PAM and Home time

I am thinking about going to school for my CDL w/ Driver Solutions via sponsorship through Pam Transport. I am scared to death due to all the negativity I am reading on these job sites. I don't mind at all being away from home if there is money to be made. I just don't want to leave home and be broke and stranded..bcs currently I am employed full time...I'm just looking to make more money.

They want me to go to school for 3 weeks in Ft Worth TX and then start driving Team for Pam. I guess my question in all of this..is ARE THERE MILES TO BE DRIVEN and ARE THERE LOADS. What can I expect to drive each week?

Thanks..

 

Probably better off going to school on your own. You won't be stuck in a contract and you can start off with a better company and get paid more

 

if you are working full time (what 30-40 hrs?!?), live comfortably, and getting anywhere from 25 to 35k a yr ... then my opinion is dont rock the boat my friend. I was fortunate in that I made around 35k with PAM my first full year ... but boy oh boy was it tough ... but now things have changed there for the worst I hear so I dunno ... Make sure you keep getting informed... In OTR trucking (especially with PAM) to make the most of ure time you have to work close to 70 hrs a week everyday and when you are home taking time off, you're earning zero. So if you have a family ... this probably wont work for you ...if you have a sick family member; this probably wont work for you ...with PAM you will stay out a minumum 3 to 4 weeks.... and sure that's fun in the beggining but when u start to see those same highways over and over, it'll turn into every other job out there...

Ask yourself what goals you have in your life? If its to get one step in the industry then PAM is an ok option; but there are more ... Above all else. Be safe driver!

 

Thanks for the advice you gave me yesterday. I don't make anywhere near 30k per year. I make more like 17k. Pretty pathetic. So, for me to live comfortable starting out (no, I don't have a sick family member or a family that needs me home all the time, or kids or anything like that..) my expectation is at least $600-1000 per week. Is that unrealistic? I have that expectation bcs I know I am just starting out and I don't expect to make a million dollars my first year..and I figure it is going to be tough. I want to stay busy -- that's my main objective. Stay busy and make money and get a year under my belt.

If I can make $600-1000 per week, I'm set and I know I can do this.

I have to give these folks an answer by this coming Friday.

 

If you are taLking money after taxes; then it is rare with PAM; if you go with a good to fair OTR company then yes it's possible.... but some weeks at PAM I would get like a $300 check, the next $600 (Im talking about clean/after taxes .. I let the taxman figure out the other stuff) ... it all varies.... OTR trucking is famine or feast kind of thing ...just cause you got that $1200 paycheck doesnt mean every week is going to be like this... I really dont know where you live, but if you live anywhere near a big city and they have better paying jobs in there, then it might be something to consider even if you have to drive an hour or two everyday to get to work... cause when u are OTR, you usually work 70hr weeks and that is something that alot of ppl dont consider when considering the pay thing and then end up running away from this lifestyle disappointed. Best of Luck. Be Safe

 

Are you team or solo??

 

And I live close to Tyler, TX (a pretty big city)..about 2 hours east of Dallas.

 

That made me giggle. Tyler. A big city lol.

 

That's good. They can give you them loads out of trane.

 

yeah PAM has a ton of loads going in and out of there... maybe u can even get a dedicated if u prove u can be on time.. b.safe!