Comments By John P.

Got My CDL Permit today and Doubles Endorsement...!

Way to go, John!!!!

Thanks Bud!

I just found this website a few days ago as I'm looking to get into driving. Work in my area has slowed up to a crawl with few prospects and I need to keep the roof over the heads of my wife and dogs. I have been looking in the classified ads in towns around me and truck driving jobs are the most prevalent. My younger brother has been driving OTR for the last three years, says most companies are looking for drivers and has steered me in this direction.

I have been researching with the help of this site and with some advice from my brother, am looking at getting into a training program with Prime if they will have me. Seems like a pretty good company to work for and my brother says they treat their drivers well. He has even spoke to a few company drivers out on the road and they say the same thing.

A bit about me. I suppose I'm a bit older than most of those looking to get into driving at 53. I come from a 25 year career in commercial and residential construction and had my own company from 2006 until 2011. I'm in good shape for my age and my wife says I still act like I'm in my thirties. I have a clean driving and criminal record. I think the last time I got a ticket was back in the late 80's and no accidents.

So I guess my two big questions are, is my age going to be any detriment to being considered for a job as a trainee and is Prime as decent of a company as I have been led to believe?

Any comments or words of advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks for this great website.

Craig

Welcome Craig! There are alot of us older guys getting into this industry. I'm sure you will do very well! Good Luck!

Got My CDL Permit today and Doubles Endorsement...!

David, this is my experience: When it comes to first year pay, you just need to concentrate on doing your very best and building a good solid relationship with your dispatcher so that they know you are dependable. That is the key to making money at this stuff. It's not about making sure you get the most cents per mile, it's all about proving yourself to your dispatcher so that they know they can trust you with lots of miles. I made considerably more my first year than most rookie drivers, but it was because I did certain things that would boost my pay. I stayed out on the road for longer periods of time than most rookies are willing to do, I never said word about a load that I didn't like, I just busted my tail on every one that came my way. I delivered early any chance I could. I kept my dispatcher busy just trying to keep up with me. A good dispatcher loves guys that do that, and they will reward you.

Okay, having said all that I will tell you that Prime pays some of the highest pay in the industry for rookie drivers, and if you take one of their lightweight trucks, their pay is over the top.

This is great advice Old School. I'm planning on doing the best I can to follow the same philosophy. Put my head down and grind it out with a smile!

If I went with a company paid training then I wouldnt drive with him. I just thought it would be a good way to get the experience. After reading Randy J's diary, I am thinking about just getting my permit and going with Prime. So far thats the best training company I have read on the forums.

Still reading though. Trying to find what the pay is like while in training and driving with an instructor and also what it is when you get your own truck. I tried looking on primes website but didnt see anything about the pay.

Don't forget to weigh the option of going to a private school if you have the financial means to do so. Like a 0 % credit card offer. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement without the need for a contract. The private school route can open a few more doors. Whatever you do stick with that first company for a year no matter what. Then the world is your oyster!

Day 2) Review on General Knowledge, Combination and Doubles and Triples plus we highlighted all the Air Brakes stuff we will be reading tomorrow. The instructor gave us homework; which is just reading ONLY THE HIGHLIGHTED AREAS WE HAVE COVERED SO FAR.....plus I have to study for the class C test as well since they will make me take that again. I just went to the DMV site and did the practice tests plus I read the manual. Anyway, we waste alot of time waiting but the training seems to be pretty effective. I guess I'll know if I don't get my permit on Friday!

The training program really works. The repetition helps. Go ahead and do as many as you can. I tested on the basics first when I got my permit including Tanker and Doubles. I went back later for the Hazmat. Good to get it all out of the way. Either way keep drilling it into your head. Good luck and keep us posted. I start Monday with Central in Fontana.

Good Luck with Central! I'll get all my endorsements done by Monday or Tuesday of next week....It's going pretty good so far.

Day 1) Paper Log Books and Started on the CDL Manual study questions. The instructor just had us highlight only the stuff she wants us to read and nothing more. Apparently it's part of their system for passing the first stage of testing to get your permit, so you don't get overwhelmed. However, I'm glad I started the high road training program ahead of time cause I basically got no sleep last night. I'll try to post something everyday....

Good Luck Chris and congrats on the new rig!

I'll be rolling out tomorrow on my first solo flatbed load for Prime. It's a 2015 with only 14000 miles. The truck is ready I loaded all my flatbed gear in it and am just waiting for my fridge to get installed tomorrow. I already have a load going to Iowa sitting the yard.

Hey Chris,

Congrats on the new truck! I just noticed your photos and it looks like you worked for SYGMA. Did you not like working for them? If so, what made you change to flatbed?