Location:
Williamstown , NJ
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
Total noob but have decided to leave my career in retail as a manager and get back on my own again. I was self employed for twenty years operating a small greenhouse range and farm market. I also dabbled in other businesses and have decided I love being my own boss. So here I am stepping into the world of the professional truck driver. Looking forward to the challenges ahead. Been out of TNT and on my own since March 2020 as a lease operator.
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Trucking under Democratic or Republican Government
Join me on my boat, that’s the next thing on my list l, tired of taxes.
As a former govt employee ..any govt is run horribly. I want them out of my life and I am moving to a cabin in MT. Lol
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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I am putting an email together to see what Prime can do for me. I love driving for Prime, I was just in Pittston for an oil change and tires and I got a call from home for an emergency and headed back home was hoping to be on the road. Hopefully tomorrow. I am beyond frustrated at this point. Let’s see what happens. Thanks
^^^^^ Cool that, for SURE, Leeva804 ~!!
LIZ, major kudos, and congrats ~!!!
I don't have any advice, but some of the folks in the replies above have given you some solids, it seems~!!
I'm just thinking (and hoping!) that you can / could / will / would find something inside Prime's abilities to support you & your familial needs. I sure wish you well in that respect also, ma'am. Hope things are looking up, soon! Just knowing that Prime is probably THE hardest large company to get into (and fairly so,) it'd be a bummer to have to leave there, after all the training, time, etc... that you've endured and accomplished there!
Wishing you the best, no matter what!
~ Anne ~
ps: Moi hubby just said, find out who hauls for International Paper in your area; could be something to look into!! His company, FAB, isn't out your way. :(
pps: Garner, here in Findlay, Ohio ... hires in your area..they're actually all about 'our' area, and ... like Prime, are one of the 20 best fleets to drive for~!! Quite the title. If he (husband) wasn't 'local/intrastate' and happy, He'd be with Garner. Check THEM out. They'd take you happily, having been w/Prime. (Garner is kinda 'elitist' as well, haha!) Garnertrucking.com btw ~!
Posted: 3 years, 11 months ago
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Liz...
National Freight out of Vineland has many home daily opportunities.
Congratulations on your first year!
Good luck!
Will check them out Ty
Posted: 3 years, 11 months ago
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I can’t believe on Oct. 30th was my one year anniversary. Talk about time flying. So question, when do I get awesome at backing?? 🤣😂
I just figure as long as I don’t hit anything or anyone, or make anything get cracked bent or broken, I am doing ok.
But with my one year. I need to figure out my next move and will need to be dropping my FM an email. I will say, I absolutely love driving for Prime and love otr. That said, family health issues is pushing me toward absolutely needing to be home more. I don’t really know what options to consider cause I planned on doing otr for a few years and maybe train. I have been on a daze for the last couple weeks cause I wasn’t aware of how bad things are.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks Liz
You can search for Road Driver positions with FedEx Freight here - https://careers.fedex.com/freight/jobs?location=new%20jersey&stretch=10&stretchUnit=MILES&page=1
FedEx linehaul goes out daily and back the same day. Or you can be adventurous and search for City Driver positions within your area with FedEx Freight.
Alternatively, I'd look for Intermodal positions in NJ. Running rails or containers from ports is a home everyday gig.
Will check it out thanks
Don’t know if I am ready for city driving I had my adventures just north of Boston on some small streets with a 53’ trailer. I said never again 😮🤔😂😅
Posted: 3 years, 11 months ago
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Truck Simulator at Orientation
If the simulator gives you motion sickness, it did to me not like barf city but felt nauseous, they can darken the screen a bit and bring a pair of sun glasses. Just tell them ya feel queasy, and they will take care of you.
Posted: 3 years, 11 months ago
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I can’t believe on Oct. 30th was my one year anniversary. Talk about time flying. So question, when do I get awesome at backing?? 🤣😂
I just figure as long as I don’t hit anything or anyone, or make anything get cracked bent or broken, I am doing ok.
But with my one year. I need to figure out my next move and will need to be dropping my FM an email. I will say, I absolutely love driving for Prime and love otr. That said, family health issues is pushing me toward absolutely needing to be home more. I don’t really know what options to consider cause I planned on doing otr for a few years and maybe train. I have been on a daze for the last couple weeks cause I wasn’t aware of how bad things are.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks Liz
Posted: 3 years, 11 months ago
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What are people taught about backing
So I’ll hit you up with my prime experience. I was with my TNT trainer for 50k miles. It took me about 30k miles to get comfy backing. Did it every chance I could. During that time I had one blindside at a receiver my trainer spotted me and I managed to get it in the hole. I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, my trainer was great but weak in backing. He likes to wiggle it in small moves and pull-ups. No real standard points for setup etc. So for me I learned to do it that way not that I liked it. So almost a year in for driving and talking to experienced drivers and watching them. I’m getting it down pretty good, including backing into some tight places. I talk with my trainer and actually have been helping him with his set up.
As far as blindsiding, i truly try to avoid it. I had one I had to do in Kentucky and the receiving manager backed me in. He does it all the time. Just when I set up I though he wanted me close to the curb but he wanted me up on the side walk cause I’d hit the curb on the other side of the street. Go figure when I have an opportunity and space I try to practice. Still terrible at it but one day I’ll be ok. Just as long as I don’t, hit break, bend, or hurt anyone and it’s in the hole, I win. So if you see a struggling purple prime truck be patient and say hi.
At one time, we were all new.
Posted: 4 years ago
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Friend Not Liking Paid Training/Question
They have to be looking at more than that. At prime I had to take the road test three times. I missed a stop sign the first time and I curbed it the second. I got a serious talking to after my second attempt but I believe they would have given me a fourth try. Third time was a charm, maybe they saw how determined I was. I don’t know but if they don’t seem confident or are scared that could be factor. It’s serious business being out there on the road you have to be safe and secure with your driving skills.
Posted: 4 years ago
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I always have plenty to eat. I got one of those galanz microwave convection and air fry ovens. I eat steak chicken pork you make it plus you can make a cake on it ( haven’t tried yet) plus I have a crock pot and a little George Forman so I eat well and shop Walmart’s and some of the quick stops in Wisconsin are mini grocery stores. Cheese curds a plus lol.
As far as working for a lease operator it can be more money and bonuses and time off depending on what they want to offer and you can still be a company driver (from what I understand somebody correct me if I’m wrong on this) .
As far as selection and getting food OTR, these trucks can go to the majority of WalMarts for shopping. Plenty of selection coast to coast.
Posted: 3 years, 2 months ago
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Suggestions for company sponsored training
I drove for Prime for two years, I did their training and yes the miles are high before you go in your own but I choose it for several reasons. First was to to be comfortable handling the truck and being able to drive in different situations and know when to shut down. The other was to learn the business, managing my clock as time is money, as well as learn to deal with shippers/receivers, dispatch and sales. I had a great trainer, we still talk a couple times a week.
I love otr but illness in the family required me to be home and available. I truly miss it. My old trainer keeps asking me to team.
Being alone in the road is something to get use to?. I personally hate people, just kidding. I just love the solitude but some days your so busy it doesn’t phase you. Other times I would go through my contact list, I talked to my son for hours while driving I80. You do get use to it.
I still looking for a local gig but hasn’t happened yet. I just can’t load and unload trucks anymore and we’ll my proximity to nyc seems it’s a place to ot of company’s want me to go to.
Good luck with your search. Enjoy the challenge, go in humble and willing to learn to be the best.
Liz