So Long Prime, Hello WW Transport

Turned my truck in at Springfield just over a week ago. Had orientation at WW's terminal in Newton NC last Monday. No Greyhound for this one... They rented a car for me to drive to Newton and had a hotel room for me. Orientation consisted of myself and the terminal manager going over company policies, filling out paperwork, and learning how to use their Peoplenet system which is similar to Qualcomm. Then it was off to the detail shop in Charlotte to get my truck, a Freightliner Columbia glider kit with under 50,000 miles since a complete rebuild. 13 speed and no DEF system!! I am now on my 2nd trip for them sitting in Sturgis MI waiting for a load of potatoes bound for Perry FL. Got to say I like the company so far. 1/10th the size of Prime but with better benefits and better company driver pay. Very laid back, they just want the job done. One final thought... This truck has no OnGuard system, lane departure warning, rollover prevention system, collision management system, tire pressure monitoring system.... It has brakes, steering wheel, and cruise control. My focus on the road has been laser sharp compared to in the Prime truck where there was always something buzzing or beeping at me, or where a new display of some kind was always popping up. I will drive 3 hours before I even realize I haven't turned on the radio. Makes me wonder if all that safety technology is more of a distraction than a safety factor.

Congrats on the new gig.

How long were you with Prime? Any particular reason why you left? You left under good terms I hope (gave notice, returned truck to terminal , cleaned it out, etc.)?

Interesting that they do a Glider kit. These tend to be somewhat less expensive than new rigs - and don't have all the nasty emissions gear that tends to get mucked up.

Glider Kits 101 - OOIDA

But depending on the motor, if you don't have a DPF (and other stuff) you might not be able to legally go into Kalifornia with it. Smaller companies may not have an issue with avoiding Cali, bigger companies will. You also may have issues IDLING - if you don't have a "Clean Idle Sticker" on the rig. Does it have an APU?

I have a lot of similar safety equipment on my 2016 Honda Pilot 4-wheeler. Having it jam on the brakes when it feels like it - can range from annoying to downright dangerous. But is has saved my butt once or twice.

Statistically - all this onboard safety gear has made accident rates go down, and lessened the severity of the ones that do occur. Annoying as all the beeps and flashes are.

Best of luck in the future - keep us posted how it goes. They obviously only hire with experience. How much experience do they require?

Regards,

Rick

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OOIDA:

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

Who They Are

OOIDA is an international trade association representing the interests of independent owner-operators and professional drivers on all issues that affect truckers. The over 150,000 members of OOIDA are men and women in all 50 states and Canada who collectively own and/or operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks and small truck fleets.

Their Mission

The mission of OOIDA is to serve owner-operators, small fleets and professional truckers; to work for a business climate where truckers are treated equally and fairly; to promote highway safety and responsibility among all highway users; and to promote a better business climate and efficiency for all truck operators.

TWIC:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.

Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Congrats on the new gig.

How long were you with Prime? Any particular reason why you left? You left under good terms I hope (gave notice, returned truck to terminal , cleaned it out, etc.)?

Interesting that they do a Glider kit. These tend to be somewhat less expensive than new rigs - and don't have all the nasty emissions gear that tends to get mucked up.

Glider Kits 101 - OOIDA

But depending on the motor, if you don't have a DPF (and other stuff) you might not be able to legally go into Kalifornia with it. Smaller companies may not have an issue with avoiding Cali, bigger companies will. You also may have issues IDLING - if you don't have a "Clean Idle Sticker" on the rig. Does it have an APU?

I have a lot of similar safety equipment on my 2016 Honda Pilot 4-wheeler. Having it jam on the brakes when it feels like it - can range from annoying to downright dangerous. But is has saved my butt once or twice.

Statistically - all this onboard safety gear has made accident rates go down, and lessened the severity of the ones that do occur. Annoying as all the beeps and flashes are.

Best of luck in the future - keep us posted how it goes. They obviously only hire with experience. How much experience do they require?

Regards,

Rick

Let me see if I can address all that! I was with Prime for just over 16 months. The money was getting thinner, and it seemed that the only runs I was getting were all NJ, PA, NH with rate exceptions. I had been hearing from other Prime drivers that they were making some changes on who moved what used to be good-paying loads, but not going to get into what could be rumors. I just know that my bottom line was getting lower. I left with notice and on good terms with an open invitation to return. I got my final load to Rogers AR and bobtailed to Springfield from there to return the truck. I cleaned her out and cleaned her up so hopefully they won't ding me for that. The future Mrs Roadie drove from South Carolina to pick me up. I drove back while she slept. Going to CA isn't an issue with WW's reefer division so no idle worries. Almost all of my loads will be between MI, FL, and NC with an occasional backhaul somewhere in between.

I can't argue the fact that the safety gear makes a difference. It saved me from putting my truck in the back seat of a minivan that cut in front of me and STOPPED to merge on 95 this summer. I just know that for myself, I am noticing that I spend more time looking further down the road in front of me now, and since I can run 71 mph in this truck I am able to go around potential problems more easily. Not sure about their other divisions ( dry bulk, flatbed, heavy haul) but WW's Reefer div wants 1 year experience.

Thanks for the good wishes - I will keep you all posted on how things go with the spud hauling!

Bobtail:

"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OOIDA:

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

Who They Are

OOIDA is an international trade association representing the interests of independent owner-operators and professional drivers on all issues that affect truckers. The over 150,000 members of OOIDA are men and women in all 50 states and Canada who collectively own and/or operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks and small truck fleets.

Their Mission

The mission of OOIDA is to serve owner-operators, small fleets and professional truckers; to work for a business climate where truckers are treated equally and fairly; to promote highway safety and responsibility among all highway users; and to promote a better business climate and efficiency for all truck operators.

Reefer:

A refrigerated trailer.

TWIC:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.

Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Good luck with the new gig.

and since I can run 71 mph in this truck I am able to go around potential problems more easily.

...or get in to them more quickly!

and since I can run 71 mph in this truck I am able to go around potential problems more easily.

...or get in to them more quickly!

That's what I was thinking.

So what you are saying is that you are going to laugh at me in my castrated truck as you fly by. Hahaa thanks

So what you are saying is that you are going to laugh at me in my castrated truck as you fly by. Hahaa thanks

At that speed he'll be giving most of us the cheese.

Old Roadie I know we are messin' with you a bit here, all in fun, but seriously be careful with all that unbridled horsepower. It's a different ball game ungoverned. Things can unravel a whole lot faster at 70, then they can at 60. I know you know this, but felt compelled to say it.

Best wishes for continued success and safe travels.

Old Roadie I know we are messin' with you a bit here, all in fun, but seriously be careful with all that unbridled horsepower. It's a different ball game ungoverned. Things can unravel a whole lot faster at 70, then they can at 60. I know you know this, but felt compelled to say it.

Best wishes for continued success and safe travels.

Thanks everyone for the good luck wishes and the giggles. I actually still spend most of my time in the right lane while supertruckers fly past at 80 plus. That's cool... They can find those speed traps for me. And since potato loads are usually maxed out, I need the extra horses and gears to drag myself uphill at 79,000+ gross weight. Now all you Prime folks.... I'll wave as I pass you!