Profile For Adam J.

I was to some extent in the same boat.... I did not want to jump until I was sure I had a job. I went with Prime, Inc. I found that there are many, many steps to jump through before attending training. First was the DOT psychical, then the permit test. Then I had to redo DOT as he gave me a 90 day card so that I could have sleep study done (good luck with COVID). At any point I could have changed my mind and stayed home doing my old job. They paid for a rental car for me to get to PA from Maine. Hotel, meals and transportation to/from training was covered. Once I passed my CDL (first shot) they put me up in a hotel for another week until a trainer was available. The process is long and at times overwhelming. Many times I was thinking what the heck have I gotten myself into? I knew if needed I had a job with my old employer but I continue to stick it out. I suggest you talk to a recruiter and ask him/her questions. There are options and I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure as well about being hired. Take your time, research different companies, study, ask questions, study, sleep on it. Talk to friends, co-workers, family, people on here, get as many sides as you can before jumping (or not) Just my few pennies worth. :)

I have run into a lot of construction so far (and I have not been solo long). I slow down even if I don't see anyone. I figure it is quicker to slow down than have to sit besides the highway waiting while a trooper takes his time writing a ticket and going over my logs or truck because I didn't want to drop my speed a little.

Yeah non smoker Everything got messed up with the snowstorm right after I tested out (Sunday morning). I figured i would not bug dispatch too much about a trainer and waited a few days for things to settle back down.

I did get trainer who was just starting his home time after dropping off last trainee, so that was a few days as well.

Running refer.. that was a nice drive down to Henderson. The warm weather was nice for a change but now back up in the frozen north.

I just completed the PSD in Pittston and passed the CDL test. I was at the hotel for a week waiting to get a trainer. In the past week I have been from PA, Vermont, Nevada, Arizona. Now waiting in Salt Lake for our next load to start to run me back toward home (Maine).

I had them cover the rental car as I was not sure about parking and did not want to risk breaking down between Maine and Pittston. I know i will get home at some point, and am just trying to absorb as much information as I can.

Did you request a non smoker for TNT? I'm just wondering why it took so long for you to get your TNT trainer. I mean, it is obviously not unheard of to wait that long, but a male with no smoking preference usually doesn't have to wait that long at Pittston from what I've heard. Also, what division are you? That could make a difference.

I assume you have to go back to Maine to get your Maine license? Your paper copy will expire soon. You're probably getting daily messages at this point saying as much.

I just completed the PSD in Pittston and passed the CDL test. I was at the hotel for a week waiting to get a trainer. In the past week I have been from PA, Vermont, Nevada, Arizona. Now waiting in Salt Lake for our next load to start to run me back toward home (Maine).

I had them cover the rental car as I was not sure about parking and did not want to risk breaking down between Maine and Pittston. I know i will get home at some point, and am just trying to absorb as much information as I can.

I was in Mental Health working as a case manager. I would work with clients and providers. Link clients to services and advocate for their care. The job entailed a lot more but that is the easy explanation. Did that for 16 years before getting my CDL (in Jan 2021)

Thank you. I am going to call the fleet manager to find out. I have been busy trying to get home repairs done from here (broken water lines) I know that travel is limited due to the storm so I am just going to stay at the terminal. I would like to go home, but it's a long drive back to Maine and crappy weather figured it was best to stay put.

Congratulations, Adam! Have you heard anything about a TNT trainer yet? Are you going to have to wait in Pittston for a trainer, or are you close enough to home that you can wait at home if you need to?

So a quick update...I am here in Pittston, PA at Prime, Inc. I have been here since January 10 for the PSD program. I have been out on the road from PA to Vermont, Kentucky and Tennessee before returning back to the terminal. A couple days of practice backing and scheduled to test for CDL on Saturday morning. Lots of nerves and worry about testing. Saturday morning came and test day arrived along with emails about trucking restrictions due to a pending storm that is to start. Great....more things to worry about... Test time came. Pre-trip and in cab no issues (yes the HRTP helped a lot) Air brakes...had brain cramp but was able to recover. Skills part (one that I was dreading) straight back, no problem. Off-set to the right...ok did a ton of that in practice. Parallel to the right....ouch **sigh** only did a couple in practice. Deep breaths, slow down and think...nailed it (not as good as I wanted but in the box with no violations. Road test, not an issue. Just a shocked look on my face returning to test pad and finding out I passed, hitting the "Trifecta". Paperwork done, and now Prime employee.... I still cant believe that I have taken this leap into this journey. Thank you all for all your experience and advise. I do not think I would have tried this adventure without everyone's help and input. I know I have a long way to still go, but the big thing is that I passed and have my license. A huge shout out to Brett, Old School and everyone else. THANK YOU.

At the training pad in Pittston, PA. Polishing by backing, off set parking, alley dock and parallel parking before my exam tomarrow morning. Currently 28 and breeze is picking up.

43 and cloudy here in training in Pittston, PA. Feels colder if you ask me.

