truck driver

technician

trailer technician

tire technician

recruiter

TransAm Trucking

I have to hand it to the company on providing thorough training.  Training is three to four months long and you are trained in every department.  By the end of training there should be a good grasp on the overall links between departments and how operations are carried out.  However, in my case we may have been better off just throwing me into the dispatch seat, showing me where the bells and whistles are, and not show me the rest.  I have almost 30 years experience in the industry so I understood exactly what they were showing me, and most of it I would rather have not ever known.  

Their driver managers have a regular fleet of 55-60 trucks to manage.  They routinely end up with 2, 3 or even 4 fleets to manage, when another driver manager is absent, when they are short handed, during lunch rotations, shift changes, nights and weekends.  OT is routine, mandatory weekends at least once a month, ... and all on a flat salary which is a little shy of industry norms.  

The dispatchers -  driver managers - spend more time being cursed out and screamed at by lease operators than they do dispatching and managing logistics.  It's not exactly a pleasant job.  And has very little to do with actual dispatching or managing logistics.  When they aren't being abused by drivers they are doing redundant reports for supervisors. 

They don't run their own driving school that I'm aware of, but they do hire student drivers directly out of school.  I was also made to understand that they have no qualms about recruiting felons fresh from prison.  I asked several times about their driver qualifications, but out of the 18 inch stack of paperwork on policy, procedure and document examples they have given me, I still have nothing about driver qualifications or safety requirements.  

I guess that's where the horror starts setting in for me.  Most of their drivers have limited experience, if any.  Driving schools teach folks how to shift gears, make corners, back up and basic DOT regulations.  They don't learn how to run a truck profitably, even as a company driver let alone as a business owner.  The only cure for that is some experience, no matter who they are, how educated they are, what did previously, or anything else.  It can't be taught or learned anywhere but from the seat of a truck. And it takes a little while; not many overnight sensations.   

And these unfortunate people get suckered into this lease program.  If they don't learn, FAST, they will be in the hole, FAST.  To the tune of thousands.  For which amounts the company can pursue them as well as blacken their credit reports.  Their credit won't buy them a cup of coffee if they fail in this own-your-own-business lease program. 

More than half their lease operators are getting negative settlements every week, accumulating an ever increasing negative balance.  More than a few are well over $5,000.00 in the negative, several over $10,000.00.  Out of the half that aren't in the hole, there are a tiny handful, maybe 5 percent of their entire fleet, making $700 a week or more on settlements.  The vast majority are in the $200-$300 range.  Before taxes. 

They are self insured, both the business insurances and their health insurances for employees and lease operators.  Lease operators pay them for all the insurance on the truck, deducted weekly from their settlements.  The employee health insurance is nothing to write home about; expensive and not very good coverage.  They offer a different health plan to the lease contractors.  The premium is cheap enough, around $40 a week, with a $500 deductible.  The maximum coverage for any calendar year is $2,000.00.   And that's not a typo.  The maximum amount paid out in any year for any medical bills is two thousand dollars.  

As long as they are not DOT reportable, they don't seem to get to excited about accidents; parking lot fender benders won't get a driver fired, even if he has lots of them.  The lease operators have to pay for all the damages, and they own their own body shop where they train guys to do body work, so it's all good.  Until the insurance deductibles start hitting the driver settlement.  

Most of the people who work at the company seemed nice enough, but I don't know how they sleep at night knowing what their labors are facilitating.  I couldn't do it.  Sit there being cursed out daily by drivers who have every right and justification to be cursing a blue streak, and knowing full well there is nothing I can do to help them.  Their problem, their failure, is built into the system.  I can't facilitate taking advantage of people like that.  I remember when I first started the job another employee told me it is important to take care of the drivers because the drivers are where the company makes money.  Silly me.  I thought he meant the company made money from the driver delivering freight.

