TransAm Trucking, Inc. - Olathe, Ks.?

Jomm14, for your first job, where you work and live aren't going to be such a big deal. If a company hires in your area, it means they can get you home from time to time. So pick one or three, ask questions, read the good and bad about all of them, talk to their recruiters and if you're close enough to a truck stop, their drivers, and make a decision.

Your biggest challenge is going to be learning the business, staying away from a lease as a new driver (and TransAm will push HARD to get you into one with all kinds of promises and pretty words; they all cost money. A lot of money.) and staying with your employer a year so you can be more attractive to a "better" company.

Since you mentioned them as potential starter company and as one who has considered and studied both companies, and started at Stevens (I was "permanently medically disqualified" during orientation or I would probably be there now) I would recommend Stevens. It is a starter company with their own CDL school, if that interests you, and their training program is excellent. Plus they do NOT push you into leasing because they know you know nothing about the trucking business. You won't make much but will drive good equipment.

Learning about the non-driving part of trucking is the most challenging part. Based on your last paragraph, you have much homework to do before you make a decision. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the info O' Cranky One. It was very helpful.

 

Im still hanging in there. My miles have been really low. Just enough to pay the bills. Im still trying to recover from the last 2 weekends where the weekend crew left me setting. The dumb ape's. That is the reason I was asking about the working through Christmas thing. Im guessing it wont be worth the $1,000. To much of a headache Im guessing.

 

*sighs* Had my 3rd wreck today, since I've been out on the road. None of them have been my fault. Course, the FMSCA doesn't care about that. Not sure if this wreck will go on my CSA score or not, since no inspection was done.

Have to admit to being shocked tho, when the young man admitted that it was his fault.

Did more damage than I had originally thought. Bent the under carriage of the trailer and now the tracking is really bad. Truck on the fog line, trailer on the zipper. Hopefully, will get it fixed in the am.

 

With my second student in Hudson, Wi. it is a balmy 4 here got to deliver a beer load first thing in the morning. First student was talked into lease and he is quitting after second load. Did not listen to a word I advised him on and is having a real tough time. I am willing to work with him now but he has his mind set on quitting. This current student is not going to lease and I think he will be ok.

Here are pearls of wisdom if you are new to this business DO NOT LEASE as it is hard to learn this business and leasing puts more pressure on you. I would bet that more than 50% of the new drivers quit when they lease in the first month. Some are successful but most fail it is too much too fast.

I am doing good and will get an internet card when I go home 12/28. Then I will get on more often to post

Be careful out there and drive safe

 

Thanks Pete.

 

Good evening everyone. Panhandle, I'm glad that you are ok and no one was hurt..... and grateful that the person that hit you was honest enough to admit it and take responsibility. Hopefully they will have you moving again soon.

The weather is bitter cold here in southwest Missouri with plenty of sleet, ice and snow. The only ones enjoying the weather around here are the dogs ....they think it is some new playground made just for them. I have been seeing accident reports and hazardous road reports from Texas to Indiana. There are also some reports of drivers not being able to get fuel because the pumps are frozen. I hope everyone is tucked in and staying safe and warm.

I'm sorry it has been slow for you, kirk. It always amazed me how the weekend foolishness could totally screw up two weeks of paychecks.... it shouldn't be that way. I hope they get you back on track soon. Husband was always out during Christmas but he was a company driver and had no choice ....no Christmas bonus either. It was always a little slow ....not horrible, not fantastic.....just mediocre miles and paychecks.....however we weren't paying for fuel and making lease payments.

 

paychecks last dec and jan
12/3 323.84
12/10 1009.89
12/17 630.32
12/24 756.59
12/31 191.84
1/7 576.26
1/15 1504.84 that is the $1000 bonus
1/22 740.36
1/29 363.87

 

EMCHIEF, how are you feeling?
jormm14, a TransAm company driver starts out at .30 with a half a cent raise every 6 months.....unless they have changed it since my husband was there. If you go back and read the last 6 months or so of this thread you should find information on the miles, equipment and etc. that will help you in making your decision. We also have a blog ....www.roadmaptota.blogspot.com

Hiya passport and Cranky Yankee! Hope you guys are warm and safe tonight. The King was heading right into the dreaded ice line today with a delivery for tomorrow morning. He called ahead to see if they had parking and they told him no. Fifteen minutes later his phone rang ....it was the receiver, they were afraid he wouldn't make it in if he waited til in the morning and in their wisdom they decided to allow him to park there overnight. He has a load of Ice Melt on the truck .....I guess they figured out that they might need it!

 

My "recruiter" said the 30 cpm is permanent for new company drivers unless the driver gets bonuses. No automatic pay raises is one way to "encourage" a new-hire to lease.