Comments By Tee1234

Do research online find out the companies process. Figure out what you need to begin I’m from Cali in order to get a CDL permit you must have your dot physical card and pass your knowledge test for them to issue you a permit. I initially spoke to a recruiter with swift before I went with prime inc. when I did swift was a 2 year commitment after getting licensed while prime was 1. I went with prime and they were great start company. You go to prime and they get you with a trainer to get the CDL after that you move on to the next phase Trainer And Trainee they called it tnt I believe you go on their truck doing teams one drives the other rest for a certain number of miles then you go solo after that. You just need to find somewhere that fits you. Your needs and wants. If you choose to go with a company with a longer commitment contract and you bail out because you didn’t like over the road you are responsible for paying that portion of money back for their time. It’s best to complete the contract and if you aren’t feeling it move else where also keep in mind you can get endorsements these are used for moving specific types of freight. Tankers, hazardous materials, double and triples. Get informed as much as you can and choose wisely recruiters are just that they get you signed up but moving forward they won’t be in contact with you unless something arises. Some companies also offer things like advances you pay back while your training for food and expenses etc. so keep that in mind and just ask all you can to a recruiter and if your told something like incentive wise get it in writing through email etc because otherwise it didn’t happen

Hello Everyone, I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I haven't posted much yet but am only getting started. I recently left the medical field and became large box truck driver for an organic produce company about a month and a half ago just to see if I would remotely like the field. I am in love with it. I make decent money, get free organic produce, and so much more. I drive all over the upper east coast and am home daily. I work four days or five days a week and overtime is optional. Which I take of course. Anyways my plan is to, towards the end of the year sign on board with a trucking company that has their own CDL a training program. Now I have done a lot of research however I only know what I know. I need your experience strength and hope to make the correct decision. I have to talk with a couple recruiters from multiple different companies. one of the companies that was high on my list to work for was Wilson Logistics. however when I called them the recruiter I spoke to was not very pleasant, kind of arrogant, and basically told me it would cost me $46,000 for him to give me information about the program which makes absolutely no sense. It really brought me down Wilson Logistics was one of my top choices. I don't want to be just another number to a company and I want to make good money what trucking companies do you recommend? Please keep in mind if you read my previous post I am an addict in recovery. I can pass a regular drug screen however a hair follicle may be a little difficult as some of them go back 5 years. I look forward to reading your responses! Have a great day!

For me backing was the hardest I had a bad experience with a trainer. Good thing is you have resources a lot of guys have their method of doing this. When you begin set is key some places you’ll find have tons of room others less as you already know. The farther your tandems the more time it will take for the trailer to react to the steering the closer they are it’s the opposite but don’t get your eyes glued to one thing also look at the end of your trailer see where the back of it is going. Take your time get out and look if your unsure. It doesn’t hurt to do pull ups or reset your self to make it easier. Now that you got your cdl you have no points limit. I use to google map satellite view my shipper and receiver and see how the building is set up and see points of entry to see if you need to back from the road is their enough to straight line back or if you alley dock etc. some Drivers are helpful they will help spot you while you back but remember that you control your ship and if you get help and strike something it falls on you so don’t be afraid to get help but still get out and look and make sure you do your job safely. My very first time at a Sysco in Washington first load out of training was taking reefer load and took a while to get it in the door one knight driver was upset angry cussing telling me I was taking my time. You may have pedestrians drivers trucks being impatient and if you choose so wait until it’s safe to move don’t rush because of surroundings. We all began somewhere.

So I am done with training took my final road test with no backing test. My trainer was green at training and didn't know how to teach me to back i was told I would be able to take a backing class when I got back to the terminal so im kinda on my own. Some of you may be thinking how did he go to cdl and not know how to back. Well I got my CDL five years ago and this is the first trucking job in 5 years. Any suggestions on how I can teach myself how to back properly?

Good luck be very safe always double check your routes and carry a road atlas never trust a gps. Talk to other drivers with experience.check weather conditions and if unsure get out and look. Don’t rush once you pass your test their is no such thing as too many pull ups or corrections. As long your safe and put it in correctly you should not worry about what others are feeling take your time. You are the captain on your ship.

Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.

I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.

My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.

Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.

I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.

My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.

Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.

I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.

