Trans Am Still

Yes, as a company driver this type of unfair swap/pay arrangement, picking up recoveries unpaid, rescuing loads/rigs from wrecker yards unpaid, etc. is the reason I left TransAm.

 

Trans Am is a starter company. Nothing more. Once you know what you're doing its time to move on. You will stand a better chance to gain your experience as a company driver. Most of the new drivers who lease don't last 2 months. Then have to train all over again at another company. Being company means you will get screwed over with swaps but there are things you can do to limit swaps. Schedule hometime every two weeks, adjust your schedule to night time driving and don't mess around by taking your time once you get a load run hard once you get the load. Keep that drivers door closed. Now none of this will prevent crappy swaps but it might help limit them. Once you get to 6 months experience there are other companies you can move on to but most decent companies want one year OTR experience.

 

Good Evening, I go to transam orientation tomorrow I have 1 year driving experience with perfect record and Dac. I want to come Trans Am because the lease program I want to experience being a lease driver before I go all in and out right buy a truck I know how to run as I drove solo and teams. I have experience keeping records from my time in the navy and also I just graduated with my A.S. in business management. I came here because some of you all have been where I'm going. How can one make this a positive 6 month lease where it won't be a waste of time is it really the company or does it fall on the drivers as to why they dont last?

 

Yeah, I told a TransAm driver just the other day, to try to stick it out a year, if not, at least six months. Other high swap areas, Gary IN, West Memphis AR/Memphis TN, Birmingham AL, East St. Louis IL, Oklahoma City, Amarillo TX.

 

Supa, sounds like you are set to go. Best of luck but I think you got this!

 

I'm not accusing TA I'm asking from the position of one who sees alot of Trans Am bashing which by all means may be accutate. I guess I wanting to narrow it down to who is at fault when people fail or is the system itself broken. Mathematically you can be profitable depending on alot of variables like fueling driving at 55 and wait times at shippers. The thing that I wonder is if the truck payment for example is 625 a week fixed cost why is the plus 5 cent deducted per mile for the truck as well that concerns me as now that mean my 84 cent turns to 79 cent. If I can run my truck and earn a true .28 cpm after deductions and manage 2500 to 3000 miles that will allow me to pay myself 500 a week and put 150 in my buisness account and about 100 for taxes weekly. I would feel like that's a humble start but I would be content with that. My only questions are is that possible from what I've read.

 

Yes, I have talked to many lease drivers who are straight out of CDL school, they have the highest failure rate. TransAm holds all the high cards in their lease. I have a 4 year degree and a lot of experience working with complex contracts and I could not fully figure out what I would be getting into with a TA lease from the information they give you up front, not only the wording of the contract but how TA interprets and executes the lease on a day-to-day basis. . That said, with your background and experience, I think you can expect to run 2500-3000 miles as a lease driver and clear .28cpm with TransAm.

I have to say I am shaking my head wondering why your expectations are so low given your experience and background. I could get you set up to make closer to .44 to.46cpm (with bonuses) 3,200-3,500 mile per week, as a company driver at the outfit I drive for now, without having to take the risks of a lease. Seems like you are willing to pay a high price to get the education of doing a lease. However, I don't know enough about lease programs industry wide to refer you to another better than TA (I do suspect better are out there).

 

Thanks, You know there are alot of companies that offer lease purchase but the equipment is garbage. I drove for Crete and they paid me 45 cpm. I dont want to be forced dispatch anymore that's why I dont company drive I stay out 2 months at a time and its always a problem getting home and I live in Indy. I only have low expectations because I know that some of the experiences that we gain in life are priceless. So for me to be comfortable and still be profitable with the ability to some what operate as an O/O is worth me taking a pay cut. I dont look at what I make weekly really but monthly and quarterly so with this in going to look at profits for 2 month time spans and if I'm losing money after at 6 months I won't renew my lease.

 

I completed the 6 month lease twice. First thing at Trans Am is you have to stay out 6-8 weeks. You have to time your hometime just right for the payroll period. Second at Trans Am there is very little room for mistakes. If you want to fix their equipment you will end up with tiny settlements. At Trans Am you only get paid if you move. No detention pay. Hard to get lay over. Be careful of swaps and always ask for an extra $150 especially if it's not in your best interest. Once you get a load run like your hair is on fire. Dont run 55 you'll waste your clock. You need to maximize your time. Their settlements are absolutely the most confusing in my experience. And it's that way on purpose. There's 3 different maintenance accts for reasons they could never fully explain to me. There are much better programs. I make 74% of the linehaul and 100% of everything else like FSC, detention and extra stop pay. Good luck