Transport America Transportation
 

T.rying to find out about these people have done a search on here ,nothing.Iguess I'm doing it wrong. Looking at the southeastern division .Thanks

It will come down to your driver trainee
 

rather you mesh with that person or not, mine was a religious selfish prick who only thought of himself!

What are you talking about? Idon't need a trainer,just want to know about co.

Well, the company is pretty fair, but if your a newbie, it is like any other comapny, it is how you get along with your driver trainee

I would also like to find out some things about this Co. from some ppl with first hand experience, as I have been approved by them and plan to go to orientation on 2/4/08.
Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Put the question out there and I shall reply


90% great
5% reg trucking comp crap
3% Things I feel should be differ
2% TA crap u have to deal with


Been here a yr my first job so also trained here.

wepwawet,
Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to wonder if anybody would.
I figured TA must be a pretty good Co. or that nobody on here ever worked for them because if they had and didn't like them then they would be quick to bash them.
Another question: do they have paper or electronic logs?

I looking for feedback on Transport America too,
I saw an add quote for .44 cent per mile for solo drivers? Need to call them I guess.


Other Important questions:

haz-mat required?
inverters allowed in trucks?
cabinet doors or nets?
forced dispatch or load select?
assigned driver manager/dispatcher or zone dispatch?
48states irregular route or specific freight lanes?
can they get me home?

Seems like I get a letter from them every week. Right up there with MasterCard and Visa.

ok, so if you get a letter from them every week--please enlighten me--

I just went to their web site...found 'somewhat' of an answer for a couple of those questions which elude me.

10+years = .44**

**= for exceptional work history

the ** needs more clear cut defining.

there's a place on the downloadable application where you enter 'Yes' or 'No' under haz-mat endorcement. So, Maybe required...maybe ..not?

looks like east of I-35 freight lanes--and mostly north of mason-dixie line

all the other questions still are open begging for answers.

:scratching my head on this one: did rockie post his response in the wrong thread???? newbie's getting along with their trainees???? so, what does this mean---the blind, leading/training the blind????

Also (unless I overlooked it) .... when looking for a new company

how close is thier Yard to your home .... on hometime will you require

a place to park the big truck.

cabinet doors and inverter size are important questions???? how about how good and how much are the benefits? when do they kick in? how much is 401k match? these are important questions, this is why people have the wrong idea about these companies and when things go wrong it is all the companies fault because they are rotten ass liars. man, we need to start asking good thought out questions tha really matter in life.

TA does not require hazmat. Also, their hiring area map on their website clearly shows you the home time schedule for the different areas.

My trainer was fired from TA, I've moved on, got my settlement, my DAC report cleared. Like I said, they came around , but I had to have a Havard Lawyer to get them to see what happened. That is all I can say legally

well--to me these are important questions--I've been doing this for 15years.

the cabinet doors question is because-- I already know they run Freighliner Columbia---the question is a 'lifestyle' question---is the company Cheap with stripped equipment(nets) or well spec'd equipment--cabinet doors.

If you live/work OTR--and have experienced both you'd know what a pain in the ass those nets are.

Inverters allowed or not allowed is important----
the more $$$$ you can save in living expenses the better off you are-- more money in YOUR pocket

You do realize that --being "allowed" to have an inverter is = to .03cents a mile? the difference between $150.00 a week or $65.00 a week.


It's an OTR company----there are NO benefits
at least not to any great difference----they're all about the same in the benefit department---put them all in a bag shake em up--and you couldn't hardly tell the same.

401K is usually the same--fortunately there-- it's covered under government regulations---again not too much difference their either.

their web site is : http//www.transportamerica.com



they answer most of the "important" questions that really matter in life--right there.

that's why I was asking the kinds of questions that can only be answered by someone who's been INSIDE or driven one of their trucks.

sounds like a bad experience with a trainer....or should we say---trainer imposter....bout the same caliber as the England Trainer in Pa that was recently in the news.

well there's actually 2 schools of thought on the subject of distance to Yard-


(a) living close to a yard- a) might mean getting HOME more often/easy.

or (b) just having to leave the truck at yard(with all your stuff in it) and driving/leaving a personal vehicle at said yard. And if they got your home number---sometimes you find yourself.....ON CALL instead of OFF DUTY


I've found I enjoy parking my assigned tractor IN MY DRIVEWAY while on time off---and this is actually easier by living FAR away from the YARD-
also living in the south---southern companies don't PAY as well as NORTHERN based companies. So, there's that benefit as well.

But you are right---generally speaking if HOMETIME is really important to you living close to a terminal or End node of a freight lane is better.

Other Important questions:

haz-mat required? No
inverters allowed in trucks? Yes 1500 but only certain brands
cabinet doors or nets? Nets, but we are getting in the cascadas(sp) that have cabinets but you wont see one of those for a yr.
forced dispatch or load select? "Not" forced but better have a good reason other then you dont want to go there. or be prepared to sit
assigned driver manager/dispatcher or zone dispatch? Assigned FM
48states irregular route or specific freight lanes?Solos run mostly midwest east coast
can they get me home? Depends where you live from every week- every 2 wks


West coast as a solo you will see very little of. I just starting running team and seeing a ton of it 8)

thanks for the answers..... so you currently working for them-great.

so are all the trucks "double bunk" condos or mid-roof? I ask since they they run teams too- do they "encourage" or attempt to team - solo drivers up-"match making" or do they leave solo drivers to their rat killing?

how about Arkansas/ Southern Missouri---very much freight in/out/through there?

so not forced dispatch---but they don't send anything like an "offer" which has say 3 or 4 choices to let the driver choose from? still sounds like a forced but "let's get along" dispatch enviroment.

an inverter worth .03 per mile?? wow. not sure i would reject a company that has nets instead of cabinet doors. it is a company truck, a company truck is a compay truck...not o/o specd. if you have been at this for 15 years then you would know that, and you would also know that most large companies are all the same in most aspects. grow aset and make the decision that best fits your needs, not what all these guys think best suits your needs...cause before long on this thread CFM will pipe up and tell you how bad otr is and how wonderful his ltl gig is.

