Comments By The Chad

On what was supposed to be a Greyhound bus, but what ended up being some cheap version. Staring down the barrel of an 18 hour bus ride from hell. No wifi, no charging station, no book (because Greyhound said their busses have these things, and I thought "heck yes! movies and games, this won't be bad...wrong)

So now I have to ration battery power like a stranded man on a desert island with little food and water. What's worse is that this bus is the longest leg of my journey, then in Dallas I change busses. I pray that the promises of wifi AND charging capabilities along with more comfortable seating will come to fruition.

But while I *itch and complain I remain optimistic that what lies ahead of me is the reason I am on this bus. Freedom, independence, the countryside and highway as my office, and of course the money will be good. I understand a driver's first year is the lowest paying and hardest, but I love a challenge and the future looks bright!

Orientation is 4 days, then a first paycheck, and hopefully the Monday following next weekend I am on the truck learning to be a professional truck driver.

Now as I write this, my bus has come to a complete stop because a truck has rolled over on the highway...

Where is orientation? Isn't PAM in Arkansas?

Yes, it is in north west Arkansas, by bentonville

Congratulations Chad, best of luck as you continue into your road training phase. Safe travels.

Thank you, can't wait to get started on the road....not looking toward the 18 hour ride on the grey dog.

Way to go. Best of luck in the new adventure and let us know how it's going.

Thanks, and yeah I will keep everyone updated

After a 3 failed attempts for the road test at Stevens Transport, I signed up for PAM through Driver Solutions and attended C1 Driver Training in Fort Worth, TX and passed my road test on the first try. C1 is a quality school and the people really try their best to get you all the knowledge you need to succeed. Start orientation with PAM on 5/16 and I am really excited to get on the road and learn the ropes.

See y'all on the road!

Putting a comment just to get this to the top of the heat, so I can get more input. Thanks

Glad to hear PAM goes to Alaska, I'm training for them right now

Thanks everyone, I guess I will just make small payments to keep them off my back

I'm a bit confused to be honest. The promissory note is based upon you completing their program and becoming an employee. I wouldn't think they could hold you accountable of you never went to work for them.

If you don't make it through the school, you don't have to pay the $3800. But you have to pay them back for meal money, and the hotel. For me that is $800, and I will pay it back, but I have no income to pay now. And they are threatening to file some complaint on my DAC. As soon as possible I will pay it, but I gotta get through school and OTR training.

So I failed my road test 3 times with Stevens Transport, and now a prommissory note that I signed has been referred to a collection agency. The agency is is threatening to file a complaint on my DAC REPORT and something with DOT. The agency said that the complaint would cause problems with me getting loads because of an issue with bonds on the load being expensive, and maybe my license too!

Can this really happen, or is this guy using a scare tactic to get me to pay a debt. I paid $25 to get him off my back for a few weeks, but I know more calls are coming.

The thing that angers me the most is that they would do this over a $800 debt. I told the agency I have every intention of paying, but I am training with PAM now, and I got two more weeks of school, and then I'll be working. Right now I have NO income.

If anyone knows a concrete answer on this I would appreciate it. Unfortunately I don't want to take a chance of affecting my DAC negatively, but at the same time I would rather pay this when I am making $$ rather than deal with it during my training pay.

Thanks 😟