First off, thank you all for your hard work, dedication and sacrifices you have all made. Second, Old School, I am sorry to hear about your medical issues and wish you all the best.. My goal for 2021is simple.... survive and complete the year. I am heading out to PA this weekend and start at Prime, Inc Monday with the student driver program. So my goal right now is to learn as much as I can, and get through the rest of the year. Oh and make enough money to pay my bills (which are not that many thankfully)

Hard to believe I started this thread 4 months ago....4 MONTHS... Damn COVID-19. After I got my CDL Permit, and fighting with my PCP and insurance I finally had that sleep study that the DOT doctor wanted. Of course, in the mean time my DOT card has expired. More fighting with my insurance to pay for a C-PAP and 3 weeks later I finally was able to get it. I let my recruiter know about finally getting the C-PAP. I checked my e-mail yesterday out of boredom. There was an e-mail from Prime, Inc with an invitation and start date for orientation....lets just say January 11, 2021 can not get here soon enough. This has been in the process since June, but something I have been working for over the last 4 years or so. Now to update my boss and see if I can take a week vacation from the 11th until the 17th just in-case something goes wrong. This is going to be a fun conversation with my boss (pretty sure it will not be an issue I have over 200 hours of vacation time). Guess I should start going through the High Road Trucking Program as a refresher... Lots of studying to do

Congratulations. I will be heading to Pittston, PA (Prime) soon (next month)

You can change it to whatever you like, but Driver in Training is more accurate.

Regardless. Great job getting your CDL

Where are you going to begin your career?

Prime Inc., and I big thank you to everyone for the support and info.

I went to DMV this morning for my CDL permit test and to do a couple of other things while there. VERY VERY productive day. I went through the COVID-19 stuff and told the outside person what I needed (add 3-wheel motorcycle endorsement to license). I got my license for that in June 2019, but never can get down to add it due to work all day. Walked in taps the little machine thinggy and it spit out a ticket...#13. Good sign as 13 is my lucky number. Got called right up..no waiting (see told you all #13 is lucky). Told him what I needed and gave him the paperwork. He starts typing and said there was an issue gets up and walks away to find a supervisor(perhaps its not as lucky as I thought...?)He comes back a few minutes later and explained the issue. The state changed the laws in September 2019, my 3 wheel motor cycle restriction is lifted and I have my full motorcycle license, no just the 3-wheel. I told the guy my balance was not that good and I think I will keep away from the 2 wheels. The dude laughed and told me I could legally drive them now if I wanted to. YAY!!! but I will pass thank you very much. Don't need to fall and break something. Now the real reason I am here at DMV....Permit test....4 tests.....4 passes I think I got a total of 7 wrong in all the tests combined (General knowledge, air brakes, tanker, Combination). I got in touch with my Prime recruiter and let her know. Now if the doctor would do my sleep study, I would be all set(my PCP already did the referral so now I am waiting on the sleep lab people)...oh wait....I need to get an extension on my DOT medical card as it expires at the end of September as he only gave me it for 90 days to get the sleep study. Someone in one of my earlier post said something about dancing bananas and polar bears... but I don't see them :)

Great job..I hope my 2 years goes as fast for me.

This entire process has taken longer than I had hoped for. I stated the process in the middle of June. Had psychical at the end of June and got my medical card (but only 90 days to get a sleep study done). Finally have my permit test on August 19. Still waiting on sleep study and may need to have my card extended out. My plan was to start the process in May but everything has been on hold due to Covid-19 and waiting for the state to open up permit testing again. My next hurdle is only a few days a way, but I have been studying on the High Road Training Program so I think I should be all set. Just need to study on air brakes a little more, tanker endorsement should not be an issue, general knowledge and combo should be OK so the only thing I am really nervous about is the air brakes. Wish me luck everyone as I continue to review that part for testing.

New guy here..... Call dispatch first off. I think dragging the dumpster out of the way would work but risky if the chain snapped or damaged the ground. I think coming in at an angle would work but it would be harder as I would think there would be limited vision. I would try to back under part way and raise the 5th wheel and try to move the trailer a little to get it angled. Once it is angled, back all the way under, hook and go. Not sure if it would work or not. Just my thought

Good luck. I am waiting from DMV here in Maine to set up my test date. Going to get my DOT psychical if I get of work at a decent hour Friday.

I spoke to recruiter yesterday and was accepted into the Student Driver Program. Paperwork sent into DVM for permit test. Got notice to schedule for DOT physical before July 4. Things are rolling right along, hopefully DMV moves quickly as well. Now just to wait......

I have been a member of this site for a number of years now. I have kept to the shadows and lurking around. For a refresher here you go. I have wanted to drive for many years now but have always put it off for one reason or another. The plan was I was going to go after Destiny (my daughter) graduated High School in 2017. However..she went off to college and I just could not leave the home without anyone to take care of it, so I put it off **hangs head**. The plan then was going to be once the pseudo-daughter graduated from college I would head out. Well she graduated in May this year. Stupid COVID-19 hit and everything got messed up. I have been busy studying the High Road Training on here (great program). I completed my application this morning with a company and got a call a few hours later. They are looking at the middle of July to get me out for training provided I pass the DOT psychical and Permit test. I was hoping to go sooner, but mid-July works as well. Only question/concern I have is getting everything done in 30 days and am a little nervous about how long it will take the motor vehicle department to get me in for testing. There are many many steps, but today was one of the biggest so far. Stay turned as I plan to keep people updated.

I am not in school, but I am getting cranky about it. I have been studying the High Road Training program here (great resource). My original plan was to start once my daughter graduated high school in 2017. Life happens and it was put off. I made up my mind before my birthday in Feb this year that it was going to happen. Started studying and reading. I planned on going in May after my pseudo-daughter graduated from college with her masters. Then BAM!!!! nope not gonna happen. Schneider is not holding the training program anymore. So much for Plan A. Plan- B Prime... a little longer training program so I am OK with that. I decided to hold off until end of June when the fiscal year ends so I get my bonus where I am now. Called BMV yesterday to ask a couple of questions. They are not sure when they will open back up and there is a wait list for CDL testing. I planned on starting the process with Prime in mid June with a plan to head out in mid July. I am not sure what will happen now as everything is still closed down. Just becomes a waiting game..... grrrrrr... I am so ready for change and get out of Mental Health work....