Advice?

Discussion in 'PAM' started by FireDog, Feb 29, 2008.

  1. FireDog

    FireDog Bobtail Member

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    Feb 28, 2008
    Roscoe, IL
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    I am soon going to be going through the Drivers Solutions training for PAM.
    Anyone have any advice to make it go as smooth as possible?
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank You
     
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  3. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

    28,025
    43,129
    Jul 23, 2007
    Midwest
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    There are several people here that have gone that route. I'm sure that you will get some answers.
     
  4. The Real BRICKMAN

    The Real BRICKMAN Light Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2008
    INDIANAPOLIS,INDIANA
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    :biggrin_2552:I have just finished drivers solutions at C 1 in INDY I liked it and hope I enjoy PAM I will let you know how its going i go out on wed or thur :biggrin_25511:
     
  5. FireDog

    FireDog Bobtail Member

    18
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    Feb 28, 2008
    Roscoe, IL
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    Thanks.
    I havent set up a date to go yet... trying to get some things here at home worked out first.
     
  6. The Real BRICKMAN

    The Real BRICKMAN Light Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2008
    INDIANAPOLIS,INDIANA
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    :biggrin_2551:Which drivers solutions would u be planning to goto? I went to the INDY CAMPUS it is the 1st 1 they opened back in early 90s it has been remodeled and is big with like 25 trucks and state dot is right there ive heard st louis is little dangerous intraining and where you stay !!!!!!
    :biggrin_25524:
     
  7. FireDog

    FireDog Bobtail Member

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    Feb 28, 2008
    Roscoe, IL
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    They want to send me to St Louis
    I have heard the hotel isnt that great... but I think I can deal.
     
  8. FireDog

    FireDog Bobtail Member

    18
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    Feb 28, 2008
    Roscoe, IL
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    Will PAM pay for the bus ticket for me to get there or is that out of my pocket?
     
  9. RedBeard

    RedBeard Medium Load Member

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    Jan 12, 2006
    Marianna, FL
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    I went through Drivers Solutions a couple of years ago. I ended up going to Arkansas State University at Newport, which is a C-1 school. I paid up front for my lodging rather than have it taken out of my settlement at the end of my first year. I also ended up working for USA Truck, but a lot of people in my class were going with PAM.

    If you go to the one on Newport, AR here are a few tips:

    Take some cash along - enough walking-around money for a week or so at least. If you provide your own transportation to the place, that'd be the most convenient but most expensive - I drove my pickup from Chattanooga.

    Avoid eating out. We were put up at a slightly dumpy but not too bad small apartment complex. We had a full kitchen in each apartment. Wal-Mart and Fred's are your friends. Buy cheap food you can cook in a hurry. There were a few pots and pans at each apartment - not enough utensils for a gourmet meal, but plenty for cooking up something quick and simple. Bring a can opener and try to think of creative ways to prepare canned soup :)

    Pack clothes you don't mind getting permanently stained - you will be crawling around under old trucks that are just coated with grease and diesel soot underneath, practicing your pre-trip inspections. If you go to the one in Newport, a thick sturdy coat will come in very handy - most of the range trucks don't have working heaters. This probably applies to most other C-1 schools - the trucks that have heaters and other things required to pass a DOT inspection are used for on-road instruction and testing, while the range trucks are the ones that are lacking something (or several somethings) required to pass a DOT inspection, but can be hooked to a trailer and backed up on the practice range.

    Bring along a cheap pair of work gloves for when you're out on the range. You'll use these later when you're on the road for fueling the truck, checking the oil, etc.

    Leave your ego at home - you will be challenged.
     
  10. The Real BRICKMAN

    The Real BRICKMAN Light Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2008
    INDIANAPOLIS,INDIANA
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    It has not changed much. Very good advice and stated very well good adttitude will take you far and bringing your own vehicle cause they will not pay to get u there you get 200 spread out over two weeks 50 after 1st week 50 after2nd and 100 after you get your CDL GOODLUCK
    :biggrin_2558::biggrin_25520: also work hard to get the pre trip down pat:biggrin_2554:
     
  11. dd6767

    dd6767 Light Load Member

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    Dec 21, 2007
    New Port Richey, FL
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    I checked into it a while ago. I'm here in Myrtle Beach, SC. You need to get there on your own. But if you are going to Newport, AR the school does run a charter bus from Little Rock to Newport weekly for $30 roundtrip. You can get a greyhound bus to Little Rock from just about anywhere. From Myrtle Beach it was going to cost me $68 one way. Not bad considering gas prices. Book it atleast a week ahead or the price doubles. I was also told by a guy at driver solutions that it's worth paying the price to take the charter bus for $30 to go to school in Newport rather than the one in Little Rock because it is a much better and nicer school. If you have any questions, I got my answers from going to Arkansas State University's website and calling them up. Good luck.
     
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