TransAm Trucking, Inc. - Olathe, Ks.?

^ I like TA truck stops in all other ways but TAs are the one place I have had problems at the pumps. Some days are just like that.

 

My DM knew I would be late after the fuel thing which happened early morning. She didnt seem bothered with it and said it was fine though I was frustrated to be late. Until the shipper got mad and then she was jumping on my back asking why I didnt leave sooner. I told her the same thing i had said earlier. That I can do 300 miles in 5 hours and gave myself an extra two hours for what should have been a quick fuel stop and a washout. It SHOULD have worked out, but didnt.

 

when I am down for HT or breakdown I check on my fuel card before I ever go to the pump
just like you it delayed me twice in my first 6 months

 

I think it has happened to everyone, Honeybadger. Husband lets them know when he leaves the driveway at home and reminds them to turn on his card. Don't let them make you feel bad for their mistake ....they knew your truck was moving and heading for your pickup. Shouldn't have to remind them to do something that is part of their job....but seems like everyone does.

 

As the driver it is ALWAYS going to be YOUR fault. TransAm, Shippers, Receivers. They are all VERY forgiving of themselves, they do not extend that same attitude to drivers.

It is a fun little game I play when situations come up, how will this be spun (and it will) so I end up viewed as the A-hole?

7 hours to do a 5 hour drive is a 40% contingency window. That is plenty. The shipper is likely mad as you may of held him up and he had to stay 15 minutes extra at work. It would be fine with him if you spend two more hours away from your family to save him 15 minutes.

In the end I just try to remember what my road instructor used to tell me at CDL school. Forget about all of the distractions (bad GPS, urgent messages coming through, phone ringing) and drive. Be a truck driver first. Keep firm control of rig, keep yourself and others on the road safe and all of the other stuff really does not matter all that much.

 

The first thing I always did before I started driving after home time was send a message to my DM to turn on my Fuel card back on.

 

Yeah it will be a new habit. These people turn my fuel card off at the most random times too. Not just when I need to fax the bills in. It gets annoying.

 

I figured as much, my first impression of the 660 is that is small and storage is lousy. I am not sure I want to commit to a lease just to get a 700 or 680. The money just doesn't seem to add up and if you have one or two bad weeks, you are screwed. Maybe in 6 months after I talk to some more lease guys and gals, I will change my mind. Who knows I might luck into a 700!Yeah, I know, fat chance! Just as long as I don't get one of those ugly purple 660's! LOL!

 

hello, i have been thinking of getting on with transam as a L/O for a while now. i was wondering about all there is to know about leasing, for instance: I heard the breakeven point was 1800 miles? Even if your a runner, can your miles suffer to the point where you cant even hit your breakeven point? When do you know what loads to turn down, or should you not turn down anything even crap loads or swaps. I read some of yall saying to message your dm if you have a problem or question. how quick do they respond to one of those or does it vary? Does your success depend on the dm you get, is it kinda like a crapshoot, hopefully you get a good one and if you dont then your screwed? If you have a problem arise that has to get fixed, which is gonna make you late, do the shippers, receivers, transam understand or are you gonna get scolded. Is the lease worth the headache of the business of trucking? I have no business owning related experience, Do you need that to be successful at it or can you just jump right into it and make a living. Is the lease tough?Please if you could tell me everthing you need to know, right down to the small things, that would be real helpful. Thankyou

 

I owned my own business for over 30 years before I came on here
If you stay out long enough it can be ok not great
if you go home more then 2-3 days in a month you will go behind on a week
yes your DM has to be good
remember as a L/O you pay your own taxes get no health insurance
and all the headaches

2886 miles last week my check was $893

2886 x $.30 = 866 for a company driver
I wont do it again