Trans Am Still

Yeah, I got it. I mentioned I should likely not post more...just to keep this thread positive. You and our queen told me to keep posting .. the good, bad and the ugly. You are getting old chief, memory is failing you.

 

Started with primary DM, carrying on with secondary DM, will like finish tomorrow with Primary.

I have not seen the final dispatch, secondary just sent a message that says there are more miles built in since they are not going to do the swap right at Spring Grove. As in, I will have to drive out to get the swap which also means more miles to drive back to make the delivery. It may have up to 300 miles. Nothing to get thrilled about but it will work out to at least close enough to fair that I will not have to refuse. I'll know tomorrow morning when I get the dispatch.

 

let me have my fun!

I do at times "bad mouth" but when I calm down, I do also try to balance it out.

We all out say a new driver should not lease with TransAm. I have coming up on two years as a company driver (15 months in the driver's seat) with TA. I think my posts will give an idea what can be expected as a company driver. TransAm does at times expect some unreasonable things.

That said, to get the full picture, you should read through enough to get the balance and not just when I have the flame thrower turned up to 11.

 

I hate to say this passport but, cranky is right, time to move on. I stayed there almost 3 years, and it never got any better. I was able to leave on good terms.......barely. Move on!!!!

 

Hey JCBel, welcome to our thread. As a place to start out, you won't find better trucks to start out. The trucks are decked out. Auto Transmission in ALL trucks, 2500 watt inverters, APUs, microfridges, pretty much all you need supply your own microwave and food. Also, these trucks have a pretty nice stereos systems with CD players and they have had SIRIUS installed so you can subscribe for about $20 a month and it is well worth it. So, the trucks are great.

Orientation is three days either in Rockwall TX or at headquarters in Olathe KS. Then you work on backing on the yard for about a week (I didnt go through training here) and then out with a trainer for a week before they give you the keys. One thing I will say, if you get in a minor accident, you will be dealing with the nicest folks in the industry. I have met the ladies in person and, on the phone first as I had a couple of incidents (one DOT reportable) my first week here at TransAm. You couldn't ask for nicer folks to ease a tense situation. TransAm is tolerant of beginner mistakes. They have been with me. That kept me going. TransAm allowed me to learn to become a driver. We, on the blog INSIST that you DO NOT LEASE. And you will be given a lecture and presentation on lease. I have heard a lot of people say they will force a lease down your throat! BALONEY!! They never forced one down mine. I told my recruiter that if I had to lease, I could not come to TA. They have honored and respected my wishes and not once have I even been approached about leasing.

Now, I won't say you could make a career here, the medical insurance is cheap, but really gives you nothing. The automated messages on your communication device will drive you crazy at times. Dispatch can be indifferent at times. The swaps may drive you crazy, but all part of the game. I have enjoyed my six months here. TransAm rescued my career when I thought I was done. I had a couple of incidences at Abilene. Been a longer learning process than I would have liked. You get your experience HERE (a year to 18 months) and you move on to a better paying gig with better med benefits. But for a starting point, this is the place to be!! I highly endorse and recommend TA to start a trucking career after finishing CDL school.

George Torres

 

Ok now that I have given my PSA on TransAm, I am in Nevada Missouri at the Peelot. Gonna leave at 3am for Dallas. 415 miles to go and then hang out in big D for thanksgiving. Wish I could score tix for the Eagles Cowboys tilt even though I am a Niners fan. My biggest frustration on this trip has been a lack of a fuel solution. Stopping for 50 gallons every 300 miles is tiresome. Not like I need all these shower credits. My DM2 keeps ignoring me. ALAS, I GOT A FILL ORDER IN JOPLIN for fuel. I just texted back, " God Bless You, you are my new best friend." This came from night dispatch!! Somebody does care!!! Deuces.

 

I am just frustrated. If you are starting out this is a good place to learn. Work is not always a bowel of cherries and sometimes work stinks. My previous 3 weeks are 3100 miles or more. So yes I would recommend

 

Insomnia has crept in. Gonna start in a few minutes. Got 9 hours 9 min of drivetime. Should be in Dallas in 7 hours so if I get sleepy, I can pull over and take a nap since I got a full 14 to go 7. Love this job! Yeah, I know, sick puppy.

 

Have a plan in place to move on, posting my experiences in the meantime.

My experience with TransAm had been getting better. Part of my problem, because I leave and come back, makes it look like I am a newbie with TransAm. The system at TransAm shows I started just a few months ago instead of almost 2 years.

I had fought fights with my old DM and she would stop or at least cut down and sending me on unfair runs. She knew I was going to stand up for myself. I am having to go through the whole process again, getting unreasonable assignments, then refusing with my new DM until maybe she gets the point not to waste time and energy sending the BS to me.