For Those Considereing Driving For PAM As A New Driver (going Thru Driver Solutions)

Today I was in communication with Driver Solutions about their program, and the information they provided about Pam Transport states that "...at any point in your first year you agree to be teamed with another PAM driver for a minimum of 6 months."

Just thought I'd pass this along because I hadn't seen this anywhere here. It's not good or bad, just something to consider if you really want to go solo for your first 12 months in the industry.

It's interesting they throw that in there like a "just in case" sort of thing. I wonder how often that ever happens?

I got the impression that it's pretty much a given that all new drivers will be required to drive team for at least 6 months. Maybe some new drivers at PAM can shed some light on it.

I went through C1 out of Indianapolis my first time. Didn't pass the school there as I need a bit more practice, but I do talk to a lot of my friends that went there and they are with PAM and they were all required to team up right out of training. Also have been told that you get the better miles as a team driver as opposed to being a solo driver. Not judging the company, just relaying info I have heard from drivers.

I do talk to a lot of my friends that went there and they are with PAM and they were all required to team up right out of training

Do you mean they have to team with another driver after teaming with a company trainer or are you referring to teaming up with a company trainer after the classroom and driving skills training at the facility?

Sorry for not being more specific. After being on the road with a trainer they had to pair up. In fact they has them list people in the class or someone they know that drives for PAM that they would be okay teaming with. Hope that helps.

That helps tremendously. Thanks!

This is the first time I've heard that about PAM. We actually don't get very much feedback from people that go to work there for whatever reason. But this teaming up thing is a crucial point to be aware of when making your decision about who to go to work for.

No problem. There is a lot of stuff written about them on the truckersreport but I suspect most of it is lies or just guys who hate life or cant get the miles they want that have nothing better to do than run down the companies on there. I was supposed to go to PAM whenI was in school with DS but PAM dropped me from what I was told was my diabetes. I have heard through the school that they are real strict on medical issues. But in all the limited time I dealt with them I had no issues with them. I found that they have a lot of drivers that have been with them for a while. Like I said before, coming from frie ds that work there, hard to get miles as a solo driver, but I suspect tha once you prove yourself that will pick up.

Yes. Based on my current conversations with Driver Solutions about PAM and the information they've provided, PAM tries to pair you with someone that is within 50 miles of where you live to team you with after you've completed all of your training and have started working for them as a proven driver.

Not necessarily a bad thing, but good to know. Though I haven't decided yet, I'm considering going the team route during the first year (with PAM or whoever) for a couple of reasons:

1. Since the learning curve is so steep in the first year, there's always someone there to help out with the inevitable issues that will come up.

2. Since team drivers should put in more miles, there should be more money in that first year.