My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.

I work for an LTL company and I do extra board I wanted to take my igloo cooler charger outlet one that you plug into cigarette lighter outlet. because it barely fits in between both seats to carry some snacks and healthier options while I’m on the road. It doesn’t keep things very cool. 20-30 degrees below inside temp. Any other brands more reliable? Links would be appreciated? Also any heathy snack ideas or meals that don’t take a lot of utensils or plugs cause I don’t have a sleeper would be appreciated.

I’m just getting a feel. Prime is great I’m not bashing them but I’ve made more here in 7 almost 8 months then I did at I prime in a year. The pay scale is higher for a company driver but I was tempted to stay at first I really love the way they work and how they operate. I asked and was given some options and the info on those options (lease/or trainer). I wanted to stay expressed that to them but in the end I wasn’t gonna stay cause it was just not financially good decision. I know you’ve been around longer and done this longer then me but I’m 23 I started at 21 driving and I’m sure there is a ton of things I don’t know. I’m not trying to be rude or argue it was just my input. For someone to keep in mind.

my experience with them prior to leaving wasn’t the best

Well, the experience you're referring to was basically you making a list of demands you thought you deserved because you hit the one year mark and the company didn't jump when you said jump. That experience isn't going to go well at any company I'm afraid.

See, your perception of how this industry works was based on bits and pieces of things you heard from other drivers at other companies. For instance, because one company gave their drivers a raise at the one year mark or more money for hauling Hazmat you thought you should get the same.

What you failed to realize is that each company has its own unique pay package. Not every element is going to be the same. Some companies pay more for certain things, others won't. In the end, it all works out about the same.

What you were trying to do is to take the best elements from different companies and stack them on top of each other to get the ultimate pay package where you get the best of everything. You would get all of the raises and all of the special pay that every company combined would give their drivers. That just isn't how it works.

The reality is that you were making as much at Prime as anyone was making anywhere at that stage of their career. You just fell for the "grass is greener" thing which so many people fall for. Then they jump ship and realize there's almost no difference between the major carriers. They're all great. Even though they all do things a little bit differently, those differences are rather trivial in the end.

However, you didn't just jump to a different OTR company. Now you're working LTL, which is a completely different animal altogether. So now your job and lifestyle has a completely different set of advantages and disadvantages. The funny part is that in the end you'll wind up making about what you would've been making at Prime, possibly a little more, but probably not. Your lifestyle is going to be drastically different though. Hopefully, it suits you better than OTR did, but if not you can just switch back to OTR - no big deal.

So I don't think it's accurate to say your experience at Prime wasn't good when you left. I think it's more accurate to say your expectations got ahead of your reality. It's no big deal though. This is just part of the learning process. At some point, you'll really understand all of the nuances of this industry and you'll settle into the niche that suits you best.

I agree 100% but my experience with them prior to leaving wasn’t the best. I keep hearing from other drivers their fleet managers and etc was more in touch with what I wanted. I achieved a 1 year mark of prime time certified (on time pick up delivery with no missed p/u delivery) I asked for a 1 cent raise as I felt it wouldn’t be much to ask for as a company driver I was told the only incentive that could be given to me was for the fuel mileage bonus. I also had my hazmat. I heard certain carriers pay a higher mileage rate for just having it alone for all miles wether hazmat or not. So I asked to see if I could pull hazmat I was told they could give me loads but not pay me more for any miles. I told them I wouldn’t pull hazmat for them In that case. In the end I was just told to either go company trainer or lease operator. Keep in mind I only had 1 year behind the wheel. I couldn’t train someone and teach them the essentials to make the best of what is to be encountered I barely had any experience my self . I felt that the best thing for me at the time was to move forward. Everything else is great from roadside to personal at terminals maintenance I recommend them. I work for an LTL. carrier now. I still think prime worker better with its overall company standards but I work 5 days on 2 days off at home running linehaul.

prime inc is a good “starter” company

To be clear, Prime Inc is a great company, period. We don't believe in the odd notion that large carriers are a good place to begin your career, but then somehow you're supposed to move onto a better place to work as if there's a better place to be than the largest, most successful carriers in the business. Here's my take on this from my podcast:

Episode 9: Are Major Carriers Nothing More Than Starter Companies?

