Transport Corp. Of America - Eagan, Mn.?

There's a driver that works out of the Atlanta terminal that lives in Chattanooga. I think he goes home every other weekend.

 

Hubby is contracted to Transport America, as well. They're working out the bugs (consolidating job duties from numerous offices into just a few), and I think once they get things flowing better, it will be good overall.

I also now deal with them as a customer (they're hauling for us, now). I see the mess ups there, too. It's definitely not all fairies and sunshine, but at least I know they're trying to get it straightened out, and that's the important part.

Roadkill, are you an O/O or company driver?

 

That's what I figure. That works for me. I like the new hazmat pay also.

 

Thanks roadkill. I'm moving to Tioga county...about 50 miles north of Williamsport...60 miles from I80...so Mechanicsburg is out of range. Yeah, I could swing every other weekend...I would need a break after 2 weeks on the road. After a year and a half of research, Transport America is one of the companies on my short list, and Millis Transfer is the other. I still haven't decided if i'm going to do this or not...retired auto worker with GM...that decision will come after my wife and I make the move and get settled in. Retirement is nice, but with the direction this economy is headed, truck driving will serve a passion i've had since high school and supplement my pension/feed the bank account. Thanks again and drive safe...Dave

 

Company driver.

 

In all fairness I should include a couple caveats.

For one in an effort to save fuel TA is now turning all solo company trucks down to 62. Mine was turned down on June 2nd and I feel like I'm now running the slowest truck on the road. We are all getting a 1 cent pay increase as a consolation for the speed adjustment but I'm not crazy about getting passed by horse and buggies and kids on bicycles.

Secondly the bonus system is being changed. The ontime and safety bonuses are being dropped and the idle bonuses goes to a tiered basis with 1 cent being the same as before and a second 1 cent bonus available (but hard to achieve) for those who fall below a lower non-adjusted idle percentage.

Also, layover pay for company drivers goes from 150 to 100/day. 300 to 200 for O/O's.

The only silver lining is hazmat pay gets increased and they are now reimbursing the cost of hazmat certification.

Yes they are decent company, yes they have problems as does everyone else and yes some of their dispatchers and planners can be morons. But in my judgement the good outweighs the bad and if I continue to do my job I'll be all right here.

 

RK...I think you will be getting passed by fewer trucks as time goes by. Almost everyone is getting dialed down from 60-63 mph. Besides, you still get to drive a pretty blue truck.

 

This was a good thread!

I am going through CDL training right now at a local tech school. I am on week 4 of 8. I got my CDL last Friday!

Anyways, I have narrowed down my short list to a few companies. I had never considered Transport America until I saw this thread. I live in Woodbury, MN and Eagan is only a quick 10-15 mile drive so this may be a nice option for me!

Just seems like the $.29/mile is low? I see some companies offering newbies ~$.34-.38/mile. Am I wrong for thinking this? How much do family medical benefits cost with Transport America?

 

I thought 29 cents was on the low side at first also. However you get raised to 33 cents in just 6 months and you can get up to 2 cents bonus for hitting idle targets. Up until this coming month (July) you could easily get 3 cents extra bonus for basicly just doing your job (safety/ontime/idle) so I was really was starting at 32 cents. I hit all 3 bonuses every month I've been here and after 8 months I'm at 34 cents and can get to 36 if I hit both idle targets.

Another thing to consider is TA will run you if you want to run. I've had many weeks in the 3200-3500mi range. Many companies won't let a new (or any driver) get more than 2500.

In my first 8 months with TA as a new OTR driver I've made around $29000. so I'm on pace to make around 46000 my first year. In my book that's pretty competitive for a first year driver. ( the 17 yr as a trucker in my profile includes 16.5 yrs as a class B driver)

I'm single so am unsure the cost of family benefits maybe another TA driver will provide that for ya.

 

Thanks a lot!

I am sure it makes a difference as far as health benefits. I've seen some rather large companies that still charge $500/month for family coverage which is pathetic. If a there is a company out there that offers slightly less mileage pay, but has better benefits it would be beneficial to look at.

I've been looking at Bay and Bay as well as they seem to have a pretty good program. They also have other loads available which offer more home time and what not. I don't like the idea of being out for so long and away from my wife and son.