Report Card

First, let me explain a little about me. My name is Scott, and I am a newbie to trucking (will introduce myself more on the main board), oh I AM NOT A RECRUITER. Currently, acctually on May 18 I will have (since the begining a total of 5 months in the industry) 3 months solo status with TA, 4 all toghether. So I'm fairly new, but i can tell you alot that many not know.

Unlike other companies that are going Bankrupt, 950 closed there doors in the 1st quarter, TA seems like they wont go that route. They are downsizing however, but dont worry the Fleet is its largest ever, (1250 company drivers and 300 owner operators [approximatley]) but opperations is. Office jobs are being doubbled in some areas. But we keep moving. We got contracts and expanded on existing businesses, everything is looking a little better week by week. I have heard that there are very few tucks open at terminals. TA is still hiring, but a very clean record is your best chance, regardles of experience. Still i encourage anyone intrested to put your application in.

As far as trucks, funny to ask this but my truck has had better days. Oh dont get me wrong it runs great, 6.7 mpg, but it was in an accident in November. It was tore up, i heard it cost TA $20,000 to repair, which i thought why did they not just junk it. Some trucks, I've heard, in the fleet are just junk, watch for them. It's a 2005, prorably due for a turn in, and has 316,000 mi. on it, 33,000 miles just from me. Oh yeah they will run you, 3 reasons sum it all up if you want good miles from any company ( more in a bit).

Speaking on miles, I average 2,400 miles up to 3,200 miles a week. Yep, they will run you if you have the hours. I've been having a blast, and im still new to the game. Ok, Ill admit, i did have some crappy weeks ( under 2200 mi) but hey the next week was killer (3100 miles). Of course your milage will go up and down, but it will average above 2500 per week.

Tips and tricks i have picked up.
1. Like everyone has said, don't whine and complain or be a pain to your Fleet Manager and/or Dispatchers. They want you to keep moving. If you keep turning down loads (must have a good excuse) you wont get many loads. If you keep taking, you move up on there board, in which case you could choose your loads. This is all possible if you become like a distant friend of your Fleet Manager.
2. TA goes heavily on PTA, or Projected Time of Availablity, or kinda like a empty call. If your PTA is off and you have not sent a completed trip, then the fleet manager will drop you a couple slots on there board till your empty. It is a key to have this as close to the time you will be available, then you will have the first or second load out of that area.
3. Your log is your key to running hard all the time. Now, to be honest I am having a tuff time with it. I mean, I have no problem with filling it out, but have troubles using the time wisely. I can't get it. But, i do know that somes times you might have to "catch up" your log, or let it "catch you". But what i mean is dont run your days full. Average about 8 to 9 hours a day and you will keep going and not struggle when you chase your recap.

I know some of the words I have said might not be considerate to Drivers that have been on the road for a few or many years. But I think its key to a newbie from a newbie that they dont feel to left out, how i once did.

But all in all i like this company and so do alot of others. Not to many drivers quit, but i think i picked a right company for me.

Off to Middleburry, Minnesota, from Kansas City, MO, a terminal of ours.

Keep Rollin'
Scotty

 

Hello,

I have haunted this board for a long time and finally joined. I start for TA Monday June the 23.

I talked to Dave, a guy from my area that went with them and he seems happy and also gave me the rundown on orientation/training. Then when I called my recruiter she told me the same thing. (go home after orientation) So they will let me drive there in my own car and will refund gas up to the cost of the bus ticket.

I am old enough to know Bravo Sierra when I see it and so far I havent with this company. I will let you know how it goes.

Glitch

 

good luck and happy driving

 

Well, I finished orientation yesterday and today I home getting things in order, I leave with my trainer tomorrow from Kansas City.

First let me say I think this is an excellent company so far, the instructor were not there to run you off and were very helpful. The motel was not a 5 star but wasnt bad at all. And the lunches were great! I did get sick of KFC and Ponderosa buffet, and dont try Marianns resturant, just a friendly warning. Walmart is within walking distance.

We lost 3 of 9 because of medical and lived outside the hiring area, all will be back in a few weeks. The equipment is typical company equipment from what Ihave learned and was a very usable truck. The shift pattern is much tighter than you worn out school truck and they require you to double shift. But the tell you to work on it for about 45 minutes to settle down and get comfortable. They understand that your nervous.

Overall I give this company a good rating so far.

Glitch (in training)

 

So you back yet? How did it go? I have noticed alot of students go out to orientation to never return? To busy or get washed out you think?

 

Of course the majority of the whiners have three things in common:

1) Thier grammar. Can you imagine the ear-screeching, soul-sucking and mind-numbing effect this would have on a professional, by the book trainer? I'd hang myself.

2) Thier spelling. I've tried to spell that bad. I can't do it. How do you misspell "THE". They have the brains of a chicken. After two days at an orientation where they are paying you, don't you think it's a good idea with your limited brainpower to just shut-up and work?

3) They have always been and will always be.....WHINERS: "Here's a casket full of hundred dollar bills!!!" Yeah, but thier in a casket. Whaaa






OF COURSE BEFORE ONE CRITICIZES ANOTHERS SPELLING, ONE SHOULD REALIZE THEIR IS SPELLED THEIR NOT "THIER"

That's just my cent and a half, it's not worth the full 2 cents

 

You have to consider the source. That was posted by some guy that calls himself handsome, and hadn't posted since May.

 

This is Glitch again, I did NOT wash out and have been running hard, too hard to bother posting. Right now I am in a Flying J at Olive Branch, MS (Memphis,TN) waiting for a load that leaves this afternoon.

I am in a 2008 Columbia, 89K miles on it and run about 2500+ a week. My trainer wasnt the greatest but I found out he is the exception in the company. I can recommend this company with an "A+" rating. I have been from LA to Palm Beach and from Dallas to Northern Ontario, I have gotten to see family that I havent in years, I have gotten to see country that I would not have ever seen.

Yeah I run hard, but what do you expect? If you are looking for a company to pay for sitting on your arse good luck. Besides that is what you signed up for.

Terminals in TA are good, most have showers, fuel and are pretty clean. We share a dropyard with another company at their terminal and I can tell you I am glad that I work for TA and not them. They also have lots of trucks sitting there, dont know if they are extras or .....?

Trucks, this is the second I have had and I shuttled a third for 2 days, it was being sold (550K and rough) The first one I had was a 2006 w 300K on it and it ran great, The A/C blew up and took the belt with it, they had it fixed next day. Very minor inconvience. Our Emr. Road Service has been great. I sat for 45 minutes with a blown tire, not all day like some I have heard. This one is a 2008 it had 87K when I got it less than a week ago. Its got 89K now. Its a nice truck, and I have only been solo about 7 weeks.

All of you that are badmouthing this company should stop, because I have found if you work for them, they work for you. If you have trouble here you will have trouble anywhere. Learn to work.

I dont post again for a while its because I just blew past your town with a load of salsa! Keep the wheels rolling and the greasy side down!

Oh and finally if you haddnt gotten it by now I am having a blast and getting paid for it!

 

It is amazing, the contrast in post from one to another. I am glad things are good. I was wondering, how much cpm if you don't mind saying.
I have to agree , if you are going to whine you need to do something else, other than truck driving. This is not high school anymore. You sound like a guy with a good work ethic.
Nice to hear and good luck, be safe!

 

I got 28 with TA but I was under the per diem program (my taxes are a mess I didnt need the deductions to add to my audit this year, long story dont ask) I make about the same now. There is a company that will hire me when I get 6 months OTR for a dedicated run from my town to the gulf coast and back. I also put in for a another job driving and if I get it I will be in great shape, home almost every night.