Starting my career at TransAm

Well...the only constant is change. And the more things change the more they stay the same. I've been on the bench in Rockwall, Tx since completing orientation on friday. My coach was on his way to pick me up and had an engine problem. Kenworth fixed it and then broke something else. Stuff happens. The staff at Trans Am have been really appreciative of my patience and have gone out of their way to keep me comfortable while I wait. So I still think I made the right decision coming here. More to follow.

 

man that is to funny!

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but has anyone looked at the SMS ratings for TransAm? There are in red for unsafe drivers plus the other numbers are not that great. So if you're going to drive for TransAm you can expect a lot more inspections than normal and the company may go hogwild over safety now. There're also at a 13% accident rate where Swift and others are running around 7 to 8 percent. Just be aware.

 

Sorry it's been so long...but I've been on the road for about the last 2 weeks. I enjoy the open road. The T660 is a bit small for 2 big dudes but it's temporary. The driving is the easy part. Different rules at shippers and such and their paperwork quirks are the screwy part. But that's no big deal. I have learned that the more motivated you are and the less time you spend goofing off when you could be moving are key to your success. There is plenty of down time out here for the BS...waiting for your load at the shipper, waiting to be unloaded which could take 4 hours at some places...Walmart D.C.s come to mind...waiting to be unloaded or for your destination to open up for the day.
In the mean time I've been looking at whether to go company or lease. Both have pros and cons. Company drivers pay nothing out of pocket and get benefits like health insurance, 401k, etc. But they drive the older equipment that is less fuel efficient, smaller on the inside and will probably have more maintenance issues.
The lease guys make more money and get the new equipment, have more freedom as regards to routes and such but more comes out of their pocket and there are no health insurance benefits.
The big incentive to leasing in my opinion is the tax benefits...which is more of a long term view. Either way it depends on the individual driver and their specific needs.
Well...I'll keep mulling it over. Y'all be safe and stay the hell out of Texas! It's 112 degrees in the shade out here.

 

This story sounds SO familiar.

Hope you make out OK.

Good Luck !!

 

The trucks that company drivers are in, started out as lease trucks. There are no trks there over 3 years old unless it is one of the very few L/O's that are making a go of it.

 

Holy crap DO NOT LEASE WITH THESE PEOPLE. Ernie at Olathe will flat out tell you to your face, "If you want to make $200 a week go company, if you want over a grand a week easy go lease, you know what I"m sayin?!" It is a flat out LIE. They say you don't have to take any load you don't want as a lease, which while technically is true, man they will tear you a new one if you do try to turn down a load. I drove with them for 7 months and could not stand it anymore. Ask their lease agent what the percent of drivers that successfully complete the 6 month least is and see what you get. I was told about 1 in 4. So 25% of their shortest lease is actually completed, total red flag for me. You CAN be successful at TransAm, I've seen some weighty paychecks, but I just got tired of being treated like an idiot child who is nothing more then a number that makes other numbers happen, kinda like what Panhandle said. They will tell you all the amazing things that lease drivers get, hell I went in die hard company and was almost talked into a lease after my OTR training (that's when they hammer it in hard) but for you and your families sake PLEASE do not lease. At least until you understand the industry very well, and if you do then at least NOT with TransAm.
You're Con's with company is "But they drive the older equipment that is less fuel efficient, smaller on the inside and will probably have more maintenance issues." Fuel efficient, who cares you're not paying for fuel, smaller on inside, you'll get a T660 or 600 unless you do a 5 year lease and get a T700 with not really a lot more room and Maintenance issues, chances are not really on this one. Since if you're not rolling it's costing THEM money both to pay for the trucks lease (ALL their trucks are leased, what the "lease" drivers are getting is a sublease) and paying for the fuel your TriPak is burning they want to take care of company trucks so they are always making the company money.
Oh and I think I remember you saying your wife had a medical condition, if I'm right PLEASE look at their insurance hard. Unless they changed it in the year I've been gone they have a clause that does NOT allow ANY preexisting conditions. My wife is diabetic and they would NOT cover her insulin, lancets or test strips until I had worked there for a year, then they would cover some of it.

-+

 

NegPos wrote:
"Since if you're not rolling it's costing THEM money both to pay for the trucks lease (ALL their trucks are leased, what the "lease" drivers are getting is a sublease) and paying for the fuel your TriPak is burning they want to take care of company trucks so they are always making the company money."

It's great that you're pumped about driving for this company, but please read the above quote. I'm sure the company will raise their company flags and put on quite the dog and pony show. You're going to do what you want, that's your prerogative, but I encourage you to use the SEARCH function here and do some research on the subject of TransAm leasing. Learn the ropes as a company driver. If you "must" lease, there are better than TransAm.

I'm usually one of the most positive, encouraging members here, but have a friend that went down that road a few years ago. It was u-g-l-y.