I would not recommend any new drivers seeking employment at Transport America

Discussion in 'Transport America' started by TAV, Apr 21, 2009.

  1. Shoestring

    Shoestring Light Load Member

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    Jul 25, 2011
    Lehigh Fl
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    70% to 90% turn over rate. hmmm Did you ever stop to consider that about 75% of those people had no business being in a truck to begin with. Some CDL mill somewhere wanted the money for their schooling so they just pumped out drivers left and right. That school has a deal with some company to "place" drivers. The company knows that 90% of them probably don't belong in a truck, but out of the 10% that are left they will probably find a few good drivers. That 10% that does have what it takes, will not have some worthless thing put on their DAC. The others have bad things on their DAC as a warning for other companies that that particular driver has no business being out on the road with the rest of us that are doing it right.

    Just my $.o2 since the OP decided to rejoin his own thread.
     
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  3. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    Dec 31, 2010
    Washington, PA
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    I both agree and disagree with your post. Many folks turn to this industry as a last resort. Many others have in their mind this big american dream being out on the open road seeing the country while making money. Its a shock when they actually get out there and find out what it's really like. The schools paint a rosy picture to get customers to their school. Company reps./recruiters also come in and do the same. Many ppl are criticized for not doing their homework before starting in this industry. When you have a good attitude or you are at the end of the line, you won't listen anyhow.

    I do agree many ppl in the industry should have never came here in the first place. But how many actually tried and were good professionals and got caught up in the crap that is in this industry? I did many times but kept trying. I also was disappointed many more times than I care to mention. The drivers that do stay and adapt to this mess do eventually get tired of it and move on.

    As far as DAC goes, I have quit many OTR companies the past 9 years, 2 of them 2x each. (PLEASE, anyone reading spare the judgement until you the know the history) I also did not give a 2 week notice, ever. I do not believe in giving notice to someone that has financially or emotionally strained my family. I have never had anything negative put on my DAC and actually been eligible for rehire a few times. I also was involved in 2 accidents(neither was my fault) and again nothing was put on my DAC.

    Just some rambling thoughts................
     
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  4. Joescheppae Q

    Joescheppae Q Medium Load Member

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    Aug 20, 2011
    Ply Mtg, PA
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    The CDL Mill that I just graduated from didn't paint a rosy picture about the industry at all. The instructor told me that the first few years of life after CDL school are where I was going to cut my teeth and not to expect an easy time with any of it or any handouts from anyone to boot.

    By starting out as a newbie I will get a first hand drivers eye glimpse at the “real trucking world" and that would be about it. He said that the ######## that recruiters pump up your ### about getting paid to see the country blah, bah, blah is just that.

    He said that what I will be doing is driving. And by driving he said "defensive driving." When I am not maintaining the proper following distance I will be checking the mirrors/guages every 7 or 8 seconds for 11 hours a day, staring at my written directions and cross referencing w/ the GPS.

    If I'm not driving there will be inspections, manifests, bills of lading, ###### truck stop food and lot lizards that will try to steal my wallet to watch out for also.

    With all things being even he said it makes no difference what "starter company" I run with because it is up to me to do my job, to do it with pride, without complaining, and most of all smile while I am doing it.

    I spoke several weeks ago w/ a recruiter from t/A and other than telling me that the 14/7 plan is in effect in SE PA the rest of the "spiel" was the same as what I heard from every other recruiter. Driving a dry box is not what I really want but the 14/7 slip seat program does appeal to me.
     
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  5. Joescheppae Q

    Joescheppae Q Medium Load Member

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    Aug 20, 2011
    Ply Mtg, PA
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    The T/A recruiter just called me back and said that they are currently not taking any driving school grads but once I have 4 months experience should call him direct. He said that I should go to werner to get those quick 4 mos under my belt so that I can start with them in April. Thats not shady, is it?
     
  6. eddyswife

    eddyswife Bobtail Member

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    Oct 25, 2011
    Pueblo, CO
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    that's interesting cause my fiancee just started with them four weeks ago, finishing up his miles tonite and heading back to rockwall for his last week of classroom training. From his experience I will tell you that you dodged a major bullet, find a different company, this one is awful. He's new to trucking but I was a truckers wife with my kids dad and he never went through the garbage this company spits out. good luck
     
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  7. buchhntr

    buchhntr Bobtail Member

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    Nov 16, 2011
    front royal,va
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    just to let ya'll know if you think mcdonalds is a g ood company to work better visit their site. you are expected to work whenever they tell and you are on call 24/7 365. i know i talked to them and they tell you this as they never close.
     
  8. bigdad1e

    bigdad1e Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2011
    grove city
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    ive been driving for 4 years. i started when i was 18 running across pa. i run for TA now. been with them about a 2 months. yeah i could have went to different companies. most want OTR which i didnt have. am i making good money.. ahh im making more than i would being unemployed. do i like not being home for months at a time. no.. but its part of the business. any and i mean ANY trucking company can mess up your DAC. if your a worthless driver then please dont be disappointed when it happens. i have 2 college degrees and im still sitting in a truck because its better money than whats open right now. im getting 2500+ miles a week with TA. my only bad thing to say is relays suck. i will be sitting here until 4pm waiting to pick up a trailer from another driver and cant enjoy a turkey dinner from dennys hahaha. if you think that every big company is garbage without being there first then of course they arent going to meet your standards. im out here to make money and TA is paying me on time every friday. if you want home time then get in a dump truck or buy a #### farm. haul corn. i dont know what to tell you.
     
  9. Freshenstein

    Freshenstein Bobtail Member

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    Nov 15, 2011
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    I was with TA from 2007 to 2009 and I didn't have a bad experience with them. When my brother died they even offered to have me take the toll road (which is usually a no no) across Ohio and Indiana to my home.

    I had an awesome Dispatcher though. Even my trainer wanted my Dispatcher.

    The main reason I went with them was because I was fresh out of school and they offered to pay me an extra 150 dollars a month to pay off the 6 grand loan. I didn't sign a contract to work for x months. If I quit then I wouldn't have to pay anything back.
     
  10. CA_Medicine_Woman

    CA_Medicine_Woman Light Load Member

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    Jun 3, 2009
    Oak Creek, WI
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    Transport Corporation of America, dba Transport America (TCAM) has been privately held it would appear since the end of 2009, according to NASDAQ. Looks like they did a buyback around that time (smart move if you ask me, from a business standpoint). I have not seen any reports that they have or plan to go public again.
     
  11. CA_Medicine_Woman

    CA_Medicine_Woman Light Load Member

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    Jun 3, 2009
    Oak Creek, WI
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    Despite the current problems I have with TA, they never "dinged" my DAC (the way Werner did years ago, and in a way which any carrier could tell was total BS). That's because my current dispute with them has nothing to do with my job performance or professionalism. This would be true of all but two carriers I've worked for (one already mentioned).
     
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