Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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So I've been on the road for 2 weeks now and have been paying attention to where other drivers and putting there GPS systems. So I bought a Rand McNally and have head so many mixed responses as to where the best place to put it is. The charge cable port os located on the rear of the device so I can't mount it flat on a surface but I have it mounted on the windshield right under the PrePass/EZPASS module near the tip of the windshield.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.
Alright so it's been awhile since I updated this. Haven't had any Internet for some time but it's back now so here it is.
I upgraded on the 20th of April and have been running the road since. After 2 weeks out here I can tell that it isn't as bad as I anticipated it to be or by what others have mentioned. There are definitely the ups and downs for sure but it's trucking right? How easy could it really be?
Since I am waiting on a team driver I have been running solo and it's okay but I think I would prefer team but that we will know for sure soon (II pick him up next week sometime) . I just hope he can keep up and keep this new 2015 International looking as good as it does.
Other than the small details I don't really have any complaints about PAM other than the fact all the load assignments they have given me have been wrong. I spend a average of 1 hour on the phone and Internet looking and finding the correct places, addresses, times associated with the load. Said something to them and they told me that they didn't know where loads were going until the driver received the Bill of Laden, I call B/S. But I'm new to this, what dilo I know.
**Though it is probably Irrelevant by now, I upgraded and met my mentor in N.Little Rock AR.
A Meer 6000 miles under my belt but it's steadily climbing.
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.
Sorry for delayed response Disco. Nothing new to really add so far. Got picked up by my mentor a day late which was fine. He told me first thing the rules and how he runs things. Most notable rule was that no student drives at night during the first week.
Day 1 was a short 30 min backing practice in a Loves lot, aced it.
Day 2 was a 1 hour trip in AR delivering a load.
Day 3 was the first real driving day where I got to show some real skill.
By night on day 3 we were running team and have been since. Got 2200+ miles under my belt in just over 5 days. He drives days. I run the night and its been great.
Got my first week evaluation today and he had to keep himself from giving me all 10's. Says I can't be perfect on the first evaluation. Aha
Just chilling in the Sleeper for now waiting on some time to catch up from those 2 very short days.
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.
Alright Guys and gals, I have took my time off after C1 in the waiting to C2 (Tontitown Arkansas PAM grounds).
Here is what you can expect when continuing the journey there.
Left out of Charlotte NC @ 2:20am Saturday and arrived in Fayetteville AR Sunday 7:20pm. Had a 13 hour layover in Memphis TN and a 10 hour layover in Ft. Smith AR (Which is less than 1 hour from the Hotel where you stay at)
Non the less we made it to the hotel in Tontitown AR on Sunset Ave. Plenty of places to go and see here, throughout the week a couple of us made sure to get out and explore some instead of staying in the hotel all the time, stretching per say. General overview to keep things simple while offering knowledge on what to expect while at PAM.
5 day Week (Monday - Friday) Instructor will tell you to forget everything you learned in C1. Once in class on Monday they will split the class into 2 Groups. You get 3 days in class, 2 days on the range each.
(First day in Class) The class is huge (50+ people in 1 room) They will split you into 2 groups (Group 1, Group 2) Group 1 will remain in the class for the day, Group 2 will go to the "range" and start practicing maneuvers. Group 1 will begin with paperwork and listening to the instructor cram your face with tons of knowledge and you have to take test (7 by Friday, 5 done first day)
(Second day in Class) Classes switch, Group 1 is on the range, Group 2 is in the Classroom. You go over things like Safety, Hazmat, Backing, Turning, Logging and Some Map reading and meet some of the staff within PAM that you will be dealing with while employed here.
(Third day in Class) - This will be Friday, you will learn the Qualcomm system and logging on it, you will also spend the better part of 4 hours doing benefits and insurance paperwork as they insist on reading almost every single line of information to the entire class. Its very tiresome and boring ( in my opinion anyway) Best bring some red bull or something to help you stay awake.
(2 days on the Range) - This is the best part in my opinion. It is a nice sized square dirt lot with 6 trucks pulping 53` trailers. They split you into 6 groups and there is 2 people per truck at a time (The driver and the rider). You start on one side (Straight backing or 45* Backing) You pull out of the alley, left turn, stop sign, right turn, Small serpentine, stop sign, right turn, set up for your backing (Straight or 45 depending on the side you are on at the time) and get out and look, get back in and back it in. Wait for everyone to get ready and return to your starting position, back it in and change drivers and riders.
What ever you do DO NOT BACK TALK OR WALK AWAY FROM THE INSTRUCTORS WHILE THEY ARE TALKING TO YOU!!!!
You've been warned. They will not hesitate to give you a shot attitude and yell at you then send you to the front office for a "talk" with upper staff. Saw it happen with 3 different people. Then you have to write statements and I can imagine it is a pain in the ads.
