Trans Am Trucking, Inc. - Olathe, Ks.

Thank God you are doing better!!! Bill has gotten 2 of those "Things just arent the same without you" cards. He actually called the other day cause we are pretty desperate right now. Of course they were ready to put him back on the bus out there. I told him it would be a VERY cold day before I let him get on another horrible Greyhound bus ride from Western New York State all the way to Olathe KS. Not only that, but I have no desire to sit in Liberal KS or Dodge City and smell the slaughterhouse for 2 days waiting for a load of beef. I could go on for a really long time but you know what they are about. Hope you find a good place to work, we are still looking.

 

Well am back at the lovely Olathe terminal after doing a recovery. Florida was nice from what I got to see of it. Coming across MO, you could just see the temp dropping.
Just checked in with them and somehow, I went from #2 on the list to #3 and so far, they only have 2 trucks for company drivers. Said check back after lunch and they would try to get me a truck. We'll see what happens.
Still would think that a well run company wouldn't bring drivers in to swap trucks if one wasn't available but then- - is this a well run company?

 

A year ago today I got into my truck at TransAm. I stayed a company driver for reasons that made sense to me. Personally, I don't want to be my own boss. I had that title all my life.

I have yet grasped what the company lease is all about.

Just a few observations.........
1.........It seems most of the bad mouthing of the lease happens a t the terminal.Everytime I stop in the terminal lounge, I hear the same stories. Out on the road, I meet satisfied lease drivers who do not have time to chat because they have loads that need delivered. They would not do anything else but lease.

2............ If leasing , hometime must be well managed. Don't lease if you plan on being home all the time. Those "advantages" of the lease come with a price tag. I know for a fact that "business owners" are the hardest workers in America. And when signing that lease, you are now a business "owner."

3....... Many of the drivers out here need to learn how to deal with individuals.
Dispatchers" are a fact of life for professional drivers. I realize there are a few dispatchers who need to look at other types of employment, but my experience tells me that the majority are there just doing a job. Treat them with respect too.

4........... Professionalism. You expect TransAm to be respectful of you and your choice of career. Yet how many TransAm drivers do we see at the meathouses and terminal wearing clothing that does not send a favorable impression to the people around them? Sorry, wearing sweats and oversized sweatshirts walking around with youir hat on sideways does not impress many.

5................. I am satisfied with TransAm. I have had only one incident that we will have to deal with when the time comes. My money is there when they say it will be. I made a good wage in the first year. I do some training. I have trained about 10 students who still are with TransAm.

6............. My conversations with old school reefer runners braced me for the wait at meathouses. Right now I an sitting at a meathouse hoping that this place is on schedule. But I know that once the "L" call goes in, that the miles will show themselves.

7..............I am not naive. I knew trucking was not a perfect place to be at all times. But the thing I learned about trucking is it is all about attitude. I have heard many of the "anti-trucker" stories about TransAm. I am convinced that TransAm is not out to screw anyone in a deliberate manner.

 

I dont know, wolfix...

I'm not saying you're in the tank for Trans Am, but it is something to consider that this is your first and only post....

Personally, I would not take a lease with ANYONE right now, unless the company would agree to a provision that should freight drop to a certain point, I would be free to accept brokered loads.

As a potential business owner, I would not want to be totally dependant on any one company for my livelihood.

as a company driver, the co. is paying for the truck, fuel, authority, tolls, etc. and that buys my cooperation, as they take on a share of the risk.

 

hit the nail on the head i have heard the same from a number of lease

 

Not in the tank. You're right about not wanting anyone to determine when and how you do business. I ran into my first "problem" with TransAm personel today. I thought that the managment would back me on a issue where the person that recruited me totally mislead me.

I entered the situation with the attitude of letting TransAm know I felt strong about being lied to, but gave no "or else" statements. At this time, I am not willing to move on for something I should have gotten in writing.

My experience in trucking tells me this. It is a hard business where fairness is not a consideration.

 

Just learned a BIG lesson today about the difference between a state job and private enterprise. READ THE DRIVERS INFORMATION HANDBOOK AND BE ABLE TO QUOTE IT FOWARDS AND BACKWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just found out the hard way, that you won't get the $50 lay over pay if the layover starts on a Sunday. WTF-and here I thought that we were a 24/7 operation. We bust our ### trying to protect their famed 98.2% on time delievery and this is the thanx that we get. Just had to vent and thank ya'll for the chance to do so.

 

I feel bad for refering people to this company after working with them for two years. They started changing layover pay rules alot but never thought that would happen, once again when I was there it was a great company I'm starting to wonder now

 

They told me to take a walk. Going with a more qualified student applicant lol.

Apparently MVR's can be better than completely clean. I guess some students actually have praises and kudos on theirs.

I'd pay good money for an insider book on hiring criteria.

 

Im happy your doing better now.Good luck with everything God Bless