Trans Am Still

I have done extensive research on Earl Henderson and what I found out that was most concerning to me anyway is that they have a partnership with Prime... As I understand it it is an advanced or advantage partnership in which they get there equipment from prime and in many case pull Prime trailers and loads. I also know that Wil-Trans has a similar partnership with Prime. Neither are owned by Prime but they do have a partnership of sorts. KLLM I know owns FFE in Texas. They have schools in Texas and Mississippi I believe you need to be a resident of texas to go to FFE school and Mississippi to attend KLLM school.

 

At one time I did take a look at Earl Henderson, dennisroc. I saw a lot of good things about them, but I haven't looked at them since they started coordinating with Prime. As Big Papaxx said, I didn't care for that alliance ....I can't explain why .....I just didn't like the idea of it.
Congrats on the job offer, though! Even if you don't take the position it is exciting to know that you are good to go!

 

As far as what has been going on here this evening.......I have been trying to find some polite and ladylike words to put an end to this ......but I am having a hard time. When you teach self-defense and how to subdue a combatant there are techniques called pain compliance that you use when all else fails. .....I would so enjoy using a few of those techniques right now.

Pete is cranky.....he knows he is cranky.....I know he is cranky.....anyone that knows Pete, knows he is cranky. He doesn't spend a lot of time thinking of how to word things in a politically correct manner. He has made all of us mad at one point or another He has no patience for ignorance and stupidity....and has no problem telling you so. He has also learned many things through utter stubbornness, he works hard, he is honest and stands up for what he believes is right, he will admit when he is wrong. He has helped more people than most of you could possibly know. He does not back down when he is right. .....neither do I.

This is not a thread to bash or flame TransAm. If you have a legitimate complaint that is fine and dandy ....feel free to vent and rant....but you have to own your part in it, because we always contribute in some way to what is going on. There are things about TA that just flat out suck and need to be changed, there are also things about them that are not so bad and far better than some. The regulars here made it through TransAm and learned to keep our head above water. If you want to know what we learned, we are happy to share that knowledge so that you don't make the same mistakes that we did.

Anyone that is married will know this is the truth ......women can remember word for word what was said years ago. I could go back through the thread and point out some things to some of the bashers here that they probably don't even remember posting.....but I do.

 

Also as you probably read dennisroc the owner of Earl henderson is the son of the man who bought Earl Henderson from the founders... He is the 1 who went into the partnership/alliance with prime not his father. But he is still learning how to run the company and I have heard he is a good guy but just different and not the business man his father was.

 

dennisroc, with your background and work ethic and the goals that you have in mind, I think a shorter training period would suit you better.....whether it is with TransAm or someone else. I know you will do just fine.

 

OTR is a way of life. You either love this job or hate it. There are good/great times and bad times. What works for one driver at one company might not work for another driver at the same company. You have to find what works for you. I have a million sayings but one I always told my students was "Yes that grass is greener over there but maybe they are just using different fertilizer".

This is a unique industry. Once you figure out what you want with the right amount of experience you can get it. Everybody has different needs. The hard part is knowing what you want.

 

Thanks Big Pappaxx , I have heard this too about Prime and FFE. I think if you get your CDL somewhere else then KLLM will still hire you but I am not sure. I am like you but I have been doing research for 2 years. I wanted to drive a truck mainly because I like driving and my wife likes riding with me.
We have traveled all around with my job and are thinking of moving back to the USA and just drive a truck.

I am more confused about the trucking industry now than when I started researching 2 years ago
I thought trucking paid a little more but was shocked at the wages some people start out at and even after a few years of driving. We are ok financially and just want to drive for the experience of it and getting paid a little to do so will be icing on the cake. So I'm thinking of spending my last few years (4) driving or doing something different. I have been working on airplanes for many years and want to do something different.

I also notice sometimes when I ask something on these forums things just go crazy , everything gets all turned around.
I will be 62 in Dec and tried to tell someone in one of these forums that I have driven a car for a lot of years so I do have a lot of "driving" exp just not in a truck.
Got about 1000000 replies to that one , but what I was trying to tell them a lot about driving is being defensive , trip planning , fuel management , pre trip , post trip etc.
I was not saying I had a lot of exp driving a truck just that I had a lot of exp driving compared to a younger person that just got their drivers license.
So yeah things blow up for no reason at times

Have you checked out WEL from Wisconsin , there are some great video's on youtube under JOHN VOLLRATH don't seem too bad of a company and he does a good interview with a recruiter.

 

Cranky I realize that trucking will not pay what I am making but it is not about the money its something I think I might enjoy.
Preparing for OTR : My home time is a few weeks in Indiana and Philippines a year. I have been OTW over the world haha. I have travelled all over the US , Canada , South America , Central and South America , Europe and Asia dealing with all sorts of customers , making arrangements for pick up and deliveries of me ,tools , luggage etc.... Dealt with language barriers , sleeping at different hotels all the time , restaurants some good some not so good , doing laundry or having it done. going to real nice places and some not so nice.
I think I might be ok doing OTR
If we only went home every 2 months that would still be a lot more than I'm home now lol I might like that.

I don't expect a perfect company but would like to drive for an OK company.

After all the research I have done if I'm not disappointed that will be nice but from all I read I'm sure there are good days and bad days.

The best thing I have going for me is I can just walk away from it anytime , no big deal.

Thanks for your input Cranky

 

Hey Jaso , how you been. This is pretty much what I have figured out over the last few years, thanks !

I remember when I first got interested in trucking I thought I would like to drive for TMC just because I love those black Pete's but then I seen a guy loading lumber and throwing a tarp all around in a cold rain shower.
I realized then that flatbed was something I did not want to do, lol

"Yes that grass is greener over there but maybe they are just using different fertilizer"

Very funny saying , probably gonna steal it off of ya lol