Profile For Big Jim

Big Jim's Info

  • Location:
    MI

  • Driving Status:
    Considering A Career

  • Social Link:

  • Joined Us:
    6 years, 6 months ago

Big Jim's Bio

Not really much to tell. I'm just a guy wanting to get back into trucking. Have questions? Just ask me.

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Posted:  6 years, 6 months ago

View Topic:

May I please have some advice?

Thank you for all the replies guys. I really appreciate it. It gave me some more food for thought. Now I know why this really is the best trucking forum on the net.

Posted:  6 years, 6 months ago

View Topic:

May I please have some advice?

Hello all! I am new to this site but have crept around here for awhile now. I figured now was the time to make a profile and start asking for some advice. So a little background on me. I am 33, male and received my CDL A about 3 1/2 years ago. No house, no wife/girlfriend/mistress and no children...that I know of...lol. So again, I haven't shifted a gear in a bit. 3 1/2 years to be exact. After school I went to Schneider and the last week of training I had a family emergency.

I had to come home and take care of my mom (is is good now) since then I drove a school bus in my area. I did this to be close to home. Well, the time has come for me to get back into the truck. I have my heart set on tanker and I have looked at Schneider and prime inc. Both great companies from what I have read and both train very well. I even spoke to PTL. I do know they are only dry van but I was thinking about going with them for the experience (3-6 months) if I like them I stay. If I still want the thrill and pay of tanker then off I go. I see pros and cons for all three companies (just like in life) Schneider pros Because I need a refresher course and they pay for it, I sign a three month "promissory note" and after 90 days I am free and clear.

Also, I would only be in a steel box with a stranger for 1-3 weeks. Cons they are very strict. That is awesome but I don't want to go down there and shift for beans (except after refresher) and the send me home and then I am in the hole at least $1,500. I have read about it happening.

Prime inc. Pros Again, great training. With them I will basically be going to truck driving school again. I can see the advantages in that. The pay isn't bad either. Con I have to be in that steel box with a stranger for at least 30,000 miles or 6-8 weeks.

I am leery because I had a VERY bad experience at Schneider. I am still a little leery and shell shocked about getting into a truck with a stranger for 24 hours a day give or take a foot.

Then there is PTL. Pros pick your trainer fir phase 1 I do 7,500 miles then take up to 7 business days off before phase 2 then another 7,500 miles with a partner I choose. Cons its dry van (nothing against dry van. I just want to do tanker.) But like I said, good experience. Is there maybe another carrier I haven't looked at? I'm sorry this post is so long. I appreciate any and all the wisdom you have to offer. Thank you in advance.

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