Comments By VivaciousVal

I can understand wanting to bring your dog, even a big dog! I signed up with Prime which has a weight limit so I can't bring my baby but have seriously thought about it. I have a 100 lb Labrador and he's got terrible hip dysplasia and can't hardly walk on his own. I know he would be comfortable in a small space.

But I looked into harnesses (mostly because he uses one already to walk) to lift him in and out of the truck. Never did much research into them because I decided against it, so I don't know if there would be a way to install a pulley system. But they actually make harnesses that make it so that you can repel with your dog! Something with that strength would easily lift him/her in and out of the truck with little to no discomfort.

Do they not read the DOT form before you come? Not trying to bash them, but it would have saved Prime some money on travel had they read the form and called you guys before you went out there.

I was having the same question... I just filled out my DOT medical form online for Prime and disclosed the 2 medications that I usually take (Loratadine and Vitamin D) and did research before-hand that I know both are approved by the DOT. Not like its anything serious, I suffer from bad seasonal allergies.

http://www.truckmed.com/medications.htm

Found this-don't know how accurate it is, but it does say that no antidepressants are approved and that Ritalin "could" be approved, but it will be difficult.

I applied at Swift, Prime, and Roehl. And heard from them in that order, ALL of them. Swift called me in about 4 days, Prime 2 days later and Roehl was about 2 weeks.

I downloaded the app on my phone that coincided with Swift and Prime's application process, its also a way to text your recruiter. It'll let you know where your processing is and with some phone calls to the recruiter you'll be able to let your former employers and references know to expect a phone call.

I had a "job" offer by the time I got off the phone with my previous boss, who had just got off the phone with Prime.

I'll be there in 1 week! I'll look for a girl with purple hair to say "Hi"!

Congrats and have fun!

I haven't started driving a truck yet, but I have 4 years experience driving taxi. My hands on occasion would hurt, just like you said. Usually with the heat on in the van, its really dry heat.

At any drug store/Walmart you can find wrist braces, anywhere from $10-30/ hand, designed for carpal tunnel syndrome. Slide one or both of those babies on and the pain goes away. Worth a shot! I suggest going for the nicer one that have some grips and not the extreme angle in the wrist for driving. They are also great for training your hands to be not in such awkward positions, so you blood can flow freely to your fingers.

Good luck and may the pain go away. I hate taking any painkillers, too. I have to be in a serious amount of pain to even take a single ibuprofen.

I'll see you there! I start March 14 also!

Congrats!

I'm leaving for Prime on March 14 for training and have decided that I don't want to do a lightweight. The extra $.05/mile @ 500 miles/day (high, I know) is only an extra $25/day. I feel like with a full size, I'll be able to save at least some of that money by preparing some of my own meals, and much more important to me... eat healthier.

Looks like March 7 is the day to go! Congrats to you all!

I applied at 3 companies last week (Prime, Swift, and Roehl) and heard from all three. After an in depth look into all 3, I have decided to go to Prime! I'm super excited and even begged my friend (an owner operator) to let me drive his truck down the road (Private Dr) when he comes home next week... We'll see, neither of us wants to risk any tickets.

One of the reasons I chose Prime is because they pay $200/week for training then $700/week when you go on the road with a trainer, the highest I found. Also, you are with a trainer for approx. 3 months. My biggest fear is mountains, being from MI they are not my standard; so I hope to get lots of time driving through mountains.

Anyone else have a start date for Prime?!

Thank you all for the replies. Its been a long weekend waiting for Tuesday to come so that I can start contacting some recruiters, eek! I do love my current employer and want to give adequate notice, and they know that this is a route I'm looking into, so I do hope that its not too fast. But, I'm sure that the requiter will understand that, too.

I live within 5 miles of both I69 and I75, and I am south of I69, so hopefully that doesn't become a problem for me. I eventually hope to move to the U.P., but that may not happen until I've fulfilled my time with a starter company. I would love to eventually drive mining/ logging trucks and have a day job. I do love to travel and this will get it out of my system before I settle down.

Thanks again for all the advice on the forum!