I worked for the company for two months and at least a week as a lease operator from the beginning I was told that I would make great money and if there were any problems I would have all the help needed at any hour of the day and that I would get 3000 miles per week cause I'm a lease operator being that they took 1700 miles off the top to pay for the truck 1428.00 dollars then .05 cents for mileage and that was off the total amount of miles so at 2700 miles it would come out to 135.00 dollars additional to the 1428.00 and it doesn't end there whatever fuel you use gets deducted from your pay mind you ,you're getting paid pc Miller which I was told were actual miles and aren't so if you get for instance 750 mile run you are actually driving 788 and are only getting paid for the 750 and you just lost 38 miles of pay and you came out your pocket for fuel on 38 additional miles that you had to drive to get to your unload destination and this goes on with all empty runs and loaded runs as well so the additional miles you drive to pick up and unload your loads add up and definitely uses fuel but you don't get compensated for the additional miles driven instead you get more money deducted from your pay and the excuse is you went over on fuel well I noticed this company designed this to make sure all employees go over on fuel so they can benefit from you and make money while you make nothing I was told I should get at least 700-800 weekly but have only been making 200-350 per week this company makes money off of all their clients and the employees and that's wrong they don't give you any help at all and talk to you as if you were nobody there is more but I'm sure I'll put you to sleep explaining it ,I'm currently in the process of taking legal action against the company for many reasons . NOTE:if you get them posses you will not get the mileage you want instead you'll get proper f***** and if you tell them you're gonna give them your two weeks notice you will be stuck wherever your at and forced to abandon your truck ,you have to make it home so you won't remain there and that's when they try and hit you with abandonment a little advice don't work for this company they are liars and crooks and don't care about their employees and the training team there are designed to suck you in with their lies don't lease don't do company go with a different company where you can make money ......

At TransAm, we believe in fostering an environment where every day brings new opportunities for growth and learning. Our seasoned management team provides guidance and support, ensuring that each member of our workforce has the tools and resources they need to succeed. Our workplace culture is built on the principles of collaboration, innovation, and dedication, where every individual's contribution is valued and respected. A typical day at TransAm is marked by the steady rhythm of operations, with teams working together seamlessly to ensure the efficient transport of goods across the country. From planning routes to coordinating deliveries, every task is carried out with precision and attention to detail. Despite the challenges that come with the job, such as navigating through traffic or adverse weather conditions, we believe that these experiences provide invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. Whether it's finding creative solutions to logistical problems or honing our skills behind the wheel, each day presents new challenges to overcome and lessons to be learned. One of the most rewarding aspects of working at TransAm is the strong sense of camaraderie among colleagues. We are a tight-knit community that supports and uplifts one another, celebrating successes and offering encouragement during difficult times. It's this spirit of teamwork and collaboration that makes every day at TransAm enjoyable and fulfilling. At the end of the day, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of knowing that our efforts have contributed to the safe and timely delivery of goods to their destination. Whether it's delivering essential supplies to communities in need or transporting goods that fuel the economy, we take pride in the important role we play in keeping America moving forward. Join us at TransAm, where every day offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the world of trucking. With our commitment to excellence, dedication to safety, and unwavering support for our employees, we're paving the way for a brighter future in the transportation industry.

Rookie job at a starter company for those with spotty track records. If you have a clean driving record and no criminal record, go elsewhere. Dont walk, run. And dont lie on your application. They will find out and you will have to make your way home on your own dollar.

Money sucks which is to be expected as a rookie driver. If you are experienced, you wont get the miles you need unless you go owner/op or lease. Company drivers can expect an average of $600 per week or less. Notice the word average and get the idea of $1000/week out of your head because it's not happening. If you make 35k for the year, consider yourself well compensated. Lease is a trap with a silver lining. You can walk away from the contract provided you pay what is due. Good luck with that.

Dispatch is going to make you scream audibly in public so be prepared for that. Dispatchers trip over one another often and you will be made to suffer. They will ask you for documents already sent while you are driving. They will relay you even though you have time to complete a run. They will call you during your 10 hour break so if you enjoy sleeping and require rest to, say, drive a truck safely...put your phone on mute and turn your eld off. Suffice to say they are doing their job. None of this is completely their fault so dont assume negative intent or personal vendettas. They have to because they were told to complete a task and things need to shift around in order to make on time deliveries. That said...hit a pillow.

Plan for the worst treatment you've ever had in your life. 34 hour resets will not happen except in the rarest of cases. You will move every day all day to the maximum your clock will allow. Unless you are relayed which will sometimes happen several times in a row leaving you sitting for the majority of your 14, making jack squat money. The idea that success is possible is a facade. Success is possible in the industry while employed by companies unlike trans am or self employment.

