What Was Key To Making The Jump?

Hello to all, I remember reading a very lengthy post on here about what people did before they did trucking. That would be great if it could be reposted. More than anything I'm interested in what made you personally decide to take the leap and just do it. Rainy (apologies if I misspelled your name) Your background story peaked my interest as I will be turning 41 this year and thinking that it is also time for a change in career. Why did the company training appeal to you? Was there a straw that broke the camels back moment? If anyone started this as a single parent I would love to hear from you as well. (I do have help, so not alone.)

Hey Missnobody - here is the thread you're talking about:

What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?

Hello to all, I remember reading a very lengthy post on here about what people did before they did trucking. That would be great if it could be reposted. More than anything I'm interested in what made you personally decide to take the leap and just do it. Rainy (apologies if I misspelled your name) Your background story peaked my interest as I will be turning 41 this year and thinking that it is also time for a change in career. Why did the company training appeal to you? Was there a straw that broke the camels back moment? If anyone started this as a single parent I would love to hear from you as well. (I do have help, so not alone.)

I'm presently on my hometime. As you can see, I live in Chesapeake VA as well. If you have questions, or would like to see one of Prime's trucks up close, let me know.

Ernie

And I park mine in VA Beach occasionally when I'm on hometime if you want to check out a different truck.

Rainy (apologies if I misspelled your name) Your background story peaked my interest as I will be turning 41 this year and thinking that it is also time for a change in career. Why did the company training appeal to you? Was there a straw that broke the camels back moment? If anyone started this as a single parent I would love to hear from you as well. (I do have help, so not alone.)

Hi...first change that name to Miss Somebody hahahha

I went with company training for a couple reasons

1) There was only $155 upfront cost at Prime. plus they paid for my transportation, meals, and hotel for orientation. In additiion they advanced me $200 a week for food. As long as i srayed with Prime for one year, i paid nothing towards school. i cant believe im going on 3 years..it flies!

2) Prime does it differently than other companies. I did not share a truck on a pad with 4 other people. I went out one on one with a trainer making deliveries OTR with my permit. Not only did it give me real world experience but put me in different weather, geography, traffic patterns and times of day that a normal school cannot provide. it gave me way more experience before i took my CDL exam. It was a great way to see trucking life up close.

3) Friends told me Prime would give me additional practice to get me to pass the test if i struggled, and struggle i did. True to form, i was given the best backing instructor and nailed that test. then failed twice on the road test cause i was nervous and kept popping the clutch too fast and stalling it.

As far as that camel...well...I once loved my job but change of management and a Draconian atmosphere descended upon the place. I felt as though i was drowning and rarely went to work anymore. I met a guy who drove tanker and he encouraged me to go to Prime. I was so miserable, and i felt trapped. One day i walked out and never went back. i had missed so much work over the last couple of years, i was nearly bankrupt, but couldnt afford it. it was really hard for me to work for people who knew so little about procedures, and i often had to argue to do things the right way. i got tired of arguing.

My brother laughs at me now cause i went from a job i hated and never went to, to a job i love and never leave. Its not that i do not love the people or have fond memories...i do. Heck, i even wrote a hysterically funny book about the USPS and our antics. However, i longed for the nostalgia of a better time, but those days and people were long gone. so were the high standards and strong work ethic embraced when i had started.

In trucking, i dont have to be surrounded by poor work ethics or attitudes. i make money as a hard worker, yet still do what i want. i dont feel trapped, and im.never ever disrespected like i was in my postal job. Im constantly getting awarda and praise. Heck, im even guaranteed thanksgiving christmas and my birthday off... i just have to ask. it took me SIX years to get Christmas Day off and after 18 years i was still forced thanksgiving, new years eve/day, christmas eve...and every birthday (4th of july weekend). If im tired and want some "me time" i tell my FM i want to be off for a 34 break and go shopping, get a hotel, grab an uber or rental car. I still have that East Coast ready to fight attitude and get confused when i dont ever have to use it.

i dont have that "oh my god its monday" feeling, cause at any time i can tell my FM i want time after the next load so my work week is really only as long as my current load. i decide when to break, lunch, shower etc. heck, sometimes i can even decide where i want to go for pickups and deliveries.

