pam transport

Discussion in 'PAM' started by markr, May 9, 2008.

  1. Greenacres0802

    Greenacres0802 Light Load Member

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    Mar 31, 2009
    Wysox, PA
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    1. GM is / was 23% of PAM's customer base.

    2. The source on the 5% being permanant is 99.9% reliable.

    3. PAM took a 3.3 Million dollar loss in the 2nd Qtr. (the Trucker May 15-31 - 09 ) How long do you think it will be before they stop matching 401K's and raising coverage premiums.

    4. I understand that times are extremely tough right now, but when you are comiserating with the other drivers in the Pilot or at the yard for 3-5 days waiting for a 200 mile load, don't say I didnt warn you so. :yes2557:

    I spent 6 months researching the industry before going to school. was I expecting the downturn that is hapening? No. Am I trying to sway your decision? No. Choice is up to you.

    Bottom line is:
    I've already made my bed, you have'nt even taken the sheets out of the closet yet.
     
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  3. Nvr2L8

    Nvr2L8 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2009
    Cave Springs, AR
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    You make very good points and I do appreciate it -- very much. It is scary to be sure. So many industries are taking a hit. It's like I have a choice between bad and awful.
     
  4. Nvr2L8

    Nvr2L8 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2009
    Cave Springs, AR
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    BTW Greenacres, about how many miles would you say you are averaging a week over a 1 month period?
     
  5. jwayner

    jwayner Bobtail Member

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    Jun 4, 2009
    Leitchfield, KY
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    Maybe this is why they finally accepted my application. I'd been trying to apply for a job with PAM for about 3-4 months now and they kept telling me they weren't hiring students then I called Monday and surprisingly they wanted me to get my application completed as soon as possible.
     
  6. Nvr2L8

    Nvr2L8 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2009
    Cave Springs, AR
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    This is what's so weird about all of this. They advertised in my area for this job (NW Arkansas). Of course, this is their HQ. Why keep hiring drivers when business is so off? These are thing about this industry I haven't figured out yet.
     
  7. jwayner

    jwayner Bobtail Member

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    Jun 4, 2009
    Leitchfield, KY
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    I don't understand it much either and maybe this makes me a puss, I'm not sure but I'm not driving a manual again, just don't like it and USX & PTL aren't hiring and there's not too many other choices out there for students.
     
  8. Nvr2L8

    Nvr2L8 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2009
    Cave Springs, AR
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    I was a business owner in the automotive industry here in NW Arkansas for 5 years -- that went kaput with all this recession mess we're going through. To go back into the law would pay less starting out (because of expenses) than any other option. I really don't want to be in sales right now which seems to be the only job openings around. And, we can't survive on $9/hr. So, trucking seemed to be the answer. However, Greenacres and others have made excellent points and they are out there doing it every day. I just don't know what the right thing to do is, frankly.

    I've always thought trucking would be an interesting way to make a living. I understand the downside as far as the lifestyle goes. I can handle that. But, if it's just a slower way to go broke, I'm not up for that.
     
  9. Greenacres0802

    Greenacres0802 Light Load Member

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    Mar 31, 2009
    Wysox, PA
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    To answer your first question, like I said, I am a newbie too. I just started with my trainer. He is a wiley veteran of 10 years with alot of connections. as for miles we did 4500 last week, only because he knows people and knows how to work the system. Along our travels, I have managed to get away from my trainer and have talked to several drivers both at stops and in the yards. I made it a point to base my own decisions on what the deal is, but after bringing points up with my trainer about issues that I gained from other company drivers, refraised and him being unaware of who I had talked to, he has been spot on about how it is. Now I will not get my own truck for a few weeks yet, hopefully,since his last student waited three weeks to get his, I am bracing myself for a rough road. I know sales blows, did it for alot of years, but like I said, three days off in a yard, is not time off in my book. Fortunately for me I am retired and recieving a pension now so it wont hurt as bad. I am doing it for the love of driving. I dont want to scare anyone away from something that they may feel passionate about, just think about it and weigh the options before jumping in the pool. Do I regret it, no but I am also aware that it may be a very trying experience. I hope for the best in the economy but being a realist, it has no signs of leveling out any time soon. Good luck to you, you already have a head start by reading the entries in these forums. It definately prepared me.
     
  10. Greenacres0802

    Greenacres0802 Light Load Member

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    Mar 31, 2009
    Wysox, PA
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    Seems they took a bigger hit than expected by the field when they announced the 5% drop. Think about it if you owned a company, would you rather spend .43 a mile for a vet or .25 for a rookie? yes freight may be a little late, hell I have seen vets late as well, and yes you may loose a truck or 2, but think about how much money you are saving by using the rookie?
     
  11. Nvr2L8

    Nvr2L8 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 2, 2009
    Cave Springs, AR
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    Greenacres... you said something interesting. You said your trainer knows people and knows how to work the system. One thing I've read on the boards here is the difference between making a good living (economy aside for the moment) and eking out an existence is attitude. Those who remain professional, take the good with the bad and don't become chronic complainers (to the office, that is) are the ones, over time, who get the loads and the miles. I know everything is slow just now, but trucking isn't going to go away, and I imagine PAM will stay in the game as well.

    Hang in there and you'll be racking up the miles in your own rig soon. If God wills it I'll be there behind you. I've got applications in here at home for other things, but they keep falling through and PAM is still out there, so .... so far I'm headed that way.

    I'll buy you a cup of coffee when we meet up. :)

    You got a good trainer I guess. Read a few horror stories about that as well. lol! That's probably my biggest concern -- getting some anti-social, hate-filled goober to run 4-6 weeks with. But, I'll bet the vast majority of the trainers are good folks.

    Any tips on getting through training?

    Oh, I remember what I wanted to ask: can you tell me what is the basic configuration of the truck? What I mean is, what amenities are included (frig, cb, gps, microwave, etc) and what does the driver need to supply himself. Also, what are we allowed to bring or install?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2009
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