Friday you will find out the name of your Mentor and where you will be going to wait for said Mentor. Some of us were lucky enough to stay kinda close and not have to take another 30+ hour bus ride to wait again. While others have upwards of 36-40 hours on the bus to get to this destination.
All in all It was a very good experience and I enjoyed if allot.
I am currently waiting on my Mentor to call me and tell me when he will be coming to get me so we can ride. It is a 2 week (14 day) ride that is mandatory to complete before doing your final testing at a PAM center to be upgraded to First Seat.
So here I stand and here is the information that I hope helps some others in their journey with PAM Transport. If you guys have any questions or need some other information please feel free to ask. Since the biggest hurdles are over now I can keep an eye on the forums again and keep things updated as I see fit.
Thank you for reading so far and I will be adding more information once I get on the road with my Mentor and giving my experience about that as well.
Good day mates. Be safe out there.
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Yea from the research I did prior to attending there was a lot of others who seemed to have a great deal of trouble with the Logs but for some reason I understood it. That and Hazmat was my biggest worries as I have always been good at driving (or a quick learner anyway). I spent the better part of 16 years doing automotive work and everyday the only thing I really thought about was "How fast can I get this vehicle fixed so I can test drive it?" I love to drive and ready to see some if not all of this country.
And the potential income is a plus also
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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I'm very good at waiting patiently.
Excellent job Jay. Keep us posted on what happens while out with the trainer!
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Good job Robert! Glad to see you are well on your way to getting into a new career and lifestyle. I myself just finished schooling last week at FTA through Driver Solutions and it wasn't the worst experience in my life as I learned so much in such a short period of time but it also wasn't the best experience either. Just keep your head high and take in all you can.
Myself and many others here on TT have used the High Road Training Program to aid us in getting ready for this new adventure in life and also use it as a refresher while out there waiting to help kill some time when the need arises which I will be doing soon I am sure. With the information that the High Road offers it will more than prepare you for what is to come.
Just don't let the backing exercises get to ya, remember to take some deep breaths and take your time. That seems to be the biggest challenge when it comes to the schooling but you will get it if you keep calm and don't let the stress get to you.
Keep us updated on how things go while in school and we all wish you the best. Don't hesitate to drop in to ask some more questions or even teach us something you may learn that others do not know.
We look forward to hearing from you again about the schooling experience.
Sammy
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.
Okay so things last week moved fast, the instructors got up and were even coming in on Saturday to get our class moving out the door. As of Thursday (4-2-15) I completed my CDL training at Future Truckers of America which put me and well over half my class finished in under a month. Me and a few others went to the DMV with our papers and got our CDL Class A.
While I could have hung around until Sunday afternoon I decided to go ahead and head back home and start enjoying the downtime that I do have available. My Orientation date with PAM Transport is 4-20-15 which means I will probably be leaving Charlotte on or around 4-18-15 but that I will not know for sure until next Monday when they send me the information in regards to travel time.
Man it feels so good to have completed the school and be another step closer to getting in a truck and hitting the road. While I wish I had the extra funds before school to get the finger-printing done so I could have all my endorsements on the CDL, I only have Double/Triple as of now. I will have to pay a $15 fee plus the Tanker & Hazmat once they are finally finished digging through my life.
I know I'm not the best Blog keeper but here it is. If nothing else it will be a reminder to me of what happen while there at Future Truckers of America. I feel that the instruction that we received was sub-par and you can definitely see how rushed it really is but if you are here on TT and follow the High Road Training Program you will be so far ahead of most that enter any school. With the help that the program here gives plus watching countless videos on YouTube and all over the web I was more than prepared for the task and am grateful that it is here for us new comers to use.
I will try to keep an update going in the general section as things progress further Though I am not big on Blogging I do follow the forums daily to see what's going on.
Thanks again for the support that was given through this training/schooling and I look forward to sharing some stories with all of you in the future.
Sammy
Posted: 9 years ago
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Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.
Okay so here it comes down to the final stretch!! Week #4 Day #1
So today we get to really get our hands dirty and hit the road behind the wheel. I got teamed up with a buddy of mine and 2 two weekers and we hit the road. Man did I surprise myself and everyone else in the truck including the instructor. He was so glad that he got 2 drivers that listened and understood what needed to be done and when it needs to be done. IT was almost as if we had been doing it for some time before today and he just sat beside us and joked around with everyone as we drove while telling us which way to go. It was glorious and a smooth ride that everyone enjoyed.
Being as our class is so big still, we only got 2 hours of driving time each for today of the total 20 needed. It was short but very sweet and we can't wait till tomorrow to get back behind the wheel and do it again, maybe this time we will get a few more than 2 hours.
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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Avoid running out of hours or enjoy time off?
So after a couple weeks on the road I have already had 2 resets and am wondering if it is better to just accept a reset or just push 8:30 min days and avoid the reset?
I have no problem working everyday and I have done it for years now for 12+ hours a day but what is the best way to go?
(7) 10s or (8) 8:30?