Get your 6 months or whatever time you need to get into another company or avenue of pursuit and get out of trans am and dont let them sweet talk you into a lease contract. You will anyway but you shouldnt.

If you want to make a living from driving truck, please i will advice you not to consider driving for TransAM. The whole operation there is a fraud, it was never set up to help young and promising drivers to earn a living from truck driving. Although, i don't know much about company drivers but i'm sure they don't have anything good rather to say about this company. I was an owner operator with them for 6 agonizing months.  I hauled for them from coast to coast in hole for most of those months. One thing they don't have is sympathy for the lives of those drivers and that of their families they are starving to death as a reason of their brutal and aggressive exploitation in TransAm's favour . There's no assured driving miles, but they lied to drivers that they will get at least 2,300miles on weekly basis that could guarantee them an attractive paycheck . It's a big lie, what they do is run you for at least 1,700miles which had automatically paid for their own part of the lease agreement with MHC, and the rest of your week will either be at IBP,TYSON or CARGILL wasting your vital driving hours waiting for loads to haul. They made you pay for the junks they attached to their trucks even when it's not useful for you. I drove my truck number 71611 under these condition for 6 months and all i got from them within these agonizing months was not up to 5,000 dollars the rest went to the expenses on the truck and the hole they deliberately made for drivers so their money could be siphoned smartly . A horrible experience i don't want to remember in my entire life again.  To make the matter worst, i received my W2 form from them after i had quit that i made almost 71,000 dollars during my time with them. Instead of the OTR experience i looked forward to getting hauling for them, what i got was rather never ever to trust any of these truck driving companies out there. I'm now a motor coach operator with Arrow Stage Lines, i only work for four days on the road, four days home on weekly basis with the best pay that no truck companies can ever match.

When I first arrived at Trans Am they rolled out the red carpet for me and the ones that were in orientation. Training was $50 a day and we stayed in the best hotels in the area. We went out for eight to 10 days with a driver coach and at that point orientation and training was pretty much over. Equipment wasn't really all of that! Most people we're amazed that we had Direct TV.. Flat screen TVs... Refrigerator and all of the other amenities that were a plus. But they only give you those things to pacify you. From the first day that I receive my truck it gave me problems. The APU wasn't charging and when I drove off of the lot had to return an hour later because the Apu wasn't working. So I sat a whole day waiting on them to fix it. At that point I ran a total of 2 weeks over the road... And then I took my home time. Home for a total of 4 days... But when I return to my truck it wouldn't crank. All of the batteries in the truck were bad.I Had to have it towed to Kenworth two and a half hours from where I live... Without the trailer. Then I have to drive two and a half hours to pick up the trailer and then go get my load. My truck was down a total of 3 days by which my insurance was supposed to cover those days that I was down. But it never did. My breakdown insurance was never applied to my settlement... And I found myself in the hole $1,045!!! For 3 weeks I didn't receive a paycheck and on top of that I was only running a total of 2000 miles or less a week!! My driver manager really really really dropped the ball. And when I requested a new driver manager they gave me a really hard time. After a month of not receiving a check, I drove to the terminal and turned in my truck... Couldn't take it anymore!! I would like to congratulate Trans Am on a job well done of screwing over my family and myself... Thank you Trans Am!!!

What is the best part of working at the company?
This company is trash  dispatch and trip planners are disorganized. There is a major breakdown in communication between the 2 making it difficult to manage drive time for a driver. There is no training for brand new drivers increasing the possibility of accidents and time clock violations. The driver managers lie to drivers a lot and they don’t pay layover, detention  or breakdown pay until after 24 hrs of sitting which is not beneficial to the driver. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Everything. It’s sad to say but everyday I was employed with this company I was stressed out. From not having the correct pick up information for the load I was sent to get. To having to call the driver managers every other fuel stop to make sure they had my fuel card open. To being stranded on the side of the road for hours. This company never consistently gave me trips that amounted to 2500 miles or more a week like they promised during recruiting and orientation. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
We TransAm only care about the load. Our trucks are new but we run em like race horses. If you pull over because you’re tired after driving 6 hrs of night driving and  don’t feel like it’s safe for you to keep driving through the mountains of Colorado from Kansas on your way to California, and your ahead of schedule. We will call you  in 2 hrs to tell you we need the load moving.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I’m sure ya’ll  have the idea of my experience so far it was terrible I got the point where I expected to have an issue either with my truck the trailer or the trip information. The night driver managers where rude as heck so if it wasn’t between 7a.m and 5p.m I tried not even call dispatch.

