Comments By NaeNaeInNC

They can and will test you at any time, via urine sample. I started 4/18, and last time we rolled through inbound in Pittston, I was randomly selected for a test.

This is NOT something you should ever risk. If you have any doubts of passing via follicle or urine, wait out and stay clean.

Darn.... Was just on sprimo for 2 weeks!

Good luck and we are here for ya

Super frustrated. I'm the third driver that they have attempted to assign to this truck, would be the 4th actual driver assigned to it. Been into and out of the shop. It STILL grinds with a left turn. FM said I can't refuse the truck. Detail missed the "male genetic material" splattered all over the back side of the sleeper curtains. I mean really people? I don't expect perfection, but could we at least have it to where I don't need a freaking hazmat suit?

My Prime trainer started his career at Pam. He wouldn't elaborate on why he left them. Soooooo I take that as neither good or bad. Lol

I haven't managed to run into Kearsey yet, but to be honest, we didn't do much stopping, or pre-deciding stopping points, so I didn't even try!

Sorry for being MIA. I am currently in Springfield, awaiting my very own truck. It's been a heck of a ride. My TNT guy has nicknamed me the vulgar version of "Poo Magnet." When it was all said and done, 40k TNT miles, 2.5 weeks of hometime, zero accidents, three (short) shop times, one phonecall over a false "critical event" and one super nauseating trip in the simulator turned into a live road test for upgrade.

I am terrified, excited, nervous, tired, and I think I'm ready.

Ahhh yes, good 'ol Missoula weather! Glad you seem to be progressing! When you get back through the 'Zoo, I highly recommend The Stone of Accord, and Staggering Ox!

I know of one formerly engaged couple that needed to work out childcare, both drivers. He leased a truck, took roughly one week out, routed through home, and swapped drivers. Each parent got quality time with their child, each made money, (I think it was everything after truck costs the week they drove)

There are options that could potentially allow both of you to drive, but your current idea would not.

Update time!

As of Thursday May 6th, I passed my pre-trip, backing, and road test, all in one go. PSD was rough, and I was with a "pad trainer" so it wasn't much one on one, and very few loads hauled, but all in all, it was a great experience. I managed to trifecta it, which I was skeptical that I could. (Multiple students went down over parallel parking 😳 ) I scored perfect on pre trip, didn't touch a line or cone during straight line, offset left, and parallel left. Perfect score there too. I picked up a total of 7 error points on the road test (31 is fail.) Mostly turning off my signal too early. I am now in TnT training, day 2. So far so good. We are going from Eastern NC to near Salt Lake City. I think I'm getting the hang of it, but seriously need more backing practice. Some memorable quotes are: Uhhhh so we need to work on real world backing. Someone certainly taught you how to turn right corners! (Thank you Carbondale PA for being the nasty SOB that you are, and my evil PSD trainer for making me go through with the tandems all the way back!) Um, I'm thinking we don't need the full week of just you driving. You are maintaining lanes better than I do, and you haven't slacked on mirror checking at all.....

I believe you can do the same with a direct stream to the Fire stick Lite and Roku. Those with XBoxes and PS4s I believe can do the same.

I figured it was something along those lines. It just tap danced on some of the fears brought up by other people and their "concerns" about training as a female driver.

Honestly, the best place to start for this information is to do a public records request in the county that issued the citation. If you have driver name, you may be able to get a reproduced copy of the citation, and quite possibly get an answer from the county attorney's office as to what it means in this particular case. There is usually a fee involved (my county charged $10 to even search the name, then $0.25/page of the associated record.)

It could be a reference to the state code.

That's a dang good point!

You get a Gold Star for advice with that observation.

I only know to look, because we had to look at city, county, and state codes a few moons ago while working in justice court.

Late to the party on this, but I can tell you what happens when you listen to those doubting your choices. I let my family's fears drive my decision making process, and made a whole bunch of "safe" choices because "what if I fail at........." I have a mountain of regret from it. My son has a lot of resentment because of my choices. I can't look at him and say "I did my best" because it really wasn't. It was my best within the box I had firmly placed myself in.

At 40, I was still guilt tripped when I packed up my car and left. The morning I said see ya later, I was told that I was "putting my family in a difficult place."

My advice? Tell nobody. List a friend as an emergency contact, and tell people AFTER you have already made the change. At that point there is no longer the room for arguments.

It would be helpful to know what state the citation was issued in. It could be a reference to the state code.

Howdy!

Where in Montana did you live? The husband worked on cattle ranches in Sand Springs, Melstone, Ekalaka where two Traumatic Brain Injuries sidelined him permanently. In 2008, we moved to south central Idaho to be closer to one of his daughters and the other two when they came to visit. He died Sept 9, 2014 and I have been driving since.

Laura

Laura, I am so sorry for your loss. He may have run across my uncle in his cattle hauling career with Dennis Berger.

I was born and raised in Missoula, have family all over the state. Unfortunately, I was stuck in a dead end career, commuting 2 hours each day, and never getting ahead. My son left the nest, and I was left wondering why I was still fighting staying in MT. I looked into trucking, and was in the process of getting out of my apartment, and getting my permit, when I had to have ankle surgery, and scotched back my plans another 6 months.

I kept getting offered flatbed positions, which was awesome, but coming from the Workman's Comp side of things, and handling the adjusting of more than a few flatbed claims, I knew it wasn't right for me. Derek at Prime told me "if you can change DL and Permit to another state, re-apply."

Fast forward to a REALLY BAD DAY™ in the Work Comp world, I called up my friend, did some math, and put my notice in. 33 days later, I was on the road to NC. I haven't been here a full month yet, and I have already established residence, and been set for orientation. My friend thought she would have more time with me just hanging around, but nope. Onto working the plan!

I am headed to Pittston on 4/19 (rental pickup late Saturday, drive in from Eastern NC) and am TERRIFIED of "something going wrong" and getting sent home.

This has gone way fast, and super easy once I got my application in. I actually called Derek my recruiter a smidge freaked out about it. He informed me that Prime is already over a grand into students before they even set foot at training. They don't want to get someone all the way there, and send them home. I'm just waiting for that shoe to drop.

Good luck!

19 over is going to be a problem with alot of places.

Apply For Paid CDL Training

I would refer to the manual with that. I thought 15 over was considered reckless in terms of getting and keeping a CDL.

I struggled badly with CPAP use when I was first diagnosed. I second the rec to look at apneaboard. However I caution you, some sleep Docs don't appreciate being second guessed, and will fire you as a patient for it.

*****I am not a medical provider, and my answer is based solely on personal experience, and what worked for me*****

What I had to do, was bring my data to a new sleep doc, and explain my theory of what was going on. (My pressure needs jump from low support needs to high, randomly, and a fixed pressure doesn't work for me.)

"Compliance" for DOT (and insurance companies) is 4 hours per night, 80% of the time. I have seen friends sit in bed with the machine and mask on watching movies so that they could get acclimated to it. Also, most DME providers will allow a patient to exchange a mask within 30 days to find one that works.

I have heard of "the situation" you refer to, and admittedly I almost bailed out of the idea of driving altogether as a female. Clearly my rational brain took over, as I am scheduled for orientation with Prime in PA on April 19th. Still a teensy bit scared, but I'm pretty sure once I'm there, I'll be awesome.

Phew. Here I go! At 40 years old, I turned my entire life upside down. Left Montana for North Carolina, got my CDL permit with all endorsements except HazMat (oops. Going to retest that tomorrow.)

I will be starting orientation in Pittston on April 19th, and am a tiny bit apprehensive about it. I appreciate all the information everyone has put forth, and the time and effort it takes to moderate a community!