Chickiemonster, Can I Pick Your Brain?

From the time I've been lurking about the forum, it seems you are the only TransAm company driver on here. However, I could be wrong. But I do have a lot of questions I would like to get answered from you regarding the company driver gig at TransAm. It seems most of the research I have done, a good majority of folks have a lot of bad to say about TransAm, mostly being about the lease program. Rest assured, I have no intentions on even thinking about leasing as it is way to dangerous financially to even consider as a new driver. So some of my main questions being, what has been your worst week and best week with TA as far as mileage goes? I know they do force disbatch for company drivers, how many times have you had to run NYC? I am not planning on becoming rich from this company, but assuming I do go with them, what can one realistically expect to make weekly once training is complete? Do you typically have a long wait period between loads? I read you're blog during your orientation, twice to be exact. I just read a lot of negatives about the company and I would really like to get a straight shot from the company driver view instead of everyone's negative aspect on the lease program. I have actually thought about going out and checking their terminal out in Olathe, I'm not that far from there, about 2.5 hours. But again I would like more info from a company driver view. I appreciate your time!!

My worst week was 2200 best was over 3200. I have an amazing dispatcher who keeps me planned up so I never have to wait between loads. Most of my waiting is done at meathouses waiting on my load to be done.

I've never been into NYC, only across. They only have one customer in NYC in the Bronx.

Pay is 30 cpm which I'm assuming you already know. My best check was around $500.

I've heard a lot of company drivers say they get relays and crap loads a lot but I have never taken a relay off anyone. I've had my load relayed a few times due to hours or hometime.

They have been great about getting me home on time, usually early. It's a little harder to get off hometime, but that's just because of where I live.

Expect a lot of New England and Florida. Also expect a lot of multiple stop loads. A lot of the lease drivers won't take them because they are a PITA but I don't mind.

The best advice I can give you is work your butt off. Run hard, manage your time wisely and make your appointments on time as much as possible. Company drivers can absolutely be successful if you prove yourself. I haven't run any less than 2600 miles a week in the last month and a half.

And don't listen to all the fairytales that the lease drivers will tell you. All of the training department were lease drivers and definitely like to push the lease. Stick to your guns.

You can always send me an email at chickiemonster8709@gmail.com anytime of you have more questions.

Just have 5o ad my 2 cents here. If you read some other forum sites, you will believe that all of the larger training companies are "bottom feeders" and have some nefarious plan to give new drivers just enough training to get them out on the road and use them until they either quit trucking or move on. I always think to myself that no company that wanted to stay in business long would do any such thing. Their goal has to be for you to be successful in order to be a profitable concern.

I chose Prime for my reasons, just as you have your reasons for wanting to go with TransAm. If the reasons are good.enough for you, then they are good enough. No one else has the right to tell you what you should or should not do. One of the best pieces of advice the old hands give on this site is to go in with a positive attitude and don't listen to the naysayers.

I wish you the best and a successful career.

$ .30 CPM? As a solo company driver?

That is like - really peanuts in comparison to a lot of the other companies.

CM - was there a compelling reason you went with TA?

Best check of $500 on a best week of 3200 miles? Do you have a lot of deductions being taken out?

Rick

$ .30 CPM? As a solo company driver?

That is like - really peanuts in comparison to a lot of the other companies.

CM - was there a compelling reason you went with TA?

Best check of $500 on a best week of 3200 miles? Do you have a lot of deductions being taken out?

Rick

Yeah I have a few personal deductions.

I went with TA for the automatics, hometime policies and the perks: APU , fridge, TV and DirectTV standard in all their trucks.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Those are some nice perks!

$ .30 CPM? As a solo company driver?

That is like - really peanuts in comparison to a lot of the other companies.

CM - was there a compelling reason you went with TA?

Best check of $500 on a best week of 3200 miles? Do you have a lot of deductions being taken out?

Rick

Yeah I have a few personal deductions.

I went with TA for the automatics, hometime policies and the perks: APU , fridge, TV and DirectTV standard in all their trucks.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.