Comments By Anthony R.

I chose Prime for similar reasons-the pay is very good. Am upgrading to solo this week-maybe Ill get to meet you some day. There is a disadvantage in the home time but that can be worked out in time. Since I am single that is not a factor with me. I was actually given the choice of a dedicated run in Maine where I am from but chose to stay nationwide. Hope it all works out well for you.

You are not alone-recently took a load from Miami to Wichita KS, Denver Co, and Colorado Springs-load had 8 stops-drove from N. Florida to Birmingham-from midnight till next morning-trainer took over in Birmingham-he drove to terminal in Missouri-I took over and left about 1 am and drove to first two stops in Wichita-had to unload by hand-arrived about 8am-got done and drove on to Hays KS where my trainer took over-early afternoon. After about 5 or 6 hours got to Denver-assisted trainer in unloading then-I took over and drove to Colorado Springs-by then was about 6am-we did the three stops there under icy cold conditions-was done by about 1pm-was going to get some rest but then got another dispatch right back to Kansas to pick up next load-drove from Col. sprgs. to Syracuse KS-so was awake from 6pm till about 5pm the following day-unloaded six stops by hand-drove for about 7 hrs. during that time frame. So I hear you on that.

There were times I thought I would never catch on to shifting-I was dropped by a trainer because I couldnt shift after two hours-another trainer got me going-had doubts then-then on first run with trainer came to a dead stop on the first couple of inclines going up-however-after a couple of weeks,was driving through traffic jams and city traffic with no problem-it will come with time and practice-I found that when slowing down-drop it to eighth right from 10th when you get down to 30mph-then to 6th when it gets to 15mph or so-then do your turn in 6th-if you have to come to a complete stop-then you can drop it to 4th before you get going again. Shifting up-shift when you feel the acceleration drop off-to the next highest gear-these are things that helped me. Go right from 4th to 6th when shifting up-I find that works. Avoid beating up on yourself too much if you grind a lot in the beginning.

I am very happy with Prime. Am out with my trainer and I was fortunate to get a good one. Will be testing for cdl in less than a week. Am in Utah heading for wyoming as soon as I get my time back-you will do well with Prime. I am thinking of going with that type of truck also.

Go for it-be prepared to tough it out in the beginning especially-they make it that way to test you in the beginning-I knew that, but many there didnt-lots of moaning and groaning-dont let that deter you-roll with it. I didnt continue only because I did not pass the vision test. My biggest worry that caused me not to go back after getting vision corrected was the low starting pay and the pressure to lease. Be wary of that-but again you only have a nine month commitment. My experience with Prime very positive-aced 3 out of the five exams I took and got a 95 and 96 on the others. My blood pressure a tad high and have to retake it in the morning-even if I fail-I will get it corrected and go back to Prime. A lot of the credit goes to the studying on this site.

I am also in Springfield-there is a wal mart right near me, but you must be at the other one across from Lowes.

The test I took was you had to crouch and walk under a trailer-then climb up into the back and jump down-not much to it at all-you should pass if youre not a cripple.

According to the DOT requirements-there are varying degrees of high blood pressure-there are 3 different levels of hypertension-with a less severe form-they will give you the medical card that will expire after one year rather than 2 as would normally be the case. If it is worse you can still get a card for 3 months-but you would have to get it within range in that 3 months-then be issued a card good for I believe a year. If it is worse than that you would have to get it corrected before passing the exam at all-if I had the manual with me I could tell you what the exact readings have to be for each level of hypertension. Under certain circumstances-a person may have to renew their medical card every 6 months-I will have to go back to the manual later and will post the exact figures.

If you can pass the DOT physical-youre not too old.

Anthony R

I jumped out of bed when I remembered to ask you this question:

What school/company did you choose to go with after this CR England mess?

I am going with my original first choice which is Prime Inc. out of Springfield MO. That company is all about the driver-this is coming from people who actually drive for the company-the facilities which I have already toured are top notch. I will be beginning next week. Am positive that this will be a much better experience for me. I fully realize the difficulties of being a driver and that school will not be easy-would have toughed it out and fulfilled my committment to CR England if I passed the vision test. But I view that failure as a blessing in disguise and move on to a company that I know without a doubt is all about their drivers.