Pam/Driver Solutions Contract

Javon, you may have noticed everyone is getting up in your face about switching companies right out of a company's school.

I drove over 10 hours today. For some of that drive time I was cogitating on your first comments:

"Teaming" ... sounded good at first but as time went on i started to doubt the teaming with a random stranger whom I've never met ...

True, most people, me included, aren't excited about the team in a truck concept. I bet it was your excitement about a new chapter in your life, so everything about the training program was good.

As time went on, you began thinking about the lack of privacy, the "what if ..." worries, and that tiny space you'll both live in. And sharing a bunk?!? Talk about gross!

So by the time school was done, you had settled on the idea to split asap, and go with Stevens. And you have good arguments for changing your mind.

Now, here's the word you know is coming:

BUT,

You agreed by signing a legal contract with PAM/DS, with payment arrangements. "I changed my mind." won't cut it with a judge.

The howls of "No! Don't do that!" you read here are from people who have a good idea how the system works. Everything that everybody does in business is done quid pro quo. (Lawyers love Latin. I don't know why.) That means literally "something for something."

So PAM/DS did their "something", and in return you are expected to join up with PAM and do your "something". Anything else is not in the contract, and that will put you in trouble.

I doubt if PAM will want to deal with payments - they're not a bank, so they'll have a collection company deal with you.

Want to see your credit score turn to dust? That will happen when the COLLECTION code goes in. Been there, done that.

Javon, if you're still following this topic, your best bet is to man up, stand behind your commitments and call PAM. They'd be glad to talk with you!

Call PAM man, you don't want that credit etc hanging over your head. Stevens is a good starter company but so is PAM. I talked w them when I decided to get back into trucking and I will admit the recruiter never mentioned 6 months team. However it's not that bad. I drove for a team company years ago and had little problem other than sleep. Although my last team driver will still get a "smack" if I ever see him again.

I know and i can't argue with anyone, everyone is making a very valid point on just keeping my contract with Pam. Any yes i should've done more research but when i first started looking into trucking i just looked at it like i was applying for another job and pam was the first to call me and take me on. Like i said the excitement got me all rowdy up so i didn't do any background search or anything i just wanted to become a trucker. I'm still very excited to began my new career in the trucking industry i just hate now i have a little stress over my head. Some are giving me the pros on teaming and many are giving me the cons...and as i do more background searches on each company it also seems the .17 is the lowest pay in the industry by far. Can you even survive and pay bills on .17 cent a mile? I don't want to forfeit my contract but at the same time i need to do whats best for me and my family.

Javon, you may have noticed everyone is getting up in your face about switching companies right out of a company's school.

I drove over 10 hours today. For some of that drive time I was cogitating on your first comments:

"Teaming" ... sounded good at first but as time went on i started to doubt the teaming with a random stranger whom I've never met ...

True, most people, me included, aren't excited about the team in a truck concept. I bet it was your excitement about a new chapter in your life, so everything about the training program was good.

As time went on, you began thinking about the lack of privacy, the "what if ..." worries, and that tiny space you'll both live in. And sharing a bunk?!? Talk about gross!

So by the time school was done, you had settled on the idea to split asap, and go with Stevens. And you have good arguments for changing your mind.

Now, here's the word you know is coming:

BUT,

You agreed by signing a legal contract with PAM/DS, with payment arrangements. "I changed my mind." won't cut it with a judge.

The howls of "No! Don't do that!" you read here are from people who have a good idea how the system works. Everything that everybody does in business is done quid pro quo. (Lawyers love Latin. I don't know why.) That means literally "something for something."

So PAM/DS did their "something", and in return you are expected to join up with PAM and do your "something". Anything else is not in the contract, and that will put you in trouble.

I doubt if PAM will want to deal with payments - they're not a bank, so they'll have a collection company deal with you.

Want to see your credit score turn to dust? That will happen when the COLLECTION code goes in. Been there, done that.

Javon, if you're still following this topic, your best bet is to man up, stand behind your commitments and call PAM. They'd be glad to talk with you!

.17 cpm will be for all miles truck is driven. So if you drive 2,000 miles in a week and co-driver 2200 you will get paid for 4400.

Ahem...might want to double check your math there, Chris lol.

From a team driver...granted, my teamer is my husband and we get along fabulously, but our trainer was a stranger, and there were three of us for the first six weeks.

It's really not so bad. We each had our own pillow and sleeping bag. We always have someone to spot for backing and tight NY turns. We have company when we feel like talking and companionship when we don't. Like Brett said, newbies are usually much more cautious. As for sleeping in a moving truck... I was super tired the first couple weeks because I was afraid we'd wreck, but we didn't, and now I find it rather soothing; it lulls me to sleep. Like the group, my advice is to stick to your commitment...in the long run you'll be glad you did.

Oh, and we make .14cpm and we survive. It's tight, but the company isn't taking anything out of our paycheck to pay back tuition, which I believe most other training schools do.

Ha! Ok! 2200 then $&&@it!

Well how would tuition reimbursement work? Or is that kinda just absolute in my situation??

What are you smokin there, Chris?

Javon, I'm not sure in your case, but at England, we have a non compete clause, which means we have to pay the tuition and an early cancellation fee in full before we could work for any company that offers what England offers..mainly reefer , but everything excluding tanker I believe. Once the contract is fulfilled we could move to another company and if they offer tuition reimbursement, I believe they would add a little extra to each paycheck until the amount agreed upon (by you and the new company) is reimbursed to you. If anyone knows better how it works, please correct me...

Just out of curiosity phoenix, is that 14 each or for the truck? My brother in law is considering working for England