Prime As A Way To Start
Topic 1221 | Page 1
Harry, I too am diabetic and on the pill. My surgar is about what yours is. If you haven't gotten your medical card they will issue you a one year as opposed to two years. I have been through 2 dot physicals for school etc and have passed them all just by being on medicine and really controlling my diet. You shouldn't have issues there.
As far as Prime goes, don't know much about them. Recruiter came and spoke to us at school, but he was an o/o and talked more about himself and how much he made than what it is like to drive for the company. Sorry I cant be of more help. God bless.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Welcome aboard Harry!
Prime is an excellent company to get started with. If you're planning on starting with Prime's Company-Sponsored Training Program they have a very thorough program. They also have great equipment, plenty of miles available, and one of the best pay packages in the industry for new drivers.
As far as their lightweight trucks - I think they only use them for regional fleets and I'm not sure if you'll be able to start in one of those fleets or not. We have a lot of drivers that drive for Prime and they'll be here before too long to give you more specifics. But you'll make another 5 cents per mile in the lightweight trucks I believe but you'll have a lot less room inside. That's the tradeoff.
As long as your Diabetes doesn't require insulin shots you're ok. But keep a close eye on it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Harry,
I am a current driver for Prime & also went through the training program they offer.
Miles are about 2300 - 2500 per week.
Any questions, please let me know. Will do my best to answer. Best bet is to send a personal message.
I started out as a company driver, then switched to lease. I know, Brett does not recommend leasing. But I will tell you, it is not for everyone. My situation is a lot different from most folks, if you want more info, let me know. Will do my best to explain.
Ernie
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Hello all I have a question for the fellow truckers out there. I am in the process of getting my permit to drive for Prime. I find myself at 57 having to start a brand new career. With that being said what incite can you give into starting with Prime verses another of the company's. Also I am diabetic on the pill with blood sugar about 170. And would it be better to start with their mid trucks verses the larger ones?