Comments By BQ

Also includes Showtime

Not sure where getting info from regarding the Directv package at Prime but here is the truth....You have to have been in own truck for 6 months, includes the satellite, flat antenna for local channels in area you are in (CBS, FOX, ABC, NBC, etc), TV (Samsung 24 or 27", I believe), mount, Satellite and Directv receiver. The costs are a 1 time payment of $200 to lease equipment, cost of setup (about $200) and $23/wk for service which is cheaper than I paid at home. They split the lease/setup costs between 2 checks (im my case anyway) and it includes plenty of channels, including HBO, MAX and NFL Ticket. I am thankful I got it.

I drive an International LW here at Prime, while it definitely has much less storage and cabinet space than any condo, it certainly has more cabinet/storage space than the Freightliner LW. I was first disappointed when assigned the International because my trainer had Freightliner and I was familiar with operational setup (which buttons are where, etc). However, after seeing inside of fellow driver's Freightliner LW, I was quite thankful. Like Rainy mentioned they don't seem to force anybody into a LW, I am thinking of switching to full size atm, possibly doing some training. However, as others have mentioned there are a few benefits of the LW, both financial and operational, especially for new driver who may benefit from the extra room provided when backing.

Haha, this tends to be the norm in this industry. I find myself annoyed on nearly a daily basis by drivers too lazy to either drive beyond first row, back into actual spot or think it's too much to walk more than 50 feet for buffet, tho many could use the exercise. I swear some drivers would be lost when finding a place to park if there weren't scales. Same with the turds that mark parking full on apps such as Trucker Path when there a numerous spots available. Welcome to trucking, you are sure to find some of the laziest, whiny and most disgusting individuals out here. There are also some really good folks so don't let what seems to be a majority spoil view of everyone.

Prime does allow pets on their trucks once you are upgraded to your own. As far as permit/licensing, you simply bring your regular license with you and can take permit tests at prime on the Wed of orientation (I believe) or take provided shuttle to local DMV, which you will do either way if pass at prime so you can transfer license to MO and pickup permit. Prime provides you a temporary letter of residency for this purpose. After initial phase of training (PSD), you will take all testing at Prime, they have approved instructors and testing pads, driving test itself is about 30-45 minutes around Springfield. You will transfer MO license back to home state either during second part of training (TNT) or soon after upgrading to own truck. License transfers are done for a simple fee, no retesting needed. Best of luck.

Ravenswood, if a majority of this industry doesn't provide the luxuries you require to sustain life, feel free to purchase your own truck with all the bells and whistles you feel necessary or forget the thought of becoming a driver. BTW, best of luck backing said truck as a new driver. Some folks simply aren't built for a life like this, please stay far away from the military as well. Regardless of the branch, it seems a creampuff such as yourself would simply waste a flight to training, only to be sent home with tears rolling down your cheeks and tail between your legs within first 48 hours. Find something else to do rather than trolling trucking forums.

I have a tremendous idea.....all companies should just use daycabs but provide rooms at the nearest Hilton every day for drivers to take our 10hr breaks. We should also be provided dining at a 5 star restaurant at least twice a day. For 34hr resets we should be provided accommodations to a luxury all-inclusive resort, if not near one, airfare should also be provided, 1st class of course.

Get a grip Ravenswood. You start a company and provide your drivers with such trucks. Best of luck with that.

So, companies have to balance between costs and somehow making trucking ATTRACTIVE enough to LURE new drivers. Apparently, there are enough "tough nuts" who demand little in terms of creature comforts in this trade to fill needed driver positions. Companies have not YET become DESPERATE enough to be compelled to give drivers first class Hilton treatment over the road, I gather. Or, trucking UNIONS have not done collective bargaining hard enough maybe.

Why don't companies have dorms at all their nationwide terminals for drivers to camp out at while off the clock? The dorms could be like a small studio apartment complete with bed, kitchen, toilet, sink and shower.

Actually, at Prime we do a have a form of such a thing at our bigger terminals. They're called bunkrooms, which have a bed and cable tv. There are also showers, gym, movie theater and full service cafeteria.

I have a tremendous idea.....all companies should just use daycabs but provide rooms at the nearest Hilton every day for drivers to take our 10hr breaks. We should also be provided dining at a 5 star restaurant at least twice a day. For 34hr resets we should be provided accommodations to a luxury all-inclusive resort, if not near one, airfare should also be provided, 1st class of course.

Get a grip Ravenswood. You start a company and provide your drivers with such trucks. Best of luck with that.

I also have spent some time in our nation's military, however not a soldier but rather a Marine. I enjoy cleanliness just as much as the next person but a beard or tattoos have nothing to do with how clean one is. You should be aware that there are many ex-cons driving truck, as in most other careers. I would be one myself had I been caught while living the fast life. For being a soldier you come across rather weak. Where do you come off calling anybody with a job a peon? Who exactly do you think you are? I know you sure Ain't Ready to be a Marine Yet. To answer your question, you can meet people from all walks of life at truck stops throughout this country, some have better food and facilities than others but they all offer you a spot to park your truck and lay your head. However, I strongly recommend you only visit in a car and stay out of this profession, peon.

Leisure time varies from day to day, trip to trip. Some trips have more extra time between pickup and delivery than others. Some trips may only require driving 8hr per day, others you will be nearly maxing your 11hr driving clock each day. The extra 3 hrs available during the 14hr day are sometimes used at shipper/receiver, pre/post trip, breaks or emergency maintenance such as blown tire if needed. Most of this time is not paid unless you are receiving detention pay while waiting to be loaded/unloaded. You don't always use your full clock, I rarely do to be honest, most days I only use 9-11 hours of it. If you can park for your entire 10hr break at shipper/receiver it can help cut down on your used hours and help you run a more efficient clock than counterparts that believe they must always be at a truck stop for breaks, it's plain silliness to me, however not all customers allow "overnight " parking.