I went to work with TA after ask many times to the recruiter about home time due to I am member of the Army National Guard, in addition to this because they offered me the VA Apprenticeship which meant an additional income for veterans. At the orientation in Rockwall TX, the only terminal they have in the nation besides the main terminal in Olathe, KS, the personnel were really good and the accommodations as well, but nobody knew much about the VA Apprenticeship program, then when I started driving the flip the script on me saying that it wasn't possible for me to be at home twice a month when that was the first thing I asked and one of the main reasons after searching for companies that I made my decision to sign with them. Anyway home time is terrible, lease program they didn't harass me much on that due to National Guard status, but everybody else in my group were push so hard on that to the point that they ended up doing it, I saw some of the guys over the road and all of them were disappointed with that program most of the money goes to all the stuff they have to pay weekly i.e. truck payment, insurance and all that..., I left the company almost four months later due to the fact that it was conflicting with my monthly drills and family time and till today I haven't receive a single dime from the VA program because according with VA, TA never did the proper paperwork, and when I contacted TA they told me that they are not working that program anymore and left me in the air. Pay sucks, and they don't care if you leave cause for one driver who quits after dealing with their BS they have 20 new drivers coming in that doesn't know anything about them.

I did a 6 month lease. I was told by the Leasing Department (ONE Leasing) that I completed the lease in good standing with no violations or issues. I was told that many independent contractors like myself take time off before renewing their lease again. I could have renewed but I chose to take a few weeks off. ONE Leasing says I’m all good to lease again, however you have to go through Recruiting before starting up so they can file whatever paperwork they file on your behalf. This is not the first time TransAm has been disorganized with paperwork and non-communicative across departments. Recruiting has it in their head that I am now on a “no rehire” list. After several phone calls back and forth across Recruiting and Leasing, I am supposedly waiting for a call back from Recruiting currently. Last time I had to call Recruiting to find out they had me on a “no rehire” list. They did not return the call themselves. Apparently your job here is not stable no matter how much of a model worker you are all due to TransAm’s lack of organization with their filing. Again, this is not the first time in my experience as both a company driver and then an independent contractor with TransAm that they have messed up on filing (and ultimately admitted to it every time). Honestly I have no idea how this one is going to turn out. At least they say at other companies, you can get dumped for actually doing something wrong. But at TransAm, it can apparently happen to model workers over confused filing and lack of communication across departments.

Ive worked at Trans Am for 6 months as an o/o, and Im saying if you have a life at home or are trying to acheive any goals in life,such as bringing home a paycheck after working 60 hrs a week,DO NOT FALL FOR THE BS THESE PEOPLE FEED YOU TOGET ON HERE BECAUSE ITS ALL A LIE.The do not have enough miles for everyoneone and as my own testamony as well as 90% of the people I talk to in our terminal are bringing home absolutley nothing for a paycheck for months at a time. I am a coach for these people,and am on time to every load spoke to all the "higher ups"about getting my miles up and they always feed you the same line of bull that it will be better next week. I am the soul provider in my family,my husband is completeley disabled and I have 3 kids and 2 grandkids,they know this and still they continue to do nothing to ensure I bring home a paycheck. This company and Central Refrigerated have made me feel like I made a grave mistake even getting in this business.Not to mention their night weekend dispatch talk to yoy like your an idiot when you learn very quickly that they are the idiots. Its true that there are drivers that make money but Ive only met 3 out of hundreds. Are you in a position to loose your home gets your utilities shut off or have you disabled loved ones atr home living in a tent and on food stamps,chilling thier refrigerated medicines in a cooler that you cant afford to keep ice in half the time??If you are find a different company to work for cause this aint it. And watch yourself out there because 90% of the big trucking companies are doing this to vulnerable people just looking for a better life. If I could have given them no stars I would have but this didnt give me the option

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 3 salaries reported	$1,933 per week
Technician 2 salaries reported	$22.75 per hour
Trailer technician 10 salaries reported	$21.30 per hour
Tire technician 1 salary reported	$16.50 per hour
Recruiter 2 salaries reported	$50,000 per year

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