Profile For Melissa J.

Any updates William? When is your test? Wishing you nothing but the best, and looking forward to updates. You've got this!

Yes, invaluable for sure! I'm still in the "Yes I want to do this, yes I'm going to do this, but have so much studying and research to do phase" I didn't think dedicated routes were available for newer drivers. Home every weekend? That sounds pretty great if the money is still pretty good. But flatbed pays more anyways, so I'm sure it equals out? Not sure I'm up for flatbed, seems like it's much more physically demanding, not in my 20s anymore 😅

Thanks a ton for the update Victor, it really helps with the motivation for me to get going on this.

Stay safe out there!

You're fine, Victor~!! Thanks for the update, coming along great!

Just bounce in, on occasion; as time permits. These diaries are invaluable to future readers/drivers and are SO MUCH appreciated!

Carry on, good sir & thanks!

~ Anne ~

Hello Brian! What a rough start! Getting all the bad luck out of the way early I see! 😉 Your beginning story seems so much like my own, except my kids are adults now, and not married...so I don't have anything holding me back. I don't have family that are truckers, and never had experience pulling trailers. I'm still doing my research and studying for the permit, so I'll be really looking forward to your updates! You've got this!

Which I can't say that I'm all too disappointed 🤣 Driving a stick is a lot of unnecessary work, Id rather not have a bad knee in a few years from clutchin if I can help it lol

Welcome! Autos is wave of the future and as new driver the companies that will hire you and you will work for over the next 1-2 years will have you in an auto. You can always go back and “upgrade” to a manual.

Don’t get sucked into “real truckers drive a stick” times are changing rapidly…and truckers are headed to autos and electric logs - ❤️🙏🏼🤣

A trucker friend of mine says not to get an automatic restriction, that even though most companies are going with automatics, that it will really **** me later on, having to go back through training to get manual training without restrictions. (He makes around 120k-160k a year and gets a ton of home time, some company out of Portland, wants to get me in there someday)

Do any of these 3 companies let you train and test out on a manual? Are there any other comparable companies I should look into? Thanks again guys :)

Thanks guys :) I was up at the cabin past few days, don't get internet up there. I have lots to think about over the next few weeks, along with studying for my permit... while my transplant heals up. Thanks again everyone, stay safe out there

A trucker friend of mine says not to get an automatic restriction, that even though most companies are going with automatics, that it will really **** me later on, having to go back through training to get manual training without restrictions. (He makes around 120k-160k a year and gets a ton of home time, some company out of Portland, wants to get me in there someday)

Do any of these 3 companies let you train and test out on a manual? Are there any other comparable companies I should look into? Thanks again guys :)

Jim Palmer has been another company I've been checking out, if anyone has any experience with them. I haven't heard of anyone going through them yet, no personal experience.

I've been following a few different diaries, most recently Nathan's, seeming I'm from Michigan also, if I go through cfi I would be following his path going through Trainco in Ohio. I do like how prime keeps you at one place through the whole training, with having the simulators to practice on. But also seems CFI is on top of getting you a trainer and into a truck quicker. I know Prime gives you a $200 advance each week in training, which could be very helpful. Both company's pay for housing and meals. Money will be tight for the 1st month, comparing out of pocket expenses would be very helpful. Being comfortable in a decent home away from home for the duration of my employment is pretty important, I'm almost 6 ft tall so having a little room is a bonus. I'm planning on taking a small non- shedding dog with me on the road when it's allowed. I see both company's allow for this... not sure on the fees/deposits at CFI, but Prime requires a $1k deposit. And then of course the pay, it seems Prime pays a little more. A video I watched, Trucking with Dave, said CFI had an increase in pay 6 months ago, 42cpm I believe? (Correct me if I'm wrong, been on information overload lately) Prime has fuel and safety bonuses, I believe CFI only has safety bonuses, correct? Looking at roughly 40k the 1st year with both company's? Some things aren't too important, but outweighing pros and cons can be a little confusing at 1st, knowing where will be a good fit. I've been blind in one eye for almost 30 years, to the point it was normal for me. So when I decided over a year ago on this career choice, I realized I needed a cornea transplant 1st. The thought of having my eye cut off and a donor stitched on has kept me from doing it my entire life. But this has been too important for me, so I had the surgery. So I've already overcame something I never thought I'd be able to do, and failing now is not an option for me, I've already came too far. I really appreciate the time helping me sort all this out!

I'm still doing my research on what beginner company I want to go with, and love the reviews TT has for each company. But not seeing one for CFI? I've been pretty satisfied with what I've heard about Prime, but would like to compare the two. Is CFI listed here under another name? Has anyone else debated between the two? Thanks for your time :)

Hello again :) Thanks for all the info Anne, and for the update Victor! So glad to hear you're still doing great... seems like having the right trainer can really make or break you from what I've been reading lately.

I have seen some of Kearseys videos, and actually hope I get her for a trainer 😂 She seems like a lot of fun, and could learn a lot from her. I fully decided to make a career in trucking over a year ago, was scheduled to take the DOT exam when I realized I needed good vision in both eyes. After so many years I guess I forgot about my blind eye. So I pushed myself to get the transplant done (Something Ive been scared to death to do!) So I've already made the 1st huge scary step towards this career. So I'm learning as much as I can with all the downtime, this site seems to be great!🥰 I'll start my own diary when the time comes in a few weeks :) Thanks again!