Comments By BQ

I drove a lightweight for my first year solo with Prime, the international isn't bad but the freightliners have very minimal storage space and are more cramped. I just moved up to a '17 Peterbilt a cpl weeks ago and love it.

I had a trailer doing similar thing other day. When I hooked up to it, it was off and alarm for low fuel. I checked tank which was 3/4 full and cleared alarms. Reefer started briefly but same alarm came on after cpl mins, along with auto shutdown. R/A set me up with the trailer shop who guided me through bypassing the fuel guage, reset and had no more issues besides constant false msgs about trailer being off, was running fine entire trip

It sends a security alert to your company, who will then try contacting you to see if accidental or not, if no response or do respond but under duress, authorities in your area will be alerted and dispatched to location.

Pull up until rear drive tire (backside) is just touching white line, turn wheel completely to the right until have gap of 3-4" past 2nd leg of landing gear, stop. Turn wheel all the way back left and release, once wheel (turning) has stabilized, turn to the right until center is slanted (upright) but in line between 10&4. Begin backing while watching gap, making slight adjustments to maintain it. When rear trailer tire crosses the first cone line begin turning wheel completely left to get back under trailer and straight. Check mirrors and adjust, pull up if necessary. Good luck

Also, just a heads up but when you upgrade to your own truck, there are certain items you are required to purchase for truck. The total cost depends upon division, refer isn't nearly as much as flatbed with their tarps and such. Prime does allow you to purchase this stuff via driver code/truck # and repay it in increments. The items are yours to keep, however some things can be sold back when you leave. For example, I got new chains, still in bag for few hundo, if I don't use them (if I need chains,I am getting off road, can only go up to about 30-35 and is waste of clock, not super safe either), I can sell them back for full price. Could have gotten used for about half price but recouping that money isn't likely. Just something to keep in mind but I wouldn't let it keep you from choosing prime.

The first week, which includes orientation, physical, drug test, agility test, some classes, computer based training (CBTs), simulator training (basic concepts of shifting/dbll clutching) and obtaining CDL Permit is not paid. However, hotel and adequate food is. You will need approximately $160 for registration and license transfer/permit. There are a variety of restaurants nearby as well as Wal-Mart if bring extra cash but can survive without it. After first week, you generally get a trainer and hit the road for PSD, sometimes as early as Fri or Sat (I was on road first thing Sat am). During this phase you are lent $200/wk for food/basics. You run off one clock with trainer in passenger seat at all times while driving. You will learn pretrip, backing and ability to pass CDL test during this phase, generally 2-4 weeks. When ready you return to terminal for testing. Upon passing you become Prime employee and are set to begin 2nd phase (TNT). During this phase you and trainer (sometimes same from PSD, sometimes different, I had one trainer straight thru) are dispatched as a team operation (you drive while he sleeps, vice versa, truck is moving most of the time). During this phase you are paid $700 or 14 cpm, whichever is greater. They also begin deducting $25/wk to repay money borrowed during PSD phase. TNT lasts for 30,000 miles (generally 6-8 weeks) and once completed you will be brought back to terminal for upgrade to solo operation, which pay varies by division (reefer, flatbed and tanker) and whether you take lightweight or condo truck.

In all, expect about 4-5 weeks before receiving first $700 check (before taxes/dediction, generally 5-550 net) unless you run more than 5000 miles, then it's more.

Folks do it every day, just plan ahead and take the training serious. Best of luck.

Fmcsa.dot.gov......note however that some companies may look for more. I assume this is for drug testing purposes?

By pain meds in previous post I meant of the prescription variety, Vicoden, OcyContin, morphine, hydros, etc.. anything otc should be fine with no need to even report as it will not show up in standard test and can't be tracked via database.

Prime only gives you the standard DOT drug screen, which is a 5 panel for marijuana (THC), Cocaine, Opiates (opium and codeine derivatives), Amphetamines/methamphetamines and PCP. Anything that is not specifically tested for will not show up because they are not looking for it. However, anything that is prescribed by a doctor should be brought to their attention by you. There is a national database of all scripts that could be used to discover something you failed to report. Prime will not tell you which ones will disqualify you until here, not sure why they don't just post a list or tell you beforehand but I believe it's a legality. If disqualified for a particular prescription they send you home but do give you opportunity to return after either switching to an approved medication or can sustain without. I would assume most pain meds would be a no go, due to possible drowsiness which is written on bottle along with a warning against driving or operating heavy machinery. Best of luck

I also have driven a lightweight here at Prime for the past year and change, currently turning in for condo as I take training course. As mentioned the financial incentive can work out to several grand a year (5 or 6) depending upon miles you run. Basically multiply miles ×.05, if 3000 miles, its an extra $150 that week, avg of 2500 during first year is more likely, which would be about $125/wk×52=6500, however consider hometime and such figure about 6 grand. As far as space, the International lightweight has much more storage space available than Freighliner lightweight. Additional benefits of driving a lightweight are easier maneuvarability, particularly in tight spaces, might only be about a foot in reality but can do wonders mentally on the mind and stress of a rookie. You also have the ability to haul slightly heavier loads than condos because the truck itself is lighter. I don't know about engine specifics as previously pointed out but my lightweight international felt like it pulled uphill better than my trainers Cascadia condo, the reality of it tho may differ. As for the Wal-Mart dedicated, I know the one out of Lewiston, ME required lightweight (did at least, maybe changed) and I also believe it had a minimum pay, however don't take that as gospel. Good luck on your journey.....