Profile For Truckin Along With Kearsey

Shoot the seams with alcohol or windex. if there is ice in there it could melt it and lube the metal enough to slide. honestly cant say i ever had this issue, but have done it with the slide rail.

Cool. Its a reaction video to a Prime driver who built a fleet of 8 trucks and 2 months after getting the 8th, he lost it all, even sold his house to try to save the fleet. He posted it all on Youtube and i almost suggested you post that. It is heartbreaking and very real and sobering.

I uploaded another today discussing the problems with building a fleet... such as one driver can bankrupt you... and the false premise of control. The next one coming out on that playlist is going to be a breakdown of how much buying a used truck can cost when all is said and done. real numbers.

The whole playlist could probably just be linked and maybe we can use it as a "go-to" spot for... "so you want to own/lease a truck or fleet.. well did you consider this?"

It is getting some eyes opened that is for sure. Posting lease op 3-year settlements shut people up fast hahahha

That would be awesome. But wjat about the paperwork... didnt u say u got some kind of daily monitor.. does it record like the cpaps? and transmit to the company... or make it easier for new DOT physical?

Awww im.blushing!!! Thank you both. Marc, next tine u are in there, bring up the diabetes issue. I forgot to ask u about it. A few people asked me recently...and i know u mentioned the monitor. Can u find that post or create a new ppst entitles diabetes that i can send people to? thanks

OMG... just slap a headline and some quotes and BOOM!!!!

Awwww I am blushing. thank you!

Brett I just posted a video comparing the actual lease settlement with company pay...Errol thoight it was fantastic... so maybe u might enjoy it and post it somwhere, please?

The machine may record it, but most companies want at least 30 days data before coming into the orientation.

Priscilla.... in trucking you get med cards all the time. Big Scott had a 2 yr med card for 3 weeks, then applied to a different company and had to get a new med card.

Splitter had 4 different med cards in 3 months. I had surgery to remove an ovary and although my med card still had another year on it, i needed a new one. I dont even know how many Marc Lee got in his short trucking time.

It is just a fact of life in trucking. And the sleep apnea is not just Prime... Bruce K here at schneider had to... Christian at Old Dominion had to.. and those were after they had 2 yr cards.

People who come into companies sometimes go through this, despite having a card. The company has a right to reject medications or be more stringent than DOT requirements.

Prime is no longer taking from FL. sorry

I did. for some reason it locks me out now. i dont care anymore. they report to the FM every week so if im low i get a message asking if the machine has issues

I have been with Prime 4 years. if you don't have apnea, you will test negative. the test and machine were cheaper than the doctors back home in NJ with the insurance. I tested negative... gained weight 2 yrs later I was required to do it again and tested positive. I hated the machine

Cardinal Sleep is not a part of Prime... They are an independent that has a satellite office in our terminal. Phillips makes the CPAPs The machine that cleans the machine is SoClean.

SoClean's website specifically says to use a "reputable company like Cardinal Sleep when ordering replacement parts because counterfeit parts have been sold on amazon"... something to that effect.

The Prime doctor is not evil either. I use them as my primary care... even got a pap smear and mammogram referrals there.

You get a 2-month card due to DOT regulations, not the company.

hang in there.... Primes great.

I took the test and passed... then gained weight 2 yrs later for my renewal. tested again and needed the cpap. ive lost 50 pounds so i think if i retested, i would pass. havent had the time to do it

This is one of the reasons i stopped training honestly. Because i ran them solo for 1 to 2 weeks before we teamed, i made less than i would have solo....which i accepted. But then i would get stuck in California for 3 to 4 days waiting at shippers.

So going into Cali on a Thurs with 2500 miles and expecting a big check.... but then i dont get out until sunday or monday... pushing it onto next check... means less than my solo pay. I averaged about $1800 per week teaming (yes some weeks were $2500, some were $700, less than the trainee). My average solo pay is about $1500ish... Is it worth it?

I just had a conversation with a dispatcher who said experienced drivers often dont want to share a space after being solo for so long.. they dont need the little bit of extra money cause they have already established themselves. And they usually dont accept attitude from dispatch, so they certainly arent putting up with it on their truck.

Talk to Teresa about it. She may be keeping you i the northeast for a reason.... but you make no money training doing that. a fast "Maybe training isnt worth it for.me if this is normal".. the threat of not training gives you results. lol

Prime TNT Upgrade Questions 2020

Also I am going to start out as company driver

- What are the upfront costs for a company driver once you upgrade from TNT ? ( Mandatory costs that I will have to pay to get my truck like chains, chalks, load locks, seals, anti gel, and similar items or does Prime cover items for company drivers )

Chains, load locks, and the reefer locks/air brake cuffs are required for reefer. they will take out payments weekly.... ask about used chains they are much much cheaper. If you get new and keep them in the bag, you can sell them back when you leave. They wilk give you a list of things to buy such as flashlghts, hammer etc. those are yours and you pay.

