Questions From A Total Noob
Topic 33506 | Page 2
Hey Charles, I completely agree with Errol's comments about the major carriers being more than just "starter companies." I am starting my 9th year with Knight, and they have been more than wonderful to me. They even gave me a year of medical leave while I was getting some medical issues dealt with. They wanted me to come back that bad. They kept me listed as an employee and kept my insurance current. That is unheard of in this industry! When I returned they even kept my seniority for me on the dedicated account I serve.
Here's a great podcast that discusses this subject of Major Carriers Being More Than Just Starter Companies.
Thanks for the valuable feedback, guys. Just to clarify, I do not view Knight or Prime simply as starter companies. I meant no disrespect. I only meant that they seem like quality companies that actually hire new drivers with no experience... They just aren't the company that I would ultimately like to work for. As far as I understand it, I will need a minimum of 1 year OTR experience before GP Transco will even take the time to acknowledge my existence. For the record, my plans are definitely subject to change as I gain experience and become more familiar with the industry.
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.
Fwiw, I've worked for Knight since I got started with them. They have been wonderful to me as well. I'm currently on a dedicated account that pays 90 to 104k, depending on how much i work, annually while keeping me home daily wile working 7 to 9 hpurs a day.
CPM isn't all of the equation. I'm currently making the same cpm as i do OTR , it's the ancillary pay and bonuses that make up the rest. I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity without performing and communicating well. It's really all about the foundation you build in ypur career and how you maintain your relationships with your company. You may find that what you want changes as you grow in the industry. I'd just concentrate on being the best you can and see what opportunities come with whichever company you go with.
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.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Quote "Pay attention in the pre-trip classes. The people in DMV/Fontana tend to be a bit strict
And that is FACT ! lol I tried 4 times there, with 1st local to me, "school", I wasted months at.... San Bernardino County, WIOA paid for that. 2 times it was the test truck that failed,(with a bad air governor) school didn't keep em up very good. 1 of 2 test trucks were always broken down from a bad DEF system/filter clogging up.
So being there @ DMV so much, watching em do the in-cab, outside inspections. More people took the "Walk of Shame" as I called it, back to the building, after failing !!........Almost seemed the testers were having a game of, who can fail the most per day lol.
I gave up and went with CRST, in Riverside, Ca.where we got bussed daily to Fontana, to the actual school they contracted with. They no longer do that, and hire "experienced" drivers, as I've been told by a couple friends still driving for them.......Aside from teaming, it was not bad at all there, and I had my DL in 10 days at that school (They tested there, not at the DMV)
WIOA:
WIOA - Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (aka WIA)
Formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the WIOA was established in 1998 to prepare youth, adults and dislocated workers for entry and reentry into the workforce. WIOA training funds are designed to serve laid-off individuals, older youth and adults who are in need of training to enter or reenter the labor market. A lot of truck drivers get funding for their CDL training through WIOA.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
(They tested there, not at the DMV)
My company also tested off-site, using a nearby movie theater parking lot for our pre-trip and backing tests, administered by a guy in the safety department who had no involvement training us. For me personally I felt like not being at the DMV to test took some pressure off.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Hello everyone! Sorry for the late reply. I've had a busy couple of days.
Thank you for the heads up on pre trip inspection! I've been obsessively reading over it every chance I get. It's also come to my attention that California recently updated their policy on the test, and they now include a checklist in the CMV Operator handbook which testers are permitted to have with them during the test- so long as there's no writing on it. I plan to have this checklist for reference but my goal is to be prepared to knock the pre trip out of the park without using the checklist.
Once again, I really appreciate all of the valuable feedback!
If possible, I would like to know more opinions on Prime Inc. They seem to have the highest pay rate for rookie drivers, and their benefits sound pretty nice. They've also got a terminal within a reasonable commute of my home so I won't need to relocate. I'm following a couple of their driver trainers on YouTube, and it's seeming more and more like a fantastic company.
I hope you all have a great day! Be safe out there!
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Prime Inc is a great company. If you can get on with them it’s a no-brainer, go for it.
Kersey, one of the mods, is a long time Prime driver. Have you checked out her videos?
In my driving experience, I have a great deal of respect for Prime. Trust me, I pass them all the time.
Yes! I've been following Kearsey on YouTube for awhile now.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
They've also got a terminal within a reasonable commute of my home so I won't need to relocate.
Does Prime have an actual terminal in Southern California now? I know we had a drop yard there when I was with Prime (I think it was in Ontario?) but I think the nearest terminal is Salt Lake City. That's where you'll most likely go through orientation.
It really doesn't matter though bc for many drivers a terminal near home doesn't make much of a difference.
However... It might help to have a drop yard/terminal near home if you need to drop a trailer before taking home time. That way you can bobtail home. It may also help if you need to drop or pick up repowered loads.
Fun fact: I think San Bernardino County is 2½ times bigger than the entire state I live in😲
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.
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Charles might be misinformed:
Charles,
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "STARTER" OR "TRAINING" TRUCKING COMPANY.
The dream of Knight, Prime, Swift, Schneider and all the others is for you to hire and retire with them. Sure, some companies are partial to hiring experienced drivers, and the search for the "experience tree" continues to this day. So from day one*, do your best to make your right decision on choosing the "right" trucking company for you.
* That would be today.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.