Comments By Penny

Yay!!

Congratulations!!!

Somebody in real life told me somebody here was asking how training was going and I've been crazy busy actually training so I haven't been by lately.

I'm in the TNT portion of Prime training and it's great and awesome and amazing and tiring!

Since Sunday I've driven 1250 miles, seem 5 states I've never been to before, successfully backed into two out of three docks, improved my shifting skills, stalled the truck in traffic (oops), learned to slide tandems (well, I still can't remember ALL the steps yet, dealt with a cranky trailer door, replaced a missing mud flap, and pulled through a million fuel islands. And probably a lot more I can't remember!

I have an AMAZING trainer who is patient, remembers what it's like to be a trainee, and willing to share her knowledge (multiple times since my head is thick).

So far, this job really rocks, though I know I still have a ways to go to be competent and confident.

Thanks everyone for your continued support and encouragement!

As someone about to go into training, my advice to myself is going to be:

1. Try not to get overwhelmed and to clamp down on any nervousness I have going on. It's all pretty new for me. School was school. This is the real deal. So sh*t just got real here.

2. Try to listen and translate that into doing. Sometimes that's far easier said than done, but I want to try to remember the nuggets of wisdom and even the basics that I don't quite have down pat yet.

3. Try to do a little better each day. I know things won't come naturally for some time, but I can't wait for the day when it's not all hard. When I can do a lot of it without having to think it through quite so much.

4. Try to absorb everything my trainer has for me. Whether it's advice on shifting, backing, trip planning, managing my day, whatever. I want to soak in everything I can.

5. Try to be a good guest on the truck. I'm pretty easy going and reasonably polite most of the time, but I want to be mindful that I'm moving into the truck as an invited guest.

6. Be thankful for the opportunity to learn this big wonderful job. And I'm grateful for the company and the trainer willing to take on the challenge that is me!

There may be more but that's kind of how I'm approaching training as a brand new trainee whose ink is still wet on her CDL!

I know I'm rough and I need work. I'm grateful for the practice and patience and understanding.

Actually, coming in with a CDL but no experience at Prime, it's $600 for the first five weeks and $700 for the remaining 40,000 miles (to the truck, as Rainy said).

I'm not sure if this pay schedule is a recent change or what, but that's what I'm expecting during training.

At least that's what the recruiter told me and what they confirmed in orientation this week.

Brett, Old School, G Town, you all have been so very encouraging during all this.

I did struggle. I wasn't entirely sure I could get this far. I know I have a very long way to go to be anywhere close to good.

I will take your advice and go slow and easy on the backing and heaven help me I DO NOT want to hit anything. . Gotta remember those wide turns, too, I know.

My shifting is atrocious, but I should have plenty of practice. I'm hoping that eventually SOME of this will begin to feel natural.

I haven't been in a truck in a month as I had to give notice at my old job, took a week to get things settled and visit s couple friends, and then this week of orientation.

I do trust my trainer. i feel very very fortunate to have one I feel comfortable with.

Thank you again so very much for all the encouragement. You guys (and gals) are the best!!

I made it through orientation week and my trainer (the most AWESOME trainer ever, I might add) will be here to pick me up today.

I'm a little nervous. i struggled through school. I suck at pretty much everything. But I'm hoping after a couple months I'll be a lot more confident and a lot less nervous.

I'm here, I'm here!

In orientation this week!

Wal Mart also sells a little toilet seat that fits on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Like Rainy, you'd line it with a trash bag and put kitty litter in it. It's in the camping supplies section. Those aren't very expensive...I'm thinking around $15 ish. then you'd have to get your 5 gallon bucket for a few bucks.

I'm a newbie as far as driving (as in I just got the CDL but have ZERO experience yet), but I've ridden in trucks plenty. Most times, at least when I've been a rider, getting to a truck stop isn't usually a big issue. Sometimes, you do what you gotta do and deal with it. That's just part of trucking.

Baby wipes are your friend for "in-between" hygiene when a shower isn't possible because of time or location. I've also seen some truckers with an electric kettle to heat water to take a slightly better "cat bath" than the baby wipe bath. It can be dual purpose as you can also have hot water for your morning tea as well!

There are many tricks of the trade and you'll figure out which work best for you over time, I'm sure.

There is also a "Go Girl" and a "She Wee" that allows a lady to stand up to urinate should that be needed. I haven't seen them in stores yet, but I'm pretty sure Amazon has them. They are usually advertised for camping. And I'd say it is a great idea...I knew a lady once got ticks on her hoo-ha during a camping trip...but that's another story. If you have an inverter, cooking isn't hard, but the 12v appliances make it great even if you don't have an inverter. I have a friend who regularly cooks meals in the truck. Much cheaper and healthier than truck stop fare. There are electric skillets, Hot Logic Mini, lunchbox cookers, etc. Take a field trip to a truck stop or browse online (or both) and get some ideas. You Tube has some fantastic videos where people give tours of their trucks and you can glean different ideas there as well.

Good luck!

My trucking school required us to get one when we started.

Just ask for your ten year MVR at the DMV. I think ours (in SC) was $5-$6 but the cost varies per state, I'm sure.

Easy and not a request that they don't hear all the time.

I've been accused of worse!