- Will I have to pay for fluids, fuses, bulbs, wipers, and other similar items out of pocket while OTR or is that something that Prime covers for company drivers ?

You get these free from the parts dept at the terminal. If you buy them OTR, some go on the comdata card when fueling (wiper fluid, antigel oil, coolant up to $100 in 24 hrs).... others you pay for such as wiper blades, bulbs.. and you fill a macro and scan receipts to get reimbursed. email me at rainydal74@gmail and i will send you my company driver procedures and info.

- Do you know if we get paid while we are completing the upgrade process ? I’ve seen it could take a few days to around a week to complete everything and get a truck assigned.

To my knowledge, no you dont get paid during the upgrade. i didnt and neithrr did my students. However, they did allow those waiting to drive in rental cars to recover abandoned trucks to the terminal or pick up trailers locally to earn money.

- Is there a basic mechanic class offered or any additional classes you recommend me taking while at the terminal ?

yes for which you do not get paid and it is very popular. be sure to have the FM sign you up for it ASAP. it fills quickly.

Also any additional information that you think will help me prepare to upgrade, I should know about, or help me in this industry in the future will greatly be appreciated.

email me

In keeping with Brett's vision of educating and encouraging, I decided to post one real trip per week as a trip planning exercise.

This is for newbies who need extra practice, or someone just starting CDL school. Trip planning and time management can be difficult but practice makes perfect, so get a jump on it to make rookie life easier and start earning that money faster.

The "empty miles" is what you will drive right now to your pick up. The "loaded miles" are the miles between your pick up and delivery.

Use your atlas to find your best route, and be sure to add extra time for any cities, mountains, fuel stops, 30 min breaks, and your 10 hour breaks. The weight of the load and terrain can burn more fuel, so be sure to stop and fuel! Use Trucker Path or a truck stop guide book to help you select parking and fuel stops. Be sure to plan to park after the customer. Use a weather app to check the radar ahead.

Remember: You can only drive 11 hours per day must include a vehicle inspection, must abide by the 14 hour clock. (see the High Road for HOS)

***** This is a deadhead from Paulsboro NJ to Romeoville IL for the pickup. Then deliver to Washington Court House OH. This is a drop and hook at both ends, so arrive ASAP at both locations, starting from the time you read this

Remember time zone changes. Use google maps & trucker path

For future readers... i think this thread is important for a bunch of reasons.

1.) The spouse at home is the one posting, and often the non-driver is concerned about a ton of issues they do not understand, nor have control over. The one with the control is the CDL holder, and it is best for the driver to post here for us to gain more accurate information to help.

2.) When discussing medical and mental health issues, the OP responded that her doctor already cleared her medication for a DOT card and CDL school. An important fact here: Every company can accept or reject a medication, regardless of how mild. Every company has the right to send you to their doctor, despite what yours says Therefore nothing is guaranteed.

3.) When dealing with depression, bipolar, PTSD or even blood pressure/diabetic issues... you must always put your own health first. Trucking is an incredibly stressful career that can easily trigger relapses. Poor diet and erratic sleep can reak havoc on your health. Think long and hard before coming on the road, even as a passenger.

4.) Fear, panic, and mistrust of your company or future company is unwarranted. What happens at the next company? the same.

5.) The OP did not understand the difficulty of returning the CRE truck at the end of thr JB Hunt orientation. You need to return the truck to the terminal CRE designates. So how is a driver going to drive X of miles and fly to the new company overnight in order to drive a load out of JB hunt? Truck abandonment can kill a career.

Finally, I am amazed at the good advice, patience, and understanding demonstrated in this thread. Great job guys!!!

Heres the flip side... you are a trainer for x number of years and your truck dies. You need a truck so you can train and create other safe, revenue producing drivers. You are accident free with no lateness, but a brand new driver of 6 mos thinks he is entitled to keep a truck you need.

The company remains loyal to this driver, because to them... even at 6 mos your commitment to the company is still up for debate.

They cant promise you a truck they dont have cause if they did and didnt get it by that time, then you would feel lied to. Just gently remind your manager in a couple months that you hope for a newer truck.

BTW.... my friend drove a brand new truck at Prime and switched companies... with 3 years experience she is driving a 2012. Older trucks are not unheard of for even experienced drivers. Companies see them as money makers, not comfortable homes... despite how we feel. And who knows.... your manager may be able to offset some of that loss with "perks" ie extram hometime or layover pay etc.

Here is a thought... my friend went OTR for a year. then went local six months ago. His kids still constantly tell him "well you didnt know cause you werent here".

he missed his daughters prom. he is never going to live that down. Can YOU live with that?

i dont have kids..if i did.. i wouldnt be here. think long and hard. this is not a romantic "saving the universe, dad is a military guy keeping the country safe"... this is a "dad is hauling food, tires, Nike sneakers while he eats alone and misses our life" job.