My 16 Week Experience with TRANSAM

There are worse out there. One particular one starts with C and is based in Salt Lake City.

 

Now, I don't know how true this is but, I've been told by TA lease drivers that one of the ways they get company drivers to lease is that they just about starve them into leasing. The lease drivers supposedly and you notice I said "supposedly" get all the miles and the company drivers get the scraps. I've never talked to a company driver so don't have anything to go by. I will tell you that the three lease drivers I know are not getting many miles at present, but then who is?

 

couple of more points on the items a lease driver should do to make money

11. lease a 2 to 3 old truck, a big used truck sales chain is currently offering '06 volvos for 1000 a month, not a week. Sure it's not as sexy as a new chrome dripping large car, but it's a lot more profitable.

12. Don't lease your truck from the same company you contract to haul for. If you aren't in the financial position to do this then you need to be a company driver for someone till u can.

 

If,.. I was a betting man, I would take you up on that.
I just can't see how long term survival of a company can last with abusing sub-contractors, or employee's??
This job is NOT easy, and very dangerous....What quality of personnel can a company have, with a Base pay of 200.00 - 300.00 dollars?? a week.."If your lucky"
Then, to put up with jerks, waiting for day's smelling cow butt, 4 wheelers,..etc...
At this point; I'm ready to do food service, or stay in some local job...I can surly find a job for 2-3 hundred a week?
Like I said; "Three Years,.... five years,.. just NOT today

old guy- Thanks for your post's...They are outstanding, and very informative.

 

I've been sitting on my shiney new CDL A license for 3 weeks now. I've had 2 offers now, CR England and JB Hunt. I'm still looking for a local job but that dosn't seem to be in the cards. I just need that #### 1 year experience without any mishaps and I'll be set. OLD GUY, your 1/3 of the way home (16 weeks) to a bunch of doors opening up for you. You can do it, JUST HOLD ON!!!!

 

They are doing the same thing that many large carriers are, letting the drivers pay for the trucks and deliver their freight for next to nothing. You said that the base rate is $.85 per mile, that's low, specially for trying to make a new truck payment.

I've been exploring the idea of being an O/O for a while now, and if leasing from the company you are going to drive for is your only option, I would say Crete or Knight(I'm a company driver for them now) are the best to choices. Both offer used trucks for lease with very low payments and fixed costs around 600/wk, plus the units offered are fuel efficient fleet trucks, capable of 6-7mpg, that would definitely make a difference on your bottom line. Also, both those companies pay more per mile, Crete has a sliding scale that pays at least $.96 per mile+FSC for trips under 1200 miles, which is most of their freight. I've talked to several knight O/O's and they have bumped up there rates to close to $1 per mile average+FSC. Downside on both is they don't pay full price for deadhead miles though.

 

I agree with you. I'm not the driver, my husband is. It does seem that if you can deal with that first year that many more doors may open for you. So for all you vet drivers out there........are we being too optimistic? I can't see the need for good drivers ever fading.