Keep your head up man two years ago when I applied to go with Swift right before I had left for training I contacted a recruiter and told them I had speeding ticket in ca 55 in a 40 i was 21 I’m 23 they stopped talking to me contacting me etc. I had just passed my permit for cdl A and then I was bummed spoke to prime inc I got the ticket fixed paid it off and took a DMV class course. My advice is go with another company prime inc is a good “starter” company always look for what fits you best. Good luck

I had applied for paid CDL training with Jim Palmer Trucking / Wilson Logistics. I had to postpone training one time for a family memorial. Two weeks ago I called the recruiter who was dealing with me. Everything sounded a-ok for my august start date.

Call recruiting 3 days ago and poof out of nowhere they said nope we ain't going with you. I have one seatbelt violation in the last 10 years and no other things. Been driving a straight truck for the past 7 years. So I had put my 2 weeks notice in, so now I don't have a job.

Jesus Christ bless you

I work for Estes express. it’s another LTL like bobcat bob said it’s pretty much the gist of it but the only thing is you have to start as an extra board in Estes and I’ve heard SAIA which is another LTL. Before your home every day they typically go by seniority. Whoever has the most time with them gets to choose their route/run and it goes down the list from there. They typically pay higher than OTR.

I drove for prime 2 years ago. I have been driving for 2 years one for prime OTR and one Estes. Some LTL companies do train but they go off the dockworkers so they have a list of sign-ups. They don’t do like Prime, Schnieder, etc where you talk to a recruiter and they just put you behind the wheel. For Estes, they either pick you from a sign-up list from their dock workers or you apply with experience.

Hello again all. I've spoken with US Xpress, Prime, and Schneider. I've received pre-employment letters from 2 of them. Recently, I saw a YRC truck over by my house. There are a truck stop and restaurants close to my house. I looked them up and I saw it was LTL and Union company How does that differ from companies like the mega carriers I named above if there is a big difference at all? Curious. Every day I learn something new researching the trucking industry.

Understood and thanks for the clarity on the subject I will take into mind what you just said. I'm returning to Salt Lake City to either test out or re-evaluate on my training I'm confident on my driving like I can manage but my backing is where I'm having issues . I'm always just letting my trailer get off to either side I'm trying to control the wheel from the top like my trainer told me it's just I haven't done backing very often as I've been out for nearly 3 weeks (Saturday is 3 weeks) and the 9th of July I am needed back

TonyThe NewGuy wrote:

That's the one thing with my trainer he said first day I got on his truck safety first and now he wants me to floor the pedal and says that we need to go faster and it's certain areas that are narrower that I see and down shift to 9th or when I can't see to much road and think theirs a down hill or down grade I tend to slow it to 9th and usually at 50 mph and he says that I shouldn't be doing that and to upshift and take it in 10th

Tony...maintaining a safe speed is totally on you and a good idea. You are not yet experienced, still finding your "sea-legs" with driving, so drive at a speed that you are comfortable with, but also one that makes sense for the road you are on. The example you gave for slowing to 50mph, because you are concerned and think there might be a downgrade? I agree with your trainer on that point. Not safe... Downgrades requiring driver action are almost always well marked, clearly defining what is ahead and many times guidance on how to navigate the descent. Anticipating a downgrade for no tangible reason, responding with a significant drop in speed isn't a good idea, but a habit you need to break. Confidence in your skills will begin to improve with time. In addition trip-plan better so you have a better idea of what to expect during your route.

Good luck.

That's the one thing with my trainer he said first day I got on his truck safety first and now he wants me to floor the pedal and says that we need to go faster and it's certain areas that are narrower that I see and down shift to 9th or when I can't see to much road and think theirs a down hill or down grade I tend to slow it to 9th and usually at 50 mph and he says that I shouldn't be doing that and to upshift and take it in 10th

You're the captain of your ship, remember that

This above statement is the truest statement in trucking in my opinion. Just as with my topic on here about the safest areas of the country I care to run in. Ultimately anytime, you are the captain of that ship. Only you know if you feel safe doing something. No one else does. ALWAYS take the safer road, whether its in life or in trucking. If you stay in the safe road, you will have a lot less problems out here. As Master Yoda says: "Safe you must be in everything you do".