22 Year Old From NJ
Topic 6901 | Page 1
Johnathan, we've had a lot of people in this forum go through the Company-Sponsored Training at Prime. You can find a good bit of information on them and several other training programs by following that link. They are one of the highest paying training companies that I know of. Our own "Daniel B." works there and, like you, he started out his career when he was only 22.
I'm hoping he will jump in here with some words of wisdom for you. I know he's real busy these days but maybe he'll get some time soon to say hello.
Welcome to the forum, and if you like reading about this stuff make sure you check out our Truck Driver's Career Guide. You'll also enjoy Brett's Book, it's a free online version, and sure to inspire you to want to continue your pursuit of this rewarding career. Brett started out fairly young also.
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.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Johnathan, we've had a lot of people in this forum go through the Company-Sponsored Training at Prime. You can find a good bit of information on them and several other training programs by following that link. They are one of the highest paying training companies that I know of. Our own "Daniel B." works there and, like you, he started out his career when he was only 22.
I'm hoping he will jump in here with some words of wisdom for you. I know he's real busy these days but maybe he'll get some time soon to say hello.
Welcome to the forum, and if you like reading about this stuff make sure you check out our Truck Driver's Career Guide. You'll also enjoy Brett's Book, it's a free online version, and sure to inspire you to want to continue your pursuit of this rewarding career. Brett started out fairly young also.
Old school, thank you for the warm reply. I already signed up for prime
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.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I have been summoned! For once I am useful!
I started driving at age 21 actually, not 22.
It's not easy getting started in this industry. You will get poked at by other drivers because of your age. "Are you even old enough to be driving?" is a common question in my world.
The truth is that young guys are simply immature and irresponsible. And in this job theres no messing around. The small things can be destructive when you're dealing with these monstrous vehicles. So before you begin, make sure you're mentally prepared. Take it seriously.
Prime is a good company, but so are all the others. Prime pays more, but you sacrifice comfort. They put you in a smaller truck called a lightweight truck. For more information about LW trucks check out my thread below.
Very nice post Daniel! How long did it take for a recruiter to contact you? I already filled the application and put email as preffered method of contact. which I think was a mistake
Very nice post Daniel! How long did it take for a recruiter to contact you? I already filled the application and put email as preffered method of contact. which I think was a mistake
Don't wait for them to contact you. You contact them. Be a pest, make sure they know you want the opportunity. The best time to call them is 0701 mountain time.
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hello fellow truckers. i'm a 22 year old from NJ who has worked various types of job most recent being a seasonal UPS part time but lately i've been reading and very interested in the trucking business after talking to various drivers at UPS. the thing is i am currently unemployed and im very much looking to get into one of these CDL company programs. As a 22 year old with no real responsibilites or bills, i would like to know some experienced opinions on this and which company is more suited for me. also, being alone for long periods of time is no problem for me as it is something I enjoy.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: