PAM training and the Honor Road Program

Thank you for your service, redcav, sincerely.
I know nothing of the honor program, but I could probably answer any other questions you may have. What kind of information are you looking for?

 

Orientation to me was a ton of fun. You can expect a lot of information to be thrown at you from a number of people who are competent and informed, and to me the dull and mundane stuff they even made interesting. One week of a lot of classroom learning with some skills tests (backing) at the end of the week. Lunch is fantastic and plentiful, dinner is on you. There is a minimal and almost insignificant salary the week of orientation, but enough to live on.

Attitude is everything in this industry, I find. If you get wrapped around the little things you probably won't stay. But if you go in with a positive attitude and keep your eye on the prize, work hard and stay focused, maintain that good work ethic and deliver on time every time, you can make a lot more than the $24k that you are currently making. I had a really good year, surpassing the amount (if only by a little) that is advertised, worked as hard as I possibly could and, because I have no family, took very little home time. As a result I saved all the money that I made this year. That said, I've seen a lot of people come and go because they didn't earn enough money to survive. Since I didn't work alongside them I can't speak of their work habits, but I can only guess that something about them was amiss. My experience has been very positive and I can only say that hard work is rewarded. Others may have a much different opinion.

The 10-speed tractors are new and we'll maintained. Governed to 64mph, you should expect to be a slow moving traffic hazard on most highways. If you are good you'll learn awareness to lessen the associated risks.

I believe that you can expect to be assigned a trainer almost immediately. No one I know has had to wait to be picked up. I was fortunate to have the best trainer in the company, a fifteen year veteran who recognized the importance of good training, and who will always take my call when I have a question that needs an immediate answer.

Tips for a successful and prosperous first year, IMHO, would be to get your Hazmat endorsement, (it is worth it and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise) team for the whole year (you'll make money while you sleep) , work hard and find a co-driver who works hard. I can tell you that I have made and saved a lot more money in my first year than I ever imagined possible.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

 

This is second hand info, but a friend who lives in San Antonio worked briefly for them working out of the Laredo yard running parts for GM I believe it was. He went there from my company because he wanted to be home more. He is also a vet and had some appts at the VA that he was struggling to make with my carrier.

He recently left them, only lasted a few months, the reason he gave is the same I have heard from every former PAM driver I have spoken with... Low miles. He was making less money. He recently started at National Carriers out of Irving and so far likes it, but it has only been a couple of weeks.

 

Caution: Stopping by the house may result in low miles.

Jus sayin.

 

Off topic but does pam use electronic l8gs?

 

I just finished training, in box me.