Going From Bus Driver To Truck Driver?
Topic 18792 | Page 1
Sounds like I just left the same city as you driving a bus, I am in the PSD phase through Prime, truck is down so we haven't actually left yet but I just left a city bus job with UTA out of SLC, I was nervous as hell leaving what I had and my seniority in the board but so far this looks like it will go well. I'm not sure of long term outcomes as I understand there are variables everywhere you turn your head but from what I'm gathering I will make about the same as I did on my bus if not more this first year. So we'll see. I'll let you know what happens for me this next few weeks and/or months as I'm now locked in and left my job and if you haven't left the bus hopefully what I find can help cuz literally I just did last week what you're talking about doing. Still scares the hell out of me though.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
Thank you...i keep hearing i can make over what im making now in just my first year, so if you can keep me updated that would be great. Money and benefits are my biggest concerns right now because i am the only income in my house and i dont want to put my wife and 2 kids in jeopardy
Sounds like I just left the same city as you driving a bus, I am in the PSD phase through Prime, truck is down so we haven't actually left yet but I just left a city bus job with UTA out of SLC, I was nervous as hell leaving what I had and my seniority in the board but so far this looks like it will go well. I'm not sure of long term outcomes as I understand there are variables everywhere you turn your head but from what I'm gathering I will make about the same as I did on my bus if not more this first year. So we'll see. I'll let you know what happens for me this next few weeks and/or months as I'm now locked in and left my job and if you haven't left the bus hopefully what I find can help cuz literally I just did last week what you're talking about doing. Still scares the hell out of me though.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
You'll be hard pressed to get benefits that compare to what you have now. Unions generally have darn good bennies at rates that most companies just can't match. Will you retain the pension you've already built up and can you move it would be another question (401k?). In regards to making just over 1k a week, that's definitely possible after a bit of experience and you might luck into a local position right away depending on where you're at.
You'll be hard pressed to get benefits that compare to what you have now. Unions generally have darn good bennies at rates that most companies just can't match. Will you retain the pension you've already built up and can you move it would be another question (401k?). In regards to making just over 1k a week, that's definitely possible after a bit of experience and you might luck into a local position right away depending on where you're at.
My health benefits at Prime are comparable to what I had as a federal employee and after a year are half the price. We have the same exact vision and dental plans. Plus my disability here is dirt cheap....like $10 a week or something...as opposed to $300 per month. The 401k isn't bad either.
As far as pay....here's my first year and compared it with the first several weeks of the new year...
You'll be hard pressed to get benefits that compare to what you have now. Unions generally have darn good bennies at rates that most companies just can't match. Will you retain the pension you've already built up and can you move it would be another question (401k?). In regards to making just over 1k a week, that's definitely possible after a bit of experience and you might luck into a local position right away depending on where you're at.
My health benefits at Prime are comparable to what I had as a federal employee and after a year are half the price. We have the same exact vision and dental plans. Plus my disability here is dirt cheap....like $10 a week or something...as opposed to $300 per month. The 401k isn't bad either.
As far as pay....here's my first year and compared it with the first several weeks of the new year...
I guess it depends on the union really. When I was an Ironworker, our insurance was ridiculously cheap with excellent coverage, like $100 a month cheap.
Yeah it's scary leaving the pension behind. That and the medical(free prescriptions and doctors cuz UTA had their own that are very very qualified) was an issue but I've since come to terms, I will say that after having left Salt Lake with the trainer and driving to twin falls where we are now loading was amazing, I very much so enjoyed it. Like it was just awesome. I already think I enjoy it more than driving my bus and driving the bus the most fun I've ever had. So I'll keep you updated and bump the post from time to time to let you know where I'm at. Prime seems to be fantastic, and my trainer is sick. We get along great.
Seems like you are in a very good positiom right now and life is going great.
Why jeopartize that?
I'll give ya short and sweet....IMO stay where you are. You have rank, good pay, your established and most of all you have already done your time in the trenches. Don't get me wrong, I love the industry BUT so much of it just isn't what it was..... truly you have it just as good where you are.....IMO
On the other hand, its easy for some one to say to stay. After 18 years in the USPS, I cried going to work, called out as much as possible and hated my life. Yeah I made a decent pay. Yeah I had a pension eventually (cause even after 18 yes I still had to work like another 15 or so). But i was absolutely miserable with the way I was treated.
The difference is day and night. Now I live at my job and my bro laughs cause in went from a job I avoided to a job I never leave or go home.
You have to figure out what would make you happy. If routine is important, trucking might not be for you. I have no idea what time I will driving and in what direction but other than that I have an abundance of freedom....including freedom from aggravation.
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Right now i drive a city bus with the top pay at $25.50, a union, full benefits, and a pension. If i went into the trucking industry looking to get a local job after some experience, would i make good money. I always loved trucks and eventually want to get my own truck and start a business with my wife. I guess im nervous to take that first initial leap. I know With sucess comes sacrifice, but i want to know if its worth it?