Ready To Move America 2016
Topic 14506 | Page 1
Unless you're worried about a jinx, tell us what company you really want to drive for. Maybe other company drivers are on this forum.
Unless you're worried about a jinx, tell us what company you really want to drive for. Maybe other company drivers are on this forum.
No jynx fear here. I was trying to get into Knight training school. They denied my application so I went to Prime Inc. I have been pretty busy since my initial comment. So I took Walmart on wheels (Greyhound) to Prime Inc in MO. That in itself was an ordeal, 32 hours of pain. Once I got to Prime, it was smooth sailing. They put me up in one of their rooms. They bought a hotel and made it into dorms for students and other drivers. Fed me from day one until I got onto truck with a trainer. Of course I have to pay it all back but I only had to pay less than $200 out of pocket to get started. fast forward to today. I am a Class A CDL driver with tanker and hazmat!! I am on my 4th week of OTR team driving and half way through the 30000 miles I need to complete in order to upgrade to an A seat driver to get my own truck. Which brings me here. To Lease with Prime or not to Lease and stay on as a company driver. Of all the people I spoke to it has been 50/50 yes and hell no.
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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Look here. I say HELL NO!
And congratulations.
50/50? Not here. Do not even consider leasing until you have a year of experience as a company driver.
It is difficult enough learning all of the ins and outs of this business during your first year without compounding it by also running your own business.
...and yes congratulations!
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Here is how I started a letter to a company that offers training:
I have been looking into over the road trucking lifestyle for a few years now and have considered this life to be a good fit for me. I have been to websites like truckingtruth.com, video blogs of other truckers and have seen the good and bad...My Job as a property appraiser has provided me with the opportunity to speak with trucking employees and with owner/operators and I like the positives as the few negative points are not enough to persuade me otherwise. Away from home and family for weeks at a time is a great sacrifice that i am willing to make for a while since to me, the benefits outweigh the sacrifice. The benefits and incentives your company offers are far better than other company sponsored programs that I have done research on over the years. For most of my working life I have worked outside as a construction worker, delivery driver, obstacle race builder (think of Spartan Race or Tough Mudder) that has travelled all over this county,...My current job is a great job with great benefits but I have found myself at a crossroads. The pay is not enough to provide my children the lifestyle they deserve.
I am highly motivated and have already studied for my CDL and passed all of the practice tests.(Thanks to truckingtruth.com)...
I'll post the complete letter once I get on with this company. So far Prime Inc has accepted my application along with FFE out of Texas. But the company I want to start my career with just notified me that they like my letter and want me to fill out an application with them. That is my next step. Wish me luck and I wish you all great success! This is not for everyone but passion for helping to move America helps alot. In my lifetime I have learned that passion is a better driver towards success than the hunt for more money. I've learned that money follows passion and not the other way around. I am ready to accept that the first few years for most drivers will not make great money, are you? If you are then you have already planned for it and will be a great success.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.