TransAm

How long have you been driving ?

 

Almost 6 months. I know that's not long but I shouldn't be suffering like this still. Even veteran drivers say that. And I know they say stay at the same company for a year if you can, but I can't do it. They've lied to me about much coming in and I've hated them from the start. I need to see some changes. I've gotten a dedicated offer IN WRITING from PAM (which is important I've heard because then you know you're not being played with) but I'm more of an otr person. I've gotten offers from Werner but if I'm going to go there I might as well stay where I'm at. May Trucking has sent me an offer and I've heard back from Western Express but I've been leaning more towards TransAm and I just wanted to know what their weekly mileage was like for drivers and how they were treated by dispatchers etc.
All the veterans told me those were my mistakes when I came into the industry: Not getting what was told to me in writing, not talking to the drivers to see what's really up, and not knowing about trucking forums, etc. So I'm doing that now so I don't get blindsided again.

 

Your options are VERY limited with less than 1 year OTR ....sounds like you are considering a parallel move instead of a lateral move. Companies that require 1 yr OTR might accept you....but will require you to go out with a trainer for 4 weeks. Outfits that pay HHG Miles, Claim a portion of your Per Diem or Offer Lease Purchase should be avoided. Sometimes you gotta do things for the Bigger Picture ... My 2 cents !

 

What area do you live in ? Wish you had a year I'd point you to Trimac . Get specialized . They're hiring in many spots , 2 weeks out and 78 k a year. As young as you are get in the big spot don't waste your time at Mega's

 

Oh you know what they take trainees . I know you want OTR but check it out . You could always move up later Into OTR and live anywhere

Trimac - Denver, Colorado
Solo | Local | Pneumatic
Trimac, the premier provider of bulk transportation services, specializes in the safe, timely transport of chemicals, industrial gas, dry bulk and other tanker freight. Trimac has career opportunities for safety-minded company drivers and owner operators. From local and dedicated, to regional and OTR, Trimac offers a variety of opportunities to meet your needs. With industry-leading pay, extensive benefits and quality home time, you’ll find a long-lasting career with Trimac.

We offer the best paid training in the industry! Whether you’re a recent CDL school graduate, a former military service member or an experienced driver, Trimac Transportation has the perfect career opportunity for you!

Make up to $60,000 running local

 

I wouldn't consider it a lateral move if I'm making more money. If I'm not getting miles here and I can get miles elsewhere, I see that as a step up. With less than a year I'm getting a lot of offers, and a lot of good offers. Even a couple of dedicated runs which are hard to nab when you're new. I just want to make sure that the ones that have not put their offers in writing or the ones I've gotten the okay from are making good on their words before I do anything to prevent myself from making a lateral move. Like I said, 33 dollar paychecks and zero dollar paychecks aint cutting it. If I can go somewhere and make an average of even 500 a week gross thats better than what I'm getting. Even for a newbie, zero dollar paychecks are ridiculous. I might as well go work at McDonald's for that. It's not lateral. It's a step up.

But thank you for your response.

 

I like OTR for various reasons. I appreciate the info but OTR is the one thing I cannot settle on. I can settle on CPM (as long as it's not lower than 32), I can settle on benefits (because I can find my own), I can settle on trucks (though I'd prefer not to), but it has to be OTR. I've even turned down some pretty good dedicated offers. It's just not for me. I'll look into Trimac but if their OTR offers are the same as or worse than where I'm at, for me there is no need to look any further.

I've actually never heard of Trimac before. How big are they?

 

I'll be honest . You don't look or talk cheap . Don't sell out cheap . Trimac has OTR and terminals everywhere . I was leased on to their competitor JBK out of Amarillo. You'd get specialized tank training , another feather in your cap . Trimac is a big company . I only do business with big companies that aren't Megas . I love suits and smart people. Their OTR positions are paying almost 80 k a year . From what I can see , depending on terminal

 

I was a company driver with TransAm for a few years. In orientation they push lease on drivers. As Company driver, how they treat you depends on your luck on being assigned a dispatcher. They swap loads constantly and they try to avoid paying xtra pay such as layover. But they will ask can you do us a favor and ____.
Nice automatic KW trucks less than 3 years old. APU and power inverter and satellite tvs were being installed in newer trucks.
If you just plan on trying to finish out a year of driving then it can be done as company driver at transam. Never lease from them.
With less than six months expierience transam would not require you go back out with trainer. As long as you did it with previous job.

 

Hi Adrienna! I was at TransAm for a year. You could do far worse than them. Sounds like you are! I enjoyed my time there and made friends with some of the office people too. The miles are decent. They pull a lot of meat loads. I hear they have put in satellite dish TV now too, at no cost!! The trucks are nice and the APU will keep you comfy too. You should make 5-600 a week with little problem. My recruiter was Jonette Owens, my dispatcher, Tessa Mullins. Very good people! Even the safety people were nice too. I left because, I wanted more money and better medical benefits, but I pay for it now, too! Of course I make 43cpm too. The swaps can drive you crazy at TA but it is to ensure OTD and also to help get you (and other drivers) home on time for home time. Once you get a year there, you may want to look for a better paying gig with better benefits. Going to TransAm saved my career. Not all starter companies are bad. Enjoyed the OTR with TA. Best of luck Adrienna!!

George