Comments By Jason

Getting on the bus late tomorrow; starting Orientation on January 21.

Recruiter created a little crisis today asking about the medical card and my permit (after telling me repeatedly in the past that I have to retest, etc in Sprimo). I got my learners in GA before I applied (to show genuine interest in this path). He seemingly forgot I was headed to MO?!

Not the most audacious start; but he did warn last month that January was going to be 'crazy' busy.

Heard the saying "Squeaky wheel gets the grease" or something? Folks cry loud and long enough- someone will throw money at them to shut them up; but then they will NEVER shut up.

Unfortunate fact of life.

A bit off topic; but what DO company's do with all the trucks when they are 3+ years old? I keep hearing/reading about how big carriers keep their fleets current and I assumed that the lease scam was just a way to off load used equipment.

I'm sure there are worse places/locations to get stuck for 4-5 days.

If you like to read; check out https://www.royalroad.com/home otherwise known as Royal Road Legends. It's where new, indie, web novelist posts their stuff for free. Another is fictionpress.com but their search engine isn't as robust.

Soak up a lot of hours this way.

Spoke with a TMC recruiter briefly; knowing flatbed really wasn't for me but out of curiosity.

They require you to lift 80lbs regularly, easily or something like. If you've worked in an office most of your life and aren't in great physical shape...

Something to keep in mind.

Yes. Everything i have submitted so far expecting to submit again as they look for differences during the interview. Suppose that's how some get caught lying.

10 days and counting until I leave for Springfield, MO and Prime Orientation.

I'm starting to put together my travel kit and it's kinda ugly. I'm a tall, big guy- so all my stuff together makes a big package; add in sleeping bag and pillow and ugh!

Do I take the duffel bag with wheels or try to cram it all into two smaller, malleable bags?

Read somewhere I'll have to share bunk space with whatever I take?

Do I need steel-toe boots specifically?

Better to take too much and plan on mailing some of it home?

Is there a locker or storage at the Millinium building for overflow?

Sure there's a list of stuff to bring; but there's reality of how much space that's going to take vs how much I can expect to have...

Thanks for the quick response. Hopefully all my W2's will show up by the first 'break' and I can get my taxes done too!

Trying to get all the distractions covered before I start the big adventure; but there's always something.

Have a question for any Prime Driver/Trainer about home-time during training.

My Dentist screwed up an extraction last week, etc... In short doesn't look like they'll be getting my permanent 'bridge' back from the lab until after I've left for training. I've already paid my $100 and locked in a start date for January 21st. Bus leaves on the 19th. I don't want to push that back, but I also have to return to get the bridge installed. I live outside Atlanta, GA.

There's nothing in the documentation/orientation about home time from the first day of Orientation until you Upgrade and get your own truck. That said I'm pretty sure it's going to take 3? months (PSD/TNT) to drive 40K miles? Assume I would get time off when my trainer does...or do trainees go non-stop until the mileage quota is fulfilled?

How does home time work if you don't have your own truck yet...and don't live next to the terminal? Curious.

When i worked oil fields in Gulf of Mexico I was out for weeks/months at a time. Found a college town with student housing rentals. Usually offer a flat fee to rent a room that includes everything for 2-300/month.

Pricier than a mailbox but good enough to get your 'foot' on the door and then downsize.