PAM/Driver Solutions Training

Nighthawk, I remember you saying you weren't thrilled with the six months of teaming before going solo. Was this one of the big reasons for your change? And will you owe PAM anything for the schooling?

It was a very small factor. And yes, i will owe for schooling, but Roehl will cover the majority of the cost.

Nighthawk I find it rather amusing that you take the time to answer a question from someone considering going to trucking school, yet you choose not to reply to Old School, Brett or me.

Speaks volumes about where your head is. I sincerely wish you luck because you are going to need it.

Nighthawk I find it rather amusing that you take the time to answer a question from someone considering going to trucking school, yet you choose not to reply to Old School, Brett or me.

Speaks volumes about where your head is. I sincerely wish you luck because you are going to need it.

I have stated that I believe this is my best option. You all disagree. Short of arguing, I'm not sure how to respond. I am determined to make this career work and to work this career. I don't believe every company is one size fits all in any industry, even trucking. Maybe I'm wrong. But, I don't believe I am. 6 days of experience with Roehl is already better than the 6 weeks I spent with PAM.

6 days of experience with Roehl is already better than the 6 weeks I spent with PAM

Can you please elaborate? Thats really only covered orientation. Im guessing your negative experience with PAM wasnt necessarily the company, but more so the individuals you dealt with. Honestly can you tell us what your gripes were that made you feel that PAM did not care about their drivers? Many people read the forum even if they don't post and I'd hate for them to have the wrong idea if its something that they feel isnt as big of a deal as you do.

From the beginning, recruitment was non-chalant and seemed to barely give 2 poops about me. They did not explain to me what I could expect, except for what was included on the student portal. We were responsible for getting to the school. The school was ok overall, but there were definitely things that were not. Like equipment that was falling apart and way too much time spent standing around outside. I got my CDL and was assigned a mentor. One of his first questions to me was whether I still menstruate. He asked me if I'm fat. He told me to drive in flip flops to avoid having "stinky ass feet" on his truck. I was not allowed to use his fridge or bring a cooler. I complained and PAM responded appropriately and quickly by assigning me a new mentor. I was with him for 2 weeks. He showered once. His whole truck smelled like rotten butt. He raised his voice at me daily and rarely answered my questions. He was short tempered and easily frustrated. One morning, as I climbed down from my bunk, his phone was lying face up with porn playing on it. After I got off his truck, I was taken to a yard that was a tad less crappy than all the others, but was still pretty gross. The dorms were pretty nasty and the towels were stained. The showers were dirty, of course. During orientation, we were taught to throw away our long forms to our physical in case we are ever stopped by police. We were given the option to buy into a plan for an attorney in the event of an accident or incident. After 2 days of orientation, we were tested, which was fine. I was given a crappy smoker's truck and asked for another one. I was looked at like I'm a terrible nuisance. They did give me another truck. It was pretty crappy, but whatever. At that point, I was just done.

By contrast, Roehl's recruitment has been amazing. She and her manager both have been super sweet. They have told me exactly what to expect and when. They rented me an intermediate rental car, not economy, to get me out of PAM. They paid for 2 extra days at the hotel for me. The hotel is a really nice Comfort Inn. They provide a shuttle every morning to get to the yard, which is really nice and clean. Everybody I've talked to has been fun and energetic. They want me to make sure I keep my long form on me at all times and emphasize safety at all turns. It's all over the walls and in tons of videos and preached constantly. I can't speak yet about mentors or trucks. But, the professionalism and concern has been much greater here.

I know some of you will think I'm an entitled brat. That's fine. I did what was best for me.

Nighthawk

I am sure I am the minority here (not a driver), but since I have job stability over 18 years of service I feel like I speak from a certain amount of experience with life lessons. I will say, that we are all entitled to our own opinions, regardless of what others feel. Once a decision has been made, most times it can't be undone. For me, it was letting a Army Doctor give me a profile that ultimately is kicking my out of the army with 18 years, and now having to fight for a retirement check. (too much of a long story other than that). Reason I bring this up is because it was a decision I made, and looking back I wish I hadn't let the dr. do that, but it is what it is now.

Your reasons for moving from PAM are yours. Some might say selfish, near sided, or just plan ignorant. BUT, we all make decisions in life, and careers etc, so I hope you are happy with your move. Everything we do is a learning experience for good and bad, but a lesson nevertheless.

Best of luck at Roehl.

Chris

I know some of you will think I'm an entitled brat. That's fine. I did what was best for me.

Well that pretty much sums up your character, that's for sure.

Not one single thing you said has anything to do with the quality of either company, nor was any of it grounds for making a career move. To sum it up is real simple - you heard truck drivers were in high demand so you expected to be coddled. PAM didn't coddle you, Roehl's recruiters did, so you went with the company that treated you like your mommy does.

In the end, the only thing that's going to determine how you're ultimately treated is your performance. That's one of the things I love most about trucking - there's no faking it. Trucking will test you to the core in a million different ways and it never lets up. You can either hack it, or you can't, and the overwhelming majority of the people who try don't last a month.

I asked earlier in this conversation how badly you want this. You clearly don't really want to be a trucker. There's no shame in that. What I don't like is the pointing fingers and blaming others when things don't go your way. Either the man in the mirror can hack it, or he can't. That's the reality of what will determine your ultimate success in this industry.

Brett, I am amused that you think you know me.

Brett, I am amused that you think you know me.

Oh yeah, you're super tough to figure out..........

From the beginning, recruitment was non-chalant and seemed to barely give 2 poops about me. By contrast, Roehl's recruitment has been amazing. She and her manager both have been super sweet. I know some of you will think I'm an entitled brat. That's fine. I did what was best for me.

I was given a crappy smoker's truck and asked for another one. I was looked at like I'm a terrible nuisance. They did give me another truck. It was pretty crappy, but whatever. At that point, I was just done.

Yeah, you're a real tough puzzle to put together. I'm not at all surprised you think you're complex.

Thankfully, your opinion of me does not define me.