Help Newbie with USA vs. PAM

I have heard the best way to become a driver is to pay for the schooling yourself. Unfortunately, after 3 hungry kids, this is not an option for me. I am looking at Drivers Solutions and the offers available from their two major driving companies.

Basically, I am going to be stuck with either USA trucking or PAM for one year. After reading all the threads, it seems like these are the most common complaints:

USA: Unrealistic drop-off times. Driving has to be done "creatively" to get the load there on-time. No bonuses. Slow trucks.

PAM: Long wait times. Some drivers seem to get lost in the mix. Not enough miles. Some new drivers complaining about $100 a week checks. Slow trucks.

Benefits, which are important to me, look better at PAM. Bonuses look better at PAM too. Miles look better at USA. USA uses 10 speed transmissions, PAM uses automatics. Not sure which is better.
Pay per mile is better at PAM starting out, but after 6 months pay is better at USA.

Can anyone let me know how accurate those statements are, and which company I would be better off with as I enter my new career and why?

 

I can't answer you on PAM , but I went through Driver Solutions Indy campus and drove for USA for 2 years, the 1st two trucks weren't great but run good and pulled like a goat! I started off at .28 cents a mile but was up to .36 cents when I left. I don't remember bringing home a check for less then $500-600 unless I was home that week, and the best check I had was over $1400 after taxes. I had a great driver manager and he was my 3rd one, I worked with him for 18 monthes! the nights and weekend dispatchers are the reason I left, seemed like every load I was dispatched from them was a headache... But I made $39,000.00 my 1st year driving, granted I wasn't home enough to say so, I would stay out for 5 weeks and take 5 days off, then back out again, I tried the 2 weeks out 2 days off,, could hit the big miles on the checks and the days off were over too quick, I could get anything done. I was paid every friday, they fight you on your detention pay though, but they keep you moving for the most part of your time out. Send in you empty call and there is a "beep" on the qualcomm within 10 minutes or so...new load. As far as the getting creative with your logs to deliver on time , I never had to do that, if I couldn't make it there on time in my pre-planning I would let them know and either they bumped the time out (because there is abig delivery window for most of their loads, but they would like you there asap so they cut the time as close as they can)or they would have me relay the load after pickup, or not even get that load, and just move me to another load. the truck are slow 62 mph, but so was Celadon's most of the companies are turning down the mph's to save fuel right now... USA is not a stay with company but it is a good place to get your feet wet and get started in trucking.

 

I would say both companies are pretty similar.. an observation point of view I can tell you that PAM has trucks that have more room in them...

 

I made a little under 25000 my first year at PAM..rarely went home and cheated on logs. Trucks were nice...they leave you alone if you pick and deliver on time. But the pay...was BAD. Got my year and moved on...good luck.

 

thanks for the post.
i have a pre-hire from usa truck, and this is just the thing i was hoping to hear. i would like to try the 5 weeks out 5 days off system. i just hope to keep moving. i feel if i do my part (take loads, deliver loads, pay attention to my business) i will get the work and make the money. i know getting rich will take time and patience but i'm not afraid to get out there and work.
btw- 39,000 is more than i make at the warehouse after 10 years working for them.

 

Good Luck with what ever company you chose and Be Safe

 

it has been for me as locdrjr said above.
been here a yr and 1/2 .i am training now.
have always gotten the 2500 miles they advertise and most of the time it was closer to 3000

 

I believe most companies still use manual transmissions.

You might think about what happens after you get your time in with the first carrier. If all your experience is with automatics then it might be difficult to take a road test for a new employer with a manual. If you start with a company that uses manuals then you won't have to worry about it later on.

I've never worked for either company nor driven an auto but would like to try one someday.

 

USA is in the transition to more automatics.

 

Well IMO I would go with USA truck. I have heard some really weird things happen to drivers at PAM. (penny a mile)