My honest, no BS, opinion of P.A.M.

I got along very well with my trainer. I got along very well with the trainer I rode with from NY to TX.

That said I was never happier than when I wasn't in those trucks anymore.

NO TEAM for me!

 

I wouldn't know, i been solo every since got done with trainer!

 

You got down with your trainer? Kinky.....

 

Why not a 12 pack, some good ol McDonalds and sitting around watching all the other trucks sitting around doing nothing. What could be better than that!!!

 

I worked for these guys when I went through the C1 school, back in 2005. They got me my CDL, and I'm glad for that.

I did my one year there, 7 mos solo and 5mos team, doing the dedicated to Laredo and back to Ohio/MI.

Was not a bad company. I didn't call and complain or scream at them.

Once they saw I was doing well, my dispatcher finally gave me a load out west, to Phoenix, and I was ecstatic. I will never forget that day she gave me a load out west. I had been begging to go there. I even got to go to Cali once and Tucson once.

Their night dispatch leaves a bit to be desired...although one night I got back at them big time...hehehe


That load I had going to Tucson was in their computer wrong, and I knew it, my dispatcher told me that Friday it was in the computer wrong, but that I was indeed going to Tucson.

So Saturday night I'm sitting half way through New Mexico, when my qualcomm starts going off about 2am..... "Brandon, why are you in New Mexico???" 10mins later "Brandon please respond" 10 mins after that "Brandon please call us ASAP"

hehehehe after the qualcomm finally woke me up, I called them up and had some fun with them on the phone. They were freaking out because they thought I was 1,800 miles out of route. When I called them, I didn't let them in on the computer error right away.... hahahahaha those were the days at PAM.

I have thought about going back, but they'd have to pay me well enough, give me a new Volvo, and I won't do team, so probably not going to happen.

But if I had to go back to a big company, it would be PAM, if I could still be solo.

 

Looks like you won't come back, the volvo's are long gone.

 

PAM is a crappy starting company. I don't know Chip or this woman, but it was nothing but changes, promises broken, low pay and miles, the team obligation thing and finally after seven months things are evening out. They have a lot of dispatchers that leave, change, ect. This guy named Neil Harral will promise the moon and it never materializes. Tell your friends to go to Junior College to get your training. Its cheaper with better schooling and training (depending on the college) DO NOT go to a truck driver training school. With PAM it was four weeks in a Roach Motel in fort Wayne, IN. One third of every class is rejected, you pay almost SEVEN GRAND for your training and you get MAYBE six hours of week behind the wheel of a truck there. There are some good men there who can teach, but they have ten or fifteen students to one course. That means you may or may not be in the truck but twice a day. They start classes late and end early. If it is raining, no driving. PAM will mess you around a lot. They ahve some good people in Tontitown, but they are getting the shaft too. Their sister company is Central Transport and their outfit is about the same. I have talked with Barr Nunn and Conway and one thing I can tell you, if the truck is a pig sty, the company thinks that highly about their people. The Barr Nunn and Conway guys said they get home often, about every two weeks. They get better first seat pay,e ct. PAM does have a good medical benefit and because your pay is so low they don't care about you getting lost or burning too much fuel. My co driver and I make our own decisions and they rarely hassle us. They know we are working dirt cheap and they are screwing us out of our rightful pay, but we are new. That is teh trade off, you work cheap and get the life of a carny to go and learn how to make big money. that will be in another year when I have two years of no accidents, tickets, ect. Then you can run for Crete, Sheaffer or the other guys who are making close to fifty cents a mile with good benny's. I will probably go regional or local and sacrifice some pay to be at home more often. Good luck.

 

Thinking back on all the times I DIDN'T rub my trailer. All the docks i bumped, all the truckstops I parked at.

But in high stress or late night I screwed up 5 times. Not DOT reportable. Not on my MVR.

All DAC says is PAM would not rehire for safety record. And that keeps me from every other trucking company so far. Throw in where I live and that kills hot shot.

Why the heck did I not let dinner get cold and talk to the Lady from the railroad crew moving company!!!

 

So is Pam a good company or not... Looking at PRIME or PAM not liking the team for 6 mths but it is what it is. Any thoughts?

 

When I was making .25 a mile I got some good miles.

When I was up to .33 not so much.

I stayed out often 5 weeks so I could get some decent money. Just because I was available at 06:00 I often didn't start until 9 to 11am. I got left overnight 3 or 4 times without another load.

If none of this bothers you, PAM might be alright for you. They WERE starting to get new ProStars with 10 speed. And lately I haven't seen much but Cascadia and ProStar on the road.