so!"
    And when is getting cheap labor to fill positions more important than safety of life, limb, and property?
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2011
  8. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

    1,210
    1,120
    May 2, 2011
    Hollidaysburg, PA
    0
    The only question I have is....why did you continue with a trainer you knew was not doing his job? It is my understanding that anew recruit can request a new trainer and report unsafe practices to safety at any time. I start with c1 in 2 weeks and I'll tell you this, if I catch my trainer di#king around on his cell phone with me in the vehicle while in 80,000lbs of rolling death it will be really difficult to keep from throwing the #### phone out the window and I will be asking for a new trainer at the very least after taking pics/video from the passenger seat of the offending actions. I'm taking this seriously and no way in h e double hockey sticks and I going to let a sh1tty trainer ruin that for me.

    Take some responsibility for what you let happen my friend. Because right now that same guy is out training another noob setting him/her up for failure until someone reports his dumb ###.
     
    tjonzen420, Skydivedavec and mattbh23 Thank this.
  9. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

    2,494
    977
    Apr 10, 2011
    Houston, TX
    0
    Well, a lot of trainees dont know that you can do that, or they are unsure they are able to call or whatnot. I was unsure that I should call on my trainer because he made me sit in one of those collapsable folding picnic chairs while he drove...the passenger seat was for his laptop. Granted, he sat in the seat also, but how unsafe is that?! Regardless, I didnt have to call, because on the second day I was with him, he decided that me high hooking a trailer was easy to fix just by lowering the trailer without pulling the truck forward first, and proceeded to drop the trailer on the jaw release lever, snapping it, and making the fifth wheel inoperable. :) New trainer, new truck, here I come. :) Moron.
     
  10. jjkory

    jjkory Light Load Member

    57
    0
    May 3, 2011
    Toledo,Ohio
    0
    I m a recent grad from c1 trucking school in fort Wayne , I have signed on with Pam .This Friday i find out when to expect my trainer .I heard all kinds of good things and bad things about Pam .I just have so questions and was hoping you all could answer them for me. 1) How long are you out with you're trainer before you return home?2)what's the next step after you're done with you're trainer . I heard something about an orientation what happens there?3) I have signed on for team how bad is it running teams?4) How old is the average tractor?
     
  11. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

    2,494
    977
    Apr 10, 2011
    Houston, TX
    0
    That's one pretty flexible driver, if he kicked his windshield while driving.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.