ATS/school

BigDaddy, ATS has been a good company so far. As far as the flatbed/specilized goes, that's what division I'm in now. ATS has different "classes" of drivers. You start out at level 4 and can work your way up to level 1. At each higher level you are able to haul larger and more specilized freight. The really big stuff, like the wind towers, are for class 1a. The way I understand it, you need to haul two loads of the next higher class successfully to go up a level. I think you need to "apply" to go up to the next level. Your driving record and safety record will be looked at, as well as how well you did with the load. My trainer has been here for several years and he has only moved up one class. He feels he makes more money hauling general freight than dealing with permits etc.. But others really enjoy the specilized stuff. I can't speak either way yet, I have enough too learn before I worry about oversized and specilized freight! Hope this helps, let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. I am still new so I don't have all the info. but i'll do my best.

 

BigDaddy, I can't argue with the hometime. I'm still in training so I don't have actual work exp. to go on. But everything I have heard says 21 days is average. That's the biggest drawback for me as well. My trainer says that he usually takes 4-5 days off after being out for a while. He says the biggest thing is of course getting the loads in on time. I would suggest calling and asking for any division you want. ATS has a van division as well and I know they are hiring too. It never hurts to ask. Let me know if you have any other questions, I may not know but my trainer probably does.

 

Hey all! Just finished up my training on Monday, got dropped off at the Gary terminal and had to wait a day and a half for a truck to be ready for me to deliver to St. Cloud. The good news is that it was worth the wait. I got my assigned truck on Thursday, and it was everything I could hope for(and more than I expected). I was assigned an 06 Volvo condo, with the work station. Now I know it's no KW or Pete, but for a new inexperianced driver hoping to take his kids from time to time, I am NOT complaining! And the funny thing is that I actually met the previous couple who had this truck. So if anyone knows Whitenight and Dragon Lady, let them know their truck is in good hands! I should be out on my own after the first of the year, so wish me luck!