Comments By Gary E.

Let's roll call! I'll be there either tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure for how long, all I need to do is pick up my new permits. But could have extra time to meet TT folk.

Hartford, WI. Could I make it to Springfield and back by 9am for 01? 😉

I'm British and I only had 2 jobs since December last year and I was fine. As someone said though, try to have any unemployment time verifiable if you can, just in case they ask for it. A friend will do if they needed to verify that you were unemployed at anytime in the required history. NOT a relative though.

Good Luck

Man this feels good, to start getting PAID! Its week 2 of tnt training here at Prime and things are going well. Im starting to get the hang of floating gears, trip planning and paper work. Is everything perfect? Of course not, this is trucking .

I envy you man. I'm in week 1 PSD Phase. Feels kinda weird being officially unemployed right now. I left a good paying job to do this and managed to save some pennies before I came on this phase so I'm doing good and trying not to use the $200 advance from Prime. That said it must be nice to have that paycheck start coming in again.

Good luck to you!

I recently heard on the radio about National truck driving school. Their advertisement states that truck drivers can start out at $60,000.00 a year . If this is true what can an experienced driver of 5 or 6 years make? If this is not true what can a new driver expect to make in the first year .

$32,000-$42,000 gross seems to be low to high end in your first year. $60,000 is just a draw in to get the recruiters numbers up in the case of inexperienced drivers. Yes, as time goes by $60,000 is not impossible but don't expect this until you have some good experience behind you and a developed, good relationship with a good dispatcher.

Hi Jolie, I'm learning backing from You Tube just now, there are some really good videos from instructors on there that show you and explain to you how it's done. Of course this info is only useful if you can access the internet whilst in our truck. If not then make sure he understands your ways of learning. I have been lucky enough to have spent the last month around trucks and doing a number of manoeuvres before I attend school on Monday. The backing part will just click for you but I can relate with the frustration of not getting it quickly.

Good luck

Hi everyone, still plugging away at school but having a difficult time backing. The instructor is a great guy and says I am doing ok, but he explains how to back drawing diagrams and using visual terms and I am an auditory learner. I really want to get this down because I know that no matter how well I can drive, I cannot get my CDL without the backing part. Thanks so much in advance for any suggestions!

Since there are no answers:-

4/32 of an inch

Once a day

Pre-trip, During Trip ( especially at each stop, it only takes one nutcase to pull your trailer release arm) and post trip.

14

😀

Hi Will and congrats on getting to orientation with Prime. Does it start on the 27th by any chance?

Sorry late response, got caught up in an intense game of Age of Mythology. Barely won!

Hmm, well it really depends on exactly where. What I mean by this is, if you live in Kansas City you'll probably get a load somewhere close to there and deliver then go home. If you live in the middle of nowhere Ok south of Springfield then you'll drop your load in Springfield and most likely bobtail home.

Either way, you'll be able to take the truck home. But don't be surprised if they tell you to drop your empty trailer in Springfield if it's in your route. They would much rather let it be in use than sit there for a couple days.

Thanks Daniel, I'm in Jefferson City just South of I-70, so a pretty major highway. Maybe I will see you around sometime when things get rolling. I'm working just now and able to get a little practice on Pre-Trip and backing but no road driving. They let me use the trucks in the yard for moving the trailers around so I am hoping to have a little head start. Thanks again

You've searched everywhere for this information but how come I never got an email? You know I'm the Prime guy!

I need to know exactly how far from Springfield you live. Over 100 miles could mean 101 miles or 199 miles, big difference. Let me know and I'll give you an answer quickly.

Hi Daniel, I lost your number :( so I thought I better throw the question out there. Hope you and your family are doing well. According to google maps my shortest route from home to Springfield is 141 miles or 2hrs 37m.

What do you think?

Hi guys, I have finally held my US driving license for 12 months and have been accepted into Prime's sponsored training starting 27 Oct. it's been a long time coming but it has given me plenty time to learn some of the ins and outs of the business. I have a question for any experienced Prime Company drivers out there.

1) I live over 100 miles from Springfield. Once I become a 1st seat driver and I take my rest days do I have to leave the truck at Prime HQ and drive my vehicle home or can you take your tractor unit home with you?

I have searched everywhere for this info but to no avail. Anyone else out there starting on 27Oct?