To all you new PAM Drivers

Discussion in 'PAM' started by cudafish71, Jul 1, 2012.

  1. bigsunday

    bigsunday Bobtail Member

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    Jul 5, 2012
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    Well said,cudafish:biggrin_25519:
     
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  3. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    I'm so proud of you Cuda *sniff* and just to think it was just the other day that you and I were on opposite ends of the PAM attitude spectrum ... Great post sir. You've even given me some renewed hope in Mr. Finley. Who you gonna drive for now?
     
  4. djtrype

    djtrype Heavy Load Member

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    Very good post, sir. You provided a LOT of accurate information there. I can't say there's one thing I disagree with. September marks my 5 year mark with them and after Christmas, I'll be getting with Noggin again to try my hand at flatbedding. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.
     
  5. zentrucking

    zentrucking Road Train Member

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    Atlanta
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    And don't confuse a dedicated "lane", with a dedicated "account".

    The lanes are usually to the same 3 or 4 docks every week, week in and week out. Home daily or every few days.

    Dedicated accounts are often nation wide, brokered backhauls, and new unfamiliar places every week for less pay than OTR - but still all the otr headaches. Companies like to reel them in with "dedicated" openings that are nothing but.
     
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  6. Anarane

    Anarane Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2012
    Indiana
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    Hello, all.

    My fiance will be starting at C-1, Indianapolis tomorrow for the next few weeks. After reading this I, naturally, I have several questions.

    1. Currently, PAM is offering a $1,200 sign-on bonus for attending schooling during this date. However, on their website, they have a $200 sign-on bonus, and a $1,000 Annual Safety Bonus. Is it possible that they've offered this with the small print of the combination of the two bonuses? When would we expect to see this bonus if it is indeed true?

    2. My fiance is not interested in team driving. He understands that he will need to drive with a trainer, but only for the initial 4-6 weeks. If he is only interested in solo driving, will they force him into team driving?

    3. As I understand, most trucking companies do not furnish a Trucker-friendly GPS system, and that we will have to furnish his own. Is PAM one of these companies? If they do furnish a GPS, is it accurate?

    4. My fiance has a learning disability that forces him to learn at a much slower pace. Things must be physically shown to him, and repeated (and he will repeat it back) until he understands...sort of like a small child. Drivers/Trainers: In your experiences, how much patience did/do you or your trainers, dispatchers, DM's, and FM's have in such an instance?

    5. When it comes to making the basic, quick-fix repairs to your tractor/truck/rig/semi/whatever, how much of this will/could you learn in your school and training from PAM, or something that one would need to pick up from seasoned drivers, and along the road with experience?

    This is all of my questions that I have for this company. I have many other questions, but I will probably need to post those in corresponding sections.
    :biggrin_1square7:

    A big thank you, Cuda for posting this very detailed list. And another big advanced thank you for that plan on answering my questions. This business is new to me, so I am attempting to absorb as much information as possible for my fiance.


     
  7. Rollin2003

    Rollin2003 Light Load Member

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    May 9, 2011
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    Okay I'll try...

    1. "Requires driver to have applied for (or received) a Haz Mat endorsement to receive the 90-day $500 sign on bonus payout.
    ** Requires driver to hold a Haz Mat endorsement to receive the 180-day $500 sign on bonus payout." There's your $1000. When I left PAM they had discontinued the safety bonus.

    2. They currently (when i left) had drivers teamed up with others within 50 miles. But I heard it was going out as far as a 100 miles.

    3.They do not supply GPS, CB radios, TV's. You can get a trucker friendly GPS for around $300-$400.

    4.Most trainers have patience but hate it when trainees make safety related mistakes.

    5. Basic repairs as far as lights can be done with wire and crimps. Or as easy as replacing a bulb or light. PAM does pay repair shops to repair what can't be done by a driver. But do expect drivers to know where the fuse box is etc...
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2012
    J.irish and airforcetoo Thank this.
  8. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    On Question #2 though; as part of the contract; teaming is mandatory with PAM. And, from my understanding PAMela is getting desperate with the team thing, like rollin said going out as much as 100 miles.
     
  9. djtrype

    djtrype Heavy Load Member

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    New Orleans
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    Wow, Rollin left. Never knew.




    Rollin answered this one accurately. There is no longer a safety bonus.




    He's SOL then. PAM will put him with a co-driver for a minimum of 6 months within his first year of being with the company. He has no choice in the matter. The current criteria is 100 miles now as airforce stated.




    He's going to have a hard time getting through C-1 then, much less out here on the road. They don't teach enough as it is in the 19 days you're there, much less the 3-4 weeks he'll be in Tontitown AND with a trainer. I've got a ton of patience, but even that would drive me nuts having to deal with his learning curve.



    None.
    We can fix basic things, but we're not supposed to. Granted, never have I been told we're not allowed to change a light or anything of the such. I've never showed any of my students how to do basic repairs, because they're not fixing anything on my truck that I won't fix myself. My job is to ensure they know how to do this job and all of its facets safely and in a timely manner, not to repair the rig or trailer when something occurs. Sadly, it's all because of the backlash that if he told safety I told him or taught him how to do it, it would then fall on me for improperly training him and I refuse to put myself in that situation. It's all a clusterf*ck of insurance companies just ruining this and most industries.
     
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  10. Anarane

    Anarane Bobtail Member

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    Jul 8, 2012
    Indiana
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    Thank you to all three for answering!

    He does plan on getting Haz-Mat qualified, but wants to get all of the main training behind him first.

    The only thing that he is worried about with team driving is that he will be stuck with someone that would cause a problem. I understand that as cudafish stated, he can get a new teammate, if he discussed his issue with his DM or FM...but there is the chance that that person may, or may not do anything to help him and he would be stuck with that person for half a year.

    He doesn't have a problem with learning things, per say. He just needs things implicitly explained to him. In order to help him, I am also learning a lot of things via the internet so that I can explain stuff to him. I just don't have the tools to actually show him. I do have friends that drive, and may be able to get someone to give him a little bonus lesson. I have told him to study any materials given on the QC and logs nightly (taking in from your post about the new training program), and to take a lot of notes- both in class and with his trainer. I've made him study guides, and plan on making more on every topic that I can find. Possibly with a trainer like you, and me helping on the sidelines, we may actually be able to get him through with little, or no stress from his learning issues.

    Got it. I was just asking because of cudafish's comment. I appreciate your information, and look forward to reading more of your posts! :)
     
  11. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    Honestly lady, I mean unless you guys are in a desperate situation, I don't think C1/Driver Solutions is the best bet for you guys ... see cause it's like a gamble going over there in the first place, seeing if you 'qualify' and/or are 'teachable' to THEIR standards. Read my thread on going to C1 in Indiana ... the bottom line is, what are you looking for? Does your bf just want to be a truck driver? Or do you guys need help paying the bills? Get informed on this website; there is a lot of honest opinions on here ... Ultimately, C1/Drivers Solutions are a business ... and they will make business decisions ... so with this said, I believe you guys shouldn't truly expect special treatment ... and I know it's kinda harsh to say, but I'm only being honest and letting you know up front what to expect from the trucking industry. Best of luck
     
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