Company Solo = No Freight?

Discussion in 'PAM' started by copetheghost, Sep 9, 2013.

  1. copetheghost

    copetheghost Bobtail Member

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    I recently parted ways with my co-driver and am now solo with PAM. I was assigned a new DM (teamed we were on the expidited boards so naturally they needed to put me on a solo board).

    Now, I had prepared myself for a bit of growing pains. My DM and I would have to get to know each other and I would need to adjust to driving solo - managing my time without having a co-driver to take over etc.
    I expected my runs might slow down a bit.

    Now, however, I'm becoming a little concerned. Last week I made just barely over 1k miles. Every (work week) morning, my DM sends out a good morning message claiming that freight is slow and many of us will be waiting a while.

    If things are going to continue this way, with paychecks barely near $200 after all the deductions, there is no way I can stay here.
    I am now behind on my bills with no idea how I am going to catch up let alone keep feeding myself while trying to do so.

    Is anyone else seeing this problem?
    Who can I contact about it?

    I don't know if it's just my DM or if this is company wide...
    My former co-driver is not having any trouble with getting loads but he is still under the DM we had as a team (as they are probably trying to find another driver to team him with).

    I'd appreciate any advice from someone who may know how best to deal with this and improve my weekly miles.
     
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  3. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    Louisville, Kentucky
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    All you can do is to try and deliver before your next reset.
    Some will go for most won't.

    Welcome to the non favored section of trucking.

    September is the worst month of the last 2 quarters freight wise for the past few years. So they aren't lieing to you at the moment.....but they'll use that excuse very very often. Get used to it.
     
  4. copetheghost

    copetheghost Bobtail Member

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    I don't think he's neccesarily lieing. I do think he is new and doesn't quite know how to juggle things.

    The non favored side of trucking, eh? Alright well. I guess I'll try to suck that up and do what I can with it. Although, the friends I have currently running solo with other companies don't seem to be having an issue and, as I said, my former co-driver is doing just fine running solo with the the DM we had teamed.

    Oy.

    Going to be a long rest of the year, I guess.
    No way I'll be able to pay the bills or even hold onto my house if things keep up at this pace.
     
    Skydivedavec Thanks this.
  5. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    They should pick up... but weigh your options.

    Go for whats best for you. If you did sign a contract with PAM, could you afford to pay the $6000 or whatever it is now if you go?!? ...

    Get informed. There are companies that pay better than PAM.

    Like many have said on here; PAM isnt the worst company but it's also far from the best... but with that said, trucking is trucking ... paid by the mile is just that paid by the mile... you dont make money if the wheels arent turning ...

    Also, PAM likes teams. WHen I first went solo, they slowed me down tremendously too... but after they saw that I was sticking thru my contract, they bumped up the miles, or at least this was my perception and the opinion of many ex PAMers...

    We cant tell you what to do. But read and please get informed. If you are losing your house or whatever, believe me PAM wont care one bit. PAM is too worried about keeping their boat afloat. Hope this helps. Be safe out here
     
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  6. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    Houston, TX
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    I got out before the fit hit the shan. :) (bout 2.5 years ago)
     
    airforcetoo Thanks this.
  7. copetheghost

    copetheghost Bobtail Member

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    I don't think PAM is actually able to collect on any of the broken contracts for school at the moment. I do not know this as fact but rather word of mouth down the grapevine info about some lawsuits happening or some such.
    However, even if they could I am aware that if I were to go elsewhere, I could indeed make enough to pay my bills and pay off the cost of school.

    After the first few initial weeks of craptasticness, loads ate currently a bit more steady. Unfortunately, at .25cpm after all deductions (including school fee), it just ain't enough. I've gotten so far in the red from the jump off of this (starting with going to school) that it's feeling impossible to stick to my guns about staying the full year.
    Maybe I'm having a bad night and being a little whiny but it's been a rough fight trying to keep my nose outta the water as far as money needs. Struggling with being a man if my "word"(contract) and doing what might be the better call in order to take care of my family.

    Recently a fleet message was sent out asking for feedback about how the company could better retain drivers.
    What I don't understand is how they can look at their pay vs. the pay of the companies drivers leave for, thevaverage miles they get, and the quality of equipment and need to ask that question.
    Came off to me like hollow pandering.

    Meh.
     
    Skydivedavec Thanks this.
  8. Ozarktrucker

    Ozarktrucker Light Load Member

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    Been gone from PAM for a year now, but the complaints are still the same. It's a shame because at one time PAM was a really good company. Now it seems as though they've become a CDL mill. You might try working their system by becoming a mentor. Pays a bit better, it's your truck, giving you a little more control about how things are done in the truck. This might help you hold out financially and let you finish out your year, then you can look else where and pad your resume with the mentor title. Just some thoughts, good luck!!
     
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  9. danoles93

    danoles93 Bobtail Member

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    I've been with PAM 6 years as solo driver, and have never had complaints with miles. That's about 300+ weeks and the only weeks I have with less than 2K miles are the weeks that I come off home time or go home for home time. Unfortunately I just lost the best DM I've had in the 6 years when he left to go up the road to Wal-Mart. With Mike S. as my DM I was averaging 2200-2800/week (last week I had 3100+).
    I guess my advantage was that I came to PAM w/ 2 yrs exp. at Schneider.
    My advise is go over your DMs head and politely ask for a new DM or find out why your miles are so low. BTW I had no problem getting miles in september, so whoever told you freight was slow, may have been exagerating(sp?) or had no other excuse for not keeping you running.
     
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  10. igotbank2

    igotbank2 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 9, 2013
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    It all really depends on ur dm... I have never been team with them...solo right out of training.... my suggestion, try to get ahold of the north jackson people... they have their own dm's.... john has been great for me. Literally been driving 3 months and have been dedicated for 2.... when I first started tho... I had a tontitown dm... not gonna name names, but he sucked... at least for me... but this run the n jackson guy got me is awesome, home 3 nights a week.. hope it gets better 4 u bud.
     
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  11. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    yeah the North Jackson DMs are definetly better
     
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