Trans Am Still

My mom is in the hospital for observation and testing. Saturday she had acute indigestion and sort of chest pain (was more like stomach pain actually ) all day and was not easing off despite various antacid meds. The chest pain bothered me. Knowing the two could be potential heart attack, I called 911. Her heart is ok, but the stomach pain is persistent. Testing is being done as her liver enzymes are elevated and to discover cause of the pain. I think dr expects possible gal bladder issues. It's all kind of worrisome as Mom isn't really a candidate for surgery due to various health issues. One day at a time.

 

Travis, you get a half a cent per mile raise every six months, but you have to complete the quarterly safety classes to get it. These can be taken online even from your tablet so no big deal there. You get 30cpm but only 18cpm will be taxed so you pay less taxes but if you go to take out a loan, your salary will reflect 18 cpm so its a double edge sword. You get $50 layover pay if 24 hours pass between your empty and loaded call UNLESS you deadhead 200 miles or more (you get paid for deadheading EXCEPT IF YOU ARE GOING HOME FOR HOMETIME. Again, you don't get paid for going home but of course TA won't charge you for the fuel you use getting home. If you deadhead MORE THAN 200 miles, your layover time starts 48 hours from your empty call or time available. This also applies if your truck is broke down and being repaired, or in the body shop due to A NON PREVENTABLE ACCIDENT or your truck has reached its trade date for the company to sell off (don't know when that is). This info from the company drivers handbook. YOU NEED TO TEXT YOUR DM TO COLLECT LAYOVER PAY.

Also you get $20 dollar extra stop pay for each stop between the shipper and final stop. This info will be in chapter 2 of the company driver handbook. There are quarterly bonuses of 1 cpm for every mile driven which is hard to qualify and are too many to list here but preventable accidents, late loads, DOT violations, hours of service violations will disqualify you. If you train, you get a 5cpm bonus while a student loaded or empty.

2500 miles a week is about right. I take hometime every two to three weeks so that will affect your miles obviously. I have had two weeks over 3000 miles, two or three weeks of 2800 or better, out of thesix months I have been here, the rest, 1500-2500 the rest of the time. There will be periods of slow freight and I imagine after the holidays when you come out, it may be slow so be patient. I started Memorial day with TA last year. June and July were good. August and September were slower, October my truck was in the shop for nearly half the month, so that was a poor month, November was fair and this month has been good, so far and won't get back home until after the Holidays.

No sign bonus but you maybe eligible for tuition reimbursement. TA just started this in the fall. You recruiter (mine is Jonette Owens-nice lady) can fill you in. I have said before that this is a good company to start with. Not perfect, no one company is. The experience I have gotten here has been terrific. Great Equipment, don't carry snow chains (big big plus) very understanding folks in Risk Management/safety (just avoid narrow streets and sharp turns) and enough miles to cover the bills (mine anyways). Hope this helps, Travis.

 

I sure hope she gets better soon and all is well. I remember my mother being sick and feeling so helpless just wishing there was something I could do. Keep us posted.

 

Anybody been to the Costco on Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas TX? Any overnight parking available? If not gonna shoot for the J in Hutchins x472 off of I 20 putting me just 14 little miles away from the all important first drop. Thanks.

 

I just got this post where you included " me too " it was about the time I didn't mention you in a post with everyone else. You are too funny At first I thought maybe you knew I was planning a trip on Saturday and then I got to thinking about it and cracked up laughing.

JungHo you have a great day , oh and everyone else also.

 

Question:

For experienced drivers who have only driven a manual shift, does TransAm send you out with a trainer for a week or so to get competent with the auto shift? Or is it trial-by-fire, alone in the wild?

 

Hey DD, nothing to get hung about. Easy to drive, but kinda tough to back. Hop like a rabbit until you get use to feathering the hammer.

 

So...alone in the dark. Again. Story of my life. <sigh>

 

Deffinatly ask a lot of questions about the tuition reiembursment, as the queen has said it may not be something to use if your cpm is going to be affected by it. And then of course let the rest of us know.

 

Jungho I hope your Mom doesn't need surgery and that this is just a scare.

Took out old dryer and put in new dryer. Now time to run around hardcore today so I can have time to relax tomorrow.

The company has a tuition reimbursement program. You have to bring in all your school paperwork and they pay $125 a month I believe but could be wrong on that number. Ask your recruiter and also ask what you need to bring in