Profile For Adam J.

Not weighing in on belief or disbelief but as a nurse why couldn't she just find a doc to script her Adderall? If she was dosing such that you didn't notice I can't imagine it would have been all that different than taking an XR once a day and maybe an instant release later in the day. Then she'd have been like Doc Holliday "This time it's legal"

I honestly couldn't tell you. Once she told me that she refused to go to rehab, that she doesn't have a problem with her drug use, it is me who has the problem with her using drugs, I ended it right then and there.

So she told you that you have an issue with her using. Addicts almost never admit they have a problem because they dont care. It is usually the family that has issues with thier use. Years of working in mental health and Substance abuse has taught me that. Best bet in my opinion is distance your self, seek help through a SAP (they offer services for family in dealing with issues) give it time...... if you truely are substance free then try again in a year or so. Focus on you for now. If you do have a problem then at least you are attempting to address the issue and recover. It may have been a false positive but who (other than you) truely knows? Just my few cents. Remember the first step is admitting you have a problem (either drugs or family member using) and that your problems are not theirs.

Drats....i thought so. No Canada anytime soon then.

Still need a passport or a passport card.

I have a TWIC card does this mean I can run to Canada or do I still need a passport (or passport card thingy?)

Is there a TSA background check then? I swear I've seen something about one or the other.

If there's a background check only why not just get the TWIC as it's just a more in depth check afaik.

As with endorsements, does your TWIC help get loads as well?

You need your TWIC for HME don't you

Nope, I have Hazmat and do not have one.

Like the others have said get them early on, the fewer trips to the DMV the better. Plus the Hazmat one can take some time better to just knock it out early.

The TSA background check is what is required to get your Hazmat endorsement. The TWIC card will enable you to enter ports, and Canada. These are two different things. Some drivers have both, some one or the other, some neither.

TSA / Hazmat Endorsement

Hope that helps some~

~ Anne ~

Sorry I have been off the radar for a while. I passed my CDL test last January, and started the second phase at Prime, Inc in Feb. completed that in April and got my own truck. Been on the road since and running hard. Only been home a couple of times since leaving for PA in January 2021. I have been every where and have been able to cross one thing off my bucket list (see all lower 48 states) and completed that this last trip. I know the first year is toughest as with any job, this being no different. Knowing that I said "if I make close to what I made before trucking....I will be fine with it. Anything above is just a plus" Well.....I passed that by a long shot. This is the most I have made, but also perhaps the hardest I have worked or at least most. I hustle and bust my butt, manage my clock tight and don't make any wasted moves to burn my time. The hardest thing is being away from the kid, but she is 22 and taking care of the house for now, but looking to move out of state. She has been with me for 13+ years so it is hard for me not to be there but she is ok with it. I am not sure what my next adventure will be yet as I have a couple of options on the table and am weighing out my options. Prime, Inc has treated me very well, so I am pretty sure I will not be going much of anyplace. My one year commitment with them is completed so that is not an issue. This last year has been a heck of a ride, seen a lot of new cool things and have experienced things that I never would have otherwise. I want to thank everyone here and Brett for stating this site. This site has helped a lot with my studying (passing all tests first time) and there is a lot of great advice for everyone here. I hope to be more active in the future and be able to help others looking to totally up-end their life and start something new. Thank you all, travel safe.

Stopoed at rest area in Colorado during the fall. Sorry I have not posted much. Been pretty busy over the past few months, but have some great pics.

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.