PAM Transportation

I dont see why they would not spend the money on a couple more mechanics or have 3 shifts so that way they could keep profits of the company up.

 

Trust me, any company that makes you wait a week for truck repairs needs to be avoided at all costs. I have never waited more then 2 days for a truck to be repaired EVER in 20 years.

Any company that gave a #### about their drivers would not have them sitting around that long. And I bet if they had to pay you a hourly wage your truck would be fixed asap or you would be put in another truck.

Drivers should be ashamed of themselves for letting a company roll them like that. But that's what you get with the happy to have a job crowd that is out their these days.

 

Not with unskilled and minimum wage labor ... and a few certified techs to cover a parade of half million mile freightshakers ...

Dedicated is the way to go with them - if you can get it.

There used to be a real nice lady as driver liaison ... forgot her name, but she would always take care of problems.

 

Well I agree it does suck to have to wait. Regardless of what you guys want to say about PAM Transport, they are a good company. One of the few fall backs are having to wait on repairs at our busiest terminal. If there is a wait that long and there are available trucks they will get you in one. As far as the available trucks on the lot they could have been either sold trucks or brand new trucks. As far as unskilled drivers, its basically a training company. (For those of us who didn't back a 53' wagon out of the birth canal) I think some of you need to dig back in that memory file and find your first couple months of driving a big truck. A lot of drivers that used to drive and quit and now are coming back years later have to go thru the same process as beginners. Instead of bashing all the rookies y'all are supposed to be teaching them the ropes. Instead, everybody would rather point fingers and criticize. As far as minimum wage goes, I grossed over $1300.00 last week and got home on the weekend. Just happy to have a job? Your #### right! Anybody that has a job should consider yourself lucky! I come from Elkhart IN. The worlds RV manufacturing capitol of the world. You used to be able to go and get 4 interviews a day. Until 2 years ago when 95 percent of them shut down. It devastated many of our lives. We got used to making $25.00 an hour + bonus # 50-60 hours a week. So ya there are some of that are grateful to have a job. Unlike some who chose to go on unemployment or welfare. My parents have agreed to help raise my son while I tried to re-build a career that hopefully would allow me to take care of my soon to be 8yr old son. Unskilled?? I have went from growing up on a farm to working in a saw mill to being floor supervisor at a wood shop to welding aluminum frames for the walls of RV's. Now I drive truck. 28years old and proud of any job that I do. I can't speak for all the "newbies". I am sure they have a story too. I can honestly say that the worst part of this job besides being away from my son, is that I am surrounded by people that aren't capable of thinking outside the box. PAM Transport is what you make it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to drive big truck. They have pro's and con's like any company. If you are a good driver you will be recognized. When you start off at the bottom you have to work your way up don't expect it to be handed to you.

 

PAM is a goofy company but not all bad. Even the repairs aren't that bad. The problems really come from Tontitown or their Texas shops with long waits. Avoid T-town or Irving, TX!! The Ohio shops are much better at getting the truck in and out.

There were times for me that the freight was way up or way down. Part of this is from PAM but part of this was on the economy and the shaky auto industry. Also some auto receivers by Dallas are horribly slow to unload so I put some blame on customers for making PAM drivers sit.

But really T-town doesn't really represent what all terminals are like

As for me it got me my first job trucking. I put in time and got my free schooling.

Finally any Vet would be spoiled and I can understand why you felt uncomfortable.

 

Miss Norma is her name and she is one of a kind! She does take her job and drivers serious. She is like a momma duck! Don't mess with her ducklings. We are lucky to have her! As far as the unskilled minimum wage workers I believe I may have misunderstood who u were referring to......with that being said I believe u have a good point, most of them are not certified. Are they to cheap to get cert. Mechanics or is there that much of a shortage? Not sure

 

Yankee are you still at PAM? I notice in one of your posts you said you "drove" for them for 2 years, just curious. I'm looking into Driver Solutions, Ft. Wayne. Actually am hoping my brother can get me into Forrest River on the line he's running now. If it doesn't happen I'll be considering trucking more seriously.

 

I went to Driver's Solutions in Fort Wayne to. I think it's a mediocre school at best but my tuition was free after fulfilling my contract.

I can't be hard on all the people there though. The classroom instructor was okay and most of the Range and Driving instructors are decent. It's just the limited resources that cause students to wait for their turn that can be frustrating.

If you've had previous training or been taught really well from your brother then Driver's Solutions is as good as any I suppose. You'll move past the class and graduate early.

 

Thanks for the input. I'v got a phone interview with PAM this morning. I'll ask the "driver agent" lots of question and report back.

 

Is it true that PAM stands for "Pretty Awesome Miles" or something like that?