After looking at the financial reports for the industry I would have to agree that PAM (PTSI) is not a top 3 company, even among publically traded companies. PAM's PE Ratio is not an industry leader but still decent. PAM is the Number 1 company in growth over the last 5 years. The PEG Ratio is not a top leader but it is below 2 indicating that the company is a good prospect for growth.

As a company it has a lot of potential as an investment.

In any case its a trucking company. Out of all the ones out there they, through Decker were the ones to give me a shot and for that I'm thankful.

I have heard good things about Decker..I have meet probably five decker drivers and talked to them in Willard, OH. I think when we compared the differense between PAM and Decker it was small things like ... You cant run toll roads unless approved with decker and you can run any toll road with PAM. You gotto log 15 min at end of shift for post trip inspection with Decker and you dont with PAM. Not sure if any of these are factual just what I was told by decker drivers in Willard's lounge.

I, for one, like working for PAM as a solo driver. As a trainer, I was unfortunate enough to get a jerk of a DM and quit training. But I'm staying on (for the moment) as a solo driver. It's been 1.5 years now. I am, however, looking for something local or at least regional. But that is ONLY because I have a family with small children at home.

Anyway, PAM is nothing more than a starter company. And of all the starter companies to choose from, it's one of the better ones...

For example:
USA Truck will fire a driver for continually keeping their idle time over 25%. So you have to freeze in the winter and roast in the summer to meet your idle percentage. PAM does not practice this in any way. I do believe that those orange trucks and swift are the exact same way... I'm pretty sure most of the ''bigger'' companies are that way.....

I've seen many post about poor layover. It's true that 40.00 for a 24hr period isn't a lot, but when your broke down, you get that along with the 60.00 for hotel. If your hotel only cost 35.00, you keep the other 25.00 in your pocket. They just send you a P.O. for the money, you spend it how you want. They don't expect a receipt like most other companies.... If your air is out during the summer, they will give hotel pay for your 10hr break. No receipt expected. I use idle aire when that happens to me and keep the rest in my pocket. They don't care... Heck, I've had our break down dept. tell me to do that before...

Anyway, PAM is nothing more than a starter company.... Do your year and move on to a better paying company.... I'm reading a lot of post from NEW drivers expecting to make 50 grand a year right out of the gate. That's not going to happen no matter where you go. Most "starter" companies, you can only expect around 2,000 miles a week. All you can do, is be on time, don't complain, and just play the game until your year is up... There will be times that you sit in low freight areas and times your going to run your butt off.

You can make upwards of 40,000.00 your first year if your willing to. I see too many drivers cry and whine about every little thing. They will not make over 30,000.00. From when I started in June '06 to the end of the year, I made just over 19,000.00. This year, I will clear 40,000.00 no problem...

Like others have said, as a new driver, you must earn the right to make good miles and complaining right out of the gate, you won't earn that right...

Ok, I'm rambling on.... Just tell me to shut up....

Chip

Not true. Our co avg is over 52.5 for 1st year drivers.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Yep. It depends on the work you do.

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Z-Lady's devoted hubby.

Average.... So, unless you almost never go home and work your butt off....... But, my guess would be that your a flatbed or tanker driver... That's just like my company claims 40g's a year AVERAGE for the first year, but you have to work for it....

I'm willing to bet, those that complain, don't work for it....

Notarps...what company do you work for?

Swift, P.A.M or USA truck ? For a newbie ?

Avoid Swift at all cost!!! Run don't walk from them. PAM or USA would be a lot better. I personally drive for USA. Went through Driver Solutions in January and five weeks with my trainer (normally four weeks but I had a trainer who had weekends off and couldn't get the required driving hours in the four week space). Either way I got my own truck about 4 months ago and haven't had any major complaints with them. I run between 2500-2700 miles a week with an occasional 3000 week. You will get an older truck at first but the company is right in the middle of upgrading the fleet to prostars so you just have to grin and bear it for a while. I have had some troubles but show me a trucker who is 100% satisfied with his company and I'll show you a liar. I'm just making a point there may be a driver who is 100% satisfied, I just haven't met him. Either way to see the problems that I had with USA check out my thread "Newbie with USA" in the USA section.