Comments By NaeNaeInNC

Isn't there one extra section from tx though? I can't specifically remember which, it's been a minute!

I don't see the issue with requiring a doubles/triples endorsement.

It's just a quick computer test. Have you actually seen your company with the equipment needed to build a set? It may be entirely a checklist item, that they want to use in their negotiating position.

For instance:

"90 percent of our fleet have TWIC and Passports".

The hidden meaning? Our drivers can pass the homeland security background check for TWIC and can legally leave the country. But saying "none of our drivers are criminals" would be frowned upon and hurt someone's feelings

Montana wouldn't allow you to even take the permit test without a valid med card, so you may not even have the option.

Of the two, I'd say Wilson. However that is wholly dependant on gut feeling, and not knowing anything current about May. Keep in mind, some of Wilson's fleet hauls Prime trailers, and has access to our facilities and drop yards while under Prime loads. SOME of their drivers park at our main terminal sometimes, even with their brand new facility 10 miles away.

What PJ said, verbatim. Except for the "pulling tanks 6 years" part....

Solo training isn't realistic. I think I have only heard of one company that you got training miles with a mentor right there in the passenger seat the whole time. Unfortunately the team driving model is how most training goes, and for good reason.

Team training allows the student to think it through themselves, but have the safety net of someone immediately available to assist. The whole point is to learn how to operate by yourself.

As for sleeping while the truck is in motion, that's just how it is. I am also a CPAP user, and that wasn't what made sleeping hard. What eventually worked was wireless headphones (that covered the whole ear) and Binaural sleep music.

They don't alter how I drive at all. However, there is a risk to "alarm blindness" for some people. My first truck had a habit of all the sensors losing their calibration, so I would get constant feedback and false alerts until I could get it recalibrated again. It was frustrating, and annoying. By the time I got into my second truck, the only thing that popped into my head was the slightly different tone change between the trucks. People can get lulled into a false sense of safety, OR a habit of ignoring the warnings (faulty warnings) and miss something really important.

Do I think it can be helpful? Sure. Do I think it's the be all end all of safety? No. Especially when climbing a really long hill while heavy, and the truck thinks a sign over the interstate is an impending collision and stomps the brakes.

Quoted from a 2026 Fire Engine Red Peterbilt 579. I was shocked when it showed available 🤣

Instead, your truck company keeps you in late model tractors, with room for a TV and even might have a fridge installed! As I said, learn your business, keep your nose clean (an old way of saying "don't mess around") and you'll do good. It'll take a while but it's entirely possible to pull down almost $6 figures.

Good idea Kearsey!

Picking up a loaded trailer of paper rolls, the trailer was too high to hook, so I had to crank the nose down.

This is what happens in tight docks when the other person isn't straight and in their lines.

Teamwork makes the dream work, outside Chicago. The blue truck struggled to get in, without a truck in my dock. She held my trailer door off her mirror when I was sneaking in.

Welcome!

In your situation, I would opt for company sponsored training. Most are 1 year contracts. Errol stated that some dock your pay to pay it back. Some do, some don't. Prime does not, but it is a one year contract.

You can wind up in a situation paying out of pocket where you have a CDL, but no experience, and some companies won't even bother looking at you. You set yourself up for a stale CDL situation, which can be worse than no CDL at all.

You would have to talk to a Prime recruiter to get the exact current training setup, but here is what they did for me:

Got invited to orientation. This is a really long job interview, testing your attitude and ability to follow rules, regulations, and instructions. They are also testing you to see if you lied by omission on your application.

Orientation for me started on a Monday. I was cleared for PSD training (you're in the program now!) by Tuesday at 5pm. Wednesday 7am I met with my trainer. I was trained on the pad instead of OTR, so I was in a hotel the whole time.

Day 15, the first day I was eligible, I tested and nailed all three segments of the skills test on the first try. Once I passed that, I was walked into the office, to fill out the paperwork making me officially an employee of Prime, and in the TNT portion of training. That was May 2021. I was on my trainers truck until I was brought in for upgrade July 26 2021. It took longer than some, because we drove our tails off, but he took three total weeks home time during my training. I was paid for all of my TNT time.

I took my first solo run Aug 8th 2021. Like anything in trucking, your experience may vary.

You CAN be successful, if you are willing to humble yourself, ditch the ego, and work your behind off.