Our support staff is well trained, but even if i have to deal with a newbie..i usually just tell them what i am doing. "Trailer tire issue, heading for.repairs" "Putting truck in shop, need to get to terminal".

i am never questioned. i get "10/4 thanks" to almost all of my requests. But that is earned as Old School just discussed in his latest article.

Training is harder than anyone expects but it is very very temporary.

Now...the parent thing...that is another issue. i have no kids. How old are you talking? You will be in training for at least a couple.months and home time is limited then. i know women who came through did their year and went home for local jobs after the contract was up.

heres a couple links to articles i wrote you might be interested in...

Sexism in Trucking

Rainys articles on Trucking

Good Luck!!! You found an awesome site with a huge amount of support!!!

Hello to all, I remember reading a very lengthy post on here about what people did before they did trucking. That would be great if it could be reposted. More than anything I'm interested in what made you personally decide to take the leap and just do it. Rainy (apologies if I misspelled your name) Your background story peaked my interest as I will be turning 41 this year and thinking that it is also time for a change in career. Why did the company training appeal to you? Was there a straw that broke the camels back moment? If anyone started this as a single parent I would love to hear from you as well. (I do have help, so not alone.)

I'm presently on my hometime. As you can see, I live in Chesapeake VA as well. If you have questions, or would like to see one of Prime's trucks up close, let me know.

Ernie

Funny that your name is Old Salty Dog, I'm currently on a ship now (Civmar) and have been looking at this path for awhile. I'm in the deep creek area but only home every so often...trucking would actually get me home more and I can take my kids and pets. LOL!

Funny that your name is Old Salty Dog, I'm currently on a ship now (Civmar) and have been looking at this path for awhile. I'm in the deep creek area but only home every so often...trucking would actually get me home more and I can take my kids and pets. LOL!

I live in Deep Creek as well (Culpepper Landing). I live in the apartments to the left as you come into Culpepper Landing.

Ernie

Thanks for letting me know about the training. I was debating about going back to the same school I went to before or just diving in head first. From what you explained it sounds more real world and not a bad deal if you stick it out. I know that the rule of thumb is to do a year at a company and then move on if you like. I like the fact that they have different divisions as well. When do they start the clock on the employment? Would that be day one of your training or after you are solo in a truck? I'm in a government position right now, fairly a new thing, but I waited years to get it thinking it was something else. Once I get here the job itself is not what I thought at all and the pay is not worth the sacrifice from home all the time. Being a worker bee in a government position is an oxymoron in itself, and honestly it's driving me a bit crazy. Some have told me "easy money", but that is not the reason I came. I was looking for more responsibility, more independence, to move up in a job because my last one I was stuck unless I wanted to move to a new state. And lastly, to do something different but the same field--I work in supply/logistics/transportation. My kids are 11, and 15, and I like the option that I can take them with me on occasion and even my pets.

Thank you for letting me know about the time away part---it seems as though they will take care of you as long as you take care of them--that's to be appreciated. (Something else I had wondered about) From reading other posts of yours it seems as long as you get the job done they leave you alone--I'm not one to be baby sat and completely loathe those who do that to me. I figured that if you hired me to be an adult and do a job you should treat me like one and leave me alone, if I have questions I will come to you.

You are granted employment once you get the CDL. So figure a week of orientation, a week or two on the road and the time it takes to test out. From that day you get $700 per day gtoss.

The pet deposit is $1000 for ONE pet limit under 30 pounds at Prime. other companies have other restrictions.

im not sure of the rider policy although i know we have one. Turtle can probably answer that.

be sure to read Bretts book though. This is like nothing else you will ever experience.

yeah no one bothers me. But keep in mind that took a few months. My FM is hands off....but the occasional weekend guy would questiion me. I swear there is now a note on my file saying "Dont bother this chick, shes scary" lol

From that day you get $700 per day gtoss.

We all know how Rainy loves Prime, but I think she's stretching that a little. Don't expect to get 700 bucks a day! I'd expect that number to be more like 700 dollars a week. We're truckers, not Bitcoin billionaires.