Prime CDL Training
Topic 22982 | Page 4
Donna, thank you for the tips. I have a Bluetooth headset that I bought a few years ago on the advice from an ex and, yes, I have the charger for it. I’m taking as little as possible with me, I don’t want to have to lug it all over the Greyhound terminals every time I have a layover or change buses. I don’t do makeup so I’m good there. Already have a hair dryer but I’m seriously thinking about getting most of my hair cut off so I can just wash my hair and go. We’ll see. I need to buy gloves and sun glasses. I have a good pair of tennis shoes and I’m looking for some comfortable boots. I always keep Aleve or Excedrin with me.
I’m glad you’re doing so well. I enjoy your updates. When will you take your CDL test?
Have a great evening!
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.
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.
G Town I have learned more things than u could have ever imagined some simple things like keep your foot on the brakes it will roll. How to open the back doors and chain, how to open the hood I’m only 5’3. Swing wide, go all the way out, how to hook up, how to unhook, how to slide the tandems , how to operate the refrigerator unit, how to call dispatch, lumpers and trailer washes, stay out express lanes , don’t pull into cash lane at toll booths , weigh stations, learn to understand the lady on quailcom, how to go on duty, off, sleeper, driving and probably a thousand more things but the one thing that I know by now is watch the ass end of that trailer.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
That’s great, really glad to hear it. Good start, it’s only the beginning though, tip of the iceberg.
Continued safe travels; best of luck and “Watch your Wagon”.
While it's true you need to study the entire Pre Trip, you will most definitely be tested on the Couplingc, lights and the In Cab to include the Three part Air Test.
Then you will have to cover one the remaining four. However it is possible that you may draw the entire Pre Trip.
Even the examiner won't know until you actually step up.
Most people trip up on the In Cab, specifically the Three air break test.
So give that area extra, extra attention.
You can't start working on this soon enough
Thanks, Dan. I’m still going through my flash cards with the PTI sections and language as well as reading the posts on here and still going through the High Road program. Lots to learn.
I’m still waiting to hear back from my recruiter before I put in my notice at work. Hopefully I will hear from him today.
Donna, you just started this a few short weeks ago and now look at you! 😁
Keep up the good work and good luck on your CDL test!
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.
I have a couple of those as well...the laptop also has a USB port so it can charge that way worse comes to worse. :)
Ah yes, they have Wi-Fi, but your going to need a regular household charger to charge your phone. As they don't have a USB connection on the bus.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Well, I resubmitted my application today (within the three week window of orientation) and I’ve heard back from my recruiter. He said he should know by this afternoon whether it’s a go for August 20. He also said looking at the application and work history there should not be a problem. So, my plan is to turn in my notice this week at my current job, make sure I have all my paperwork in order, then get on the bus the 18th.
My recruiter is going to put me in contact with the company that handles Prime’s sleep study (Cardinal) since I can’t seem to get my pulmonologist to send me my sleep study report that I had done less than three years ago. I use my CPAP every night so they can, hopefully, get a compliance report from the memory card in my machine.
Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know what has been going on.
Be safe!
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
It's all exciting isn't it! 
Prepare yourself for some trials and surprises, it's going to happen. Just hang in there and stay in touch here with us, you're going to be just fine.
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Donna learned something...
Although true, what else did you learn?