Comments By Dan S.

I'm thinking more and more EACH day about going up grading, getting my own truck and going SOLO.

EVERYTHING I've read on the subject of learning how to back, says it's just SOMETHING you've got to learn on your own and can't REALLY be taught. That although others can explain it? They can't help you comprehend?

I've read where 99% is the Set Up.

Despite my initial green horn jitters awhile back? I've gotten NOTHING but good sound advice from the members of this board.

I was ready to jump ship to another company, but all the old hand veterans to stay the course.

Man!!! Am I glad I did! Right up there with marrying my EXHEX of a wife, it would have been one of the STUPIDEST things i EVER did!

I'm going to stay that the course for now. I've always the option of upgrading and going SOLO or teaming with someone else.

Again thanks for all the good info.

As an afterthought I would like to add my own personal decision to stay on my Trainers truck was impacted by my being on Prime's Veterans "Fast Trac" program in which my contractual obligation to Prime is only 9 months vs 12 months.

I've already competed 3 of those 9 months. By the time I get off of the trainers truck on or about sometime in March, I will have all but competed my contractual obligation to Prime.

I plan on staying WITH Prime at this point in time? Its just that it so happened to synch with my decision.

Just the facts about staying on the truck pass TNT training

#1 You don't go back to Springfield to upgrade until AFTER you get off the truck. Sooooo, you'll HAVE to do that at the end when you DO get off the trainers truck.

#2 Your CPM's go up to I BELIEVE .17 cpm and / or a guaranteed weekly mimimum of $700 + $300 "delay bonus" for a total of $1,000 per week. Again I'm sure it's in so long as your available for dispatch. Which is pretty much going to be dependent upon your trainer.

#3 There WAS some mention of additional $$$$ for doing so through Winter. But I'm going to have to go back and verify that with my FM before I post it here. When I find out for sure and certain? I'll post it here. Meanwhile irs just hear say in so far as I'm concerned.

#4 The Additional $300 went onto my pay stub almost automatically as soon as i completed my 30,000 TNT miles. My FM just sent a QC message to verify I was still on the truck.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Backing

Just SOMETHING we're all going to have to learn how to do on own on. To quote another driver, "I've been driving for 15 years, I expect to have it down pat by next fall.

If your just wanting ANOTHER driver out there with you? $$$$ wise you'd PROBALLY would be JUST as better off teaming with ANOTHER company driver in my honest opinion. Speak with your TM if interested. I BELIEVE the average is about $1300 a week teaming at Prime. There's handouts laying around the Millieum Building and bottom floor of the Plaza Building.

Just more day to day experiences that you may or may not yet been exposed to.

Winter Driving experience if your not accustomed to such

An opportunity to put back $$$ for things you'll want and need when you get your own truck such as a GPS, CV radio, etc. So you can pay cash vs financing?

Personally I'm taking it one day at a time. I can ALWAYS go back to Springfield and up grade any time i want. There's no obligatory commitment to my staying on the truck.

There Is supposed to be a "shortage " and wait for bring assigned a truck, although from what I'm hearing is irs not much of one. A week or there abouts. Your up grade will take three or four days minimum as I understand it?

Some other considerations?

Between now and just before Christmas is SUPPOSED to be very busy for the Reefer division.

After the first two weeks of December freight is "Supposed to" drop off.

There's a some discussion on the Prime FB pages about the bonus of $750 for working through the Holiday season. A lot of discussion as to whether it's $500 Or $750, as well as inclusive dates.

Many have said they've done it, but won't do it again, because they ended up going to shippers and receivers that were closed? You can check it out and be the judge. [Sidebar: You can find some good buys and even free stuff for your truck on these FB pages. Just today, a driver was giving away a free flat screen tv, as he upgraded his, another was giving away a mattress that he bought but wouldn't fit his bunk in his truck]

Hope this was of some help

61, 62 come April next year. Just finished up TNT training/30,000 miles yesterday. I'm going to team with my trainer through the Winter ~ maybe longer.

Went through a spell of doubt. Good Folks here calmed me down, and got me back on the right and righteous path.

I went with Prime. If your a Vet and provide them with a copy of your DD214 your contractual obligation is only on the Fast Track Program.

Rob Low (Owne of Prime) runs a first class operation. He's a righteous guy.

My ONLY regret is o didn't do it twenty years ago

"Watch for Eagles on Roadway"

Although billboards and not road signs,

"BEST WEED AROUND" (Marijuana) up in Oregon

For what it's worth? I left my manufacturing job, and the manufacturing field after twenty years.

I've had a few misfires here and there, getting started in the trucking industry. All of my own doing, but the good folks here at TNT, got me turned around and headed in the right direction.

My ONLY regret, REALLY? Is I wished I had done it 20 years ago!

Listen to the Folks here, and you'll be in good hands.

Best of luck!

As a side note, I've literally just gotten off the phone with my former assistant. Things have gotten so bad at the plant I left?

They're having to bring office workers, staff, payroll, HR, managers and assistant managers out of the front office to work on the plant floor.

She told my old boss an Assistant Manager, "You can't be on your cell phone unless your own break!"

She was serious.

Love it!

LOL! Read your other response to "When did you get your license?"

And then.your last post!

Too Funny

Glad to hear your surgery went well. Happy to hear your getting BETTER.

Like Steve told Hellen?

"There's just no real way of telling?"

But sitting at a small Pilot in Salinias, California.?

I JUST KNEW, IT was going to break out any minute from either direction!

Little did this rookie know?

Oh sure, a couple of muggy looks, a few flaying of the hands and arms, some rolling eyes, a LOT of harsh languages,.........

But?

Actually? A level of professionalism that wouldn't be recognized nor appreciated by someone outside the profession?

I learn something NEW everyday!

Thanks Rainy,.

Means a lot to me, it really does.

To be truthful? I feel like the Southbound end of a Northbound mule.

EVERYTHING, y'all try to cautioned new drivers against, to include the specialized attention I personally received?

True every word. I'm back on the truck as of last Friday. In in California headed for NYS.

He's talking about us teaming through the rest of year? It's a win win for both of us in sone ways? But I've got my doubts about our personalities going that long.

I'm SOoooooo GLAD I LISTENED TO YOU GUYS!

Moving forward in that direction is moving backwards

Brett, Old School, Rainy and too many others to list!!

Thanks again