No they don't do any "match making" or hint towards you to team. I ran solo for almost a yr and no one ever even mentioned team to me.

What I have been told is we are getting rid of all our mid roofs and going 100% condos. but that takes time so I wouldnt be surprised if your first truck isnt a mid roof.

On the plan offers its just one they send, they dont send you 4 and let you choose one.

well--no, I wouldn't reject a company just because of nets instead of cabinet doors---it's just to nice to know ahead of time....yes, I have been doing this for 15years....and I can name a company with has nice spec'd company equipment with cabinet doors and the pull out desk(a nice plus)--Westside Transport--very nice quipment, Gordon Trucking also has nice company speced equipment, Dynamic Transit--refridge in company trucks, TLI,

right now, I'm working for Crete/Shaffer with nets---but, I've spent $300 and replaced them with cabinet doors and the desk/drawer---I like my comfort & high cents per mile too.-----but, a lot of trouble/work taking my stuff off/ putting it back together the way they issued it to me. Would be nice to find a company that is expecting their drivers to remain "on board" for longer than 6months.....this is another reason mega companies don't spec out their trucks. Show me a company with nice equipment--and I'll show you a company that a) cares about their drivers b) are expecting these drivers to remain with them.

as for growing a "set"--- I'm just laughing my ass off right now all the way to the bank. CFM is has a good point--- and every one thinking about OTR should look at the other options too. He sometimes loses it--and takes the anti-OTR rhetoric to extremes...but, can always be relied upon for consistence and to play devils advocate.

thanks again for more answers--looking forward to questioning you more...hey, what's your truck number--you can post it here or send it to me in Pm if you like......

My wife is getting some dental work done right now for the next couple months & I'm good here until May or early June---they've decided to demand I get my haz-mat endorcement by then-----I don't like being demanded to do anything like that---especially when they won't pay a penny more a mile to pull the crap & only 100.00 to cover the background check-- That leaves me with about another 100.00 for sure + lost wages + gas money traveling to and from getting it done.

I only see one problem--last time I called them-- I think I remember the recruiter said I live outside their normal hiring area( Arkansas)

laughing to the bank or laughing on your way to buy a paper to look at want ads....you are the one looking for a job.

well---what the hell are you doing here? trying to recruit someone????

yeah, I'm always looking for a BETTER job, MORE money, BETTER hometime? how about YOU? IF you boss came in the room right now and asked if you wanted a raise--would you say "no, I'm find right where I am".

If a friend you Trusted-- said "Hey, Man--come over here- I'll put in a good word for you--you'll be making same money some weeks, and sometimes 200-300 more a week-- and home more. Would you go?

Yeah, I confess---I'm always looking for a BETTER job.
But so far, I've been here for almost 3 years now.
I haven't changed....just the company polices are changing--the organization is changing---there's uncertainty in the air.

Shaffer is starting week#2- with their new Zone Dispatch & newly consolidated office within an office(Crete Corp Headquarters) so who knows.

nope not looking for a job, this s just one big CB radio that reaches out really far...i just love agravating people, especially know it all asses like you, cluggy, and CFM.

I can't wait to see your post stating that you don't have any panties on.

Like being on the CB, you just one big joke. You are most likely one of those CB Rambo's.....taking on drivers until one opens your door....then your true nature takes over...."I never said that....it was someone else..."

It is unfortunate that drivers like you still exist......

Well, come on, Rambo, what's ya gonna say next? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Gentlemen, lets stick to the topic please.
Hey wepwawet, I sure would appreciate an answer about the logs, whether or not they are paper or electronic. I was also wondering if you would kindly give me some info on the driving test?
Anything you can give me will be appreciated. Thanks.

My truck # 101239

Logs- We use paper logs but I use truckers helper and print onto our log sheets makes life easy for me.


Driving test- all that is a Safety rep will ride in the jump seat take you around town for about 10-20 min just to see that you can do it safe then get you into your own truck.

If you have anymore ???s post here or PM me if I missed one just remind me and I will tell you what I can :)

@ wepwawet

do you have any idea what your average length of haul is? overnights?

I worked for Westside Transport just up the road from TA for 5 years-

I know you all do 'some' Hon out of Muscatine--- care to give a little better picture of the customer base? type of freight is important too.

do you have any idea what your average length of haul is? overnights?

500-600 MI I avg 2800-3200 as a solo, Some overnights we do run FedEx

I worked for Westside Transport just up the road from TA for 5 years-

I know you all do 'some' Hon out of Muscatine--- care to give a little better picture of the customer base? type of freight is important too.


I did a ton of drop n Hook but you will see the docks your fair share. I have only been asked to Driver unload 2x in a yr to me thats not bad. Hon unloads all u do is move it away from the wall and they grab it with a forklift.

If I was forced to give a percent 80ish drop and hook 20 all others

well cluggy i said and i'll admit to that any day of the week. CB rambos start fights on the shoulder dumbass, i am just an agitator to douchbags like yourself that are all knowing, all great wonders of the world. yup, i said it.

You are no-longer worth my time.