To all you new PAM Drivers

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

  1. Anarane

    Anarane Bobtail Member

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    He really does want to be truck driver. Paying the bills is a necessity for everyone, regardless. Special treatment? Seriously? I've lived my entire life busting my rear to get what I need and want. I never "expect" anything that I haven't worked hard to get, he does the same thing. In fact, he studied for weeks on end to get his CDL permit before going to school so that he didn't have to worry about it. He passed on his first try.

    So, no. We do not expect special treatment from anyone. Now, if you are saying that because of my comment, "He just needs things implicitly explained to him."...you should really look up the word 'implicitly'.

    If there is something that was worded in a way that he doesn't understand, he has to try to find someone to "dumb it down" for him. That doesn't necessarily mean that he will not "qualify" or be declared "unteachable". I have met, seen, and overheard drivers that make my man look like a rocket scientist.
     
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  3. CarpTruckin

    CarpTruckin Bobtail Member

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    I started C1 in Indianapolis this week as well and so far I don't think anyone has failed the pre-tests. He probably won't be able to tell until next week when we are out of the classroom and in a truck. The instructor is moving at a reasonable pace and I don't think anyone is being left behind so far.

    Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
     
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  4. sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    Pinellas county Florida
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    It may take a couple of trainers to get a good one. I was a trainer for Panels, and had many conversations with other trainers. One thing I tried to convey to them is everyone learns at a different pace, and in different ways. He has a chance, and if continually shows the desire to learn, and do things correctly, a good trainer will get him to the end.
    Do whatever it takes to get the year done, then he can go on from there.
    What part of Indiana do you live in? Lots of opportunities after the year is over.
     
  5. djtrype

    djtrype Heavy Load Member

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    I think airforce had good intentions based on what you've stated thus far with your husband's learning curve. With that said, if it simply comes down to vocabulary, he shouldn't have much of a problem. However, if he has a rough time taking and applying directions given to him verbally, then we might have a bit more of an issue. Granted, ALL directions are given on the QC for him to see, but sometimes, they're confusing as all hell. I've had to explain them to a trainee verbally so they could understand better. I'll even write the directions on the windshield with a dry erase marker to make them more legible when going down the road.
     
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  6. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    Houston, TX
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    Another thing I think airforce was saying about C1 and if he needed to drive, or just wanted to was....

    Are you and your bf in a crunch to make ends meet because he cant find good work now? Or does he just really want to drive a truck. I ask this because sure, if you're in a crunch and NEED the pay (albeit small pay in the beginning) of a truck driver, than go to C1. However, if you/he is in no rush to get his license and have the means to fund it, I would highly recommend him taking a course at a junior college or the like. C1 is, like airforce said, a business, and they care about nothing more than filling the seats with students, and teaching them only the basics for each to ACQUIRE A CDL. They to NOT spend time going over things like logs, pretrips, etc. He will probably only get about 3 hours total drive time on the road, and about the same on the yard course. At least, that's how it was when I went through C1.

    If you two are able, and a junior college course can be taken, that would be the best choice. He will get 6-9 weeks, I don't know the exact time frame...of training. A lot of classroom to go over everything, and a lot of hands on, to learn how to put the classroom into practice. I think it is even a little cheaper than C1, only difference is you dont have to pay it all at C1. You may even be able to qualify for some loans or something if you do a junior college.

    Just my .02 :)
     
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  7. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    Annnnnnnnnnnnd I just reread your post....especially the part of you saying "starts tomorrow", which obviously was before today....lol so, nevermind! lol
     
  8. Anarane

    Anarane Bobtail Member

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    Will PAM exchange trainers like that, e.g. his trainer keeps using technical vocabulary, even after it was explained that his vocabulary isn't very advanced?

    Right now we are in Southern Indiana. However, I have been planning on moving to Indianapolis in the near future. My former father-in-law works at Overnight/UPS as a FM, so in two years (and after getting his Haz-Mat and double trailer endorsements), I can get him on there.

    He's pretty good at following verbal directions, however, this is where the repeating thing comes in. (Example: You give him step-by-step instructions on dropping the trailer. He will repeat what you just said in his own words, just to make sure that he understood you correctly.) I do think that the QC is going to be a problem with him, it will probably confuse him until someone is able and willing to explain a little further (and with smaller words). Right now he thinks that his only problem area during C-1 is the gears. He already knows how to drive a manual transmission, and I've heard some drivers say that he will probably have issues with the 9-18 gear trucks out there (They are training him on 10, I believe.). I'm hoping to locate a tutorial for that somewhere so that I can rewrite it specifically for him.

    I do realize that I appeared a little harsh in my response to airforcetoo. I apologize. My stay here hasn't been that welcoming, so my sarcastic defense is up.

    We are in a bit of a bind. we currently live in a very small town, with not very many opportunities. I, myself, have been out of work for 10 months. The economy in this area is ridiculous, and because of the recent heatwave, it will only get worse. (Almost half of the crops here are already tasseled, browned, and only knee-high. Not to mention the cattle that have passed away because of a water ban in place.)

    I understand business more than you realize. I operate my own Organizing business, so that's nothing new to me. I've recently written him a PTI-E checklist based on the Indiana requirements. His fear is that he won't get the gears, and he will end up getting booted and stuck with the $5,000 tuition, plus room fees. Luckily, we live close enough that we can just go pick him up, and not worry about getting stranded.

    He doesn't currently have a HSD or GED, so going to a junior college might not be able to work. We've planned that once we get our budget in order, we are going to get that remedied.
     
  9. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    Sorry to hear about the tough times One thing about C1 is they give you one week to decide and leave, without having to pay...at least they did3 years ago.
     
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  10. sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    Pinellas county Florida
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    Yes, once he gets with a PAM trainer, not C1, if there is a problem with his training they can switch trainers. Again his attitude will be paramount to his training. If he doesn't understand something he will have to speak up.
    Please remember C1 and PAM are not affiliated companies. So first he will have to deal with C1 trainers. They should be helpful because the school gets paid by # of drivers put to companies. ***



    *** Before anyone jumps me and says "they get $6,000 per student whether they finish or not". Ummm, no they don't. PAM, USA, Carter etc does not pay $6000 per. And of they drivers, who don't finish the first year, how many do you think pay the full $6000? Zero! Drivers solutions recoups very little from people who don't finish, therefore C1 doesn't get paid. So, they make their money my people actually getting their cdl and heading to one of the companies.
     
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  11. Anarane

    Anarane Bobtail Member

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    Indiana
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    Funny thing is, one of his instructors doesn't like to answer a question more than once. Like today... they were learning about logging. The instructor didn't give very clear instructions, but gave the students an assignment to complete a few daily log book examples. A couple of other students asked her to elaborate on the instructions, and she gave them a lot of attitude. So, my agenda tonight is to find as much information on the log as possible so that I can tutor him via telephone. Yay.
     
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