Profile For David L.

I just have a few questions before I make that call.

When you start training, how long till you start getting paid? While in school and riding with an instructor, how long till you get to come home? How much money should you bring with you when you leave for school?

My fear is that if the school and riding with a trainer is 8 weeks, I wont be able to come home for 2 months. I am ready to go forward in this new career path and want to get some things answered. I think I will get better answers from the ones who have gone through it than from the recruiter. From my experience, they will tell you anything to get you in the door.

Thanks

I appreciate all the advice. I think I am going to give Prime a call tmrw and see what they have to say. Then I will go to the DMV here in TN and get my permit. I am looking over the materials here on the forum and preparing myself for all the tests. I will be studying them up till I leave out.

Thanks again for everything.

If I went with a company paid training then I wouldnt drive with him. I just thought it would be a good way to get the experience. After reading Randy J's diary, I am thinking about just getting my permit and going with Prime. So far thats the best training company I have read on the forums.

Still reading though. Trying to find what the pay is like while in training and driving with an instructor and also what it is when you get your own truck. I tried looking on primes website but didnt see anything about the pay.

I have been following Randy J's diary about his experience with Prime (which is very good) and I was talking to my sister who's husband is a driver. She was telling me it is better to get your cdl and drive with someone instead of going to a company training.

My question is, Would it be better to go to a school like Prime to get my CDL and get my training and experience that way or go ahead and get my CDL and go out with my brother in law for a few months and then try to get a job to get into my own truck?

I would rather "partner" with my brother in law because I know him and we get along. Just not sure if that would be the best route to go. Looking for any advice or words of wisdom from members who have been in the business.

Thanks

I guess I am just a bit worried about starting something new. The feeling of knowing I will have a massive vehicle that is under my total control is a bit over whelming. Like I have mentioned, I have been out on quite a few runs with my brother in law (he actually did let me drive for about 100 miles, from rest area to rest area) so it was all freeway miles but it was a fun experience.

My other concern is getting into schooling and having to sit there forever until I can get out on my own. I am skiddish to having a trainer who isnt "like me" for example, I have heard stories about trainers who dont like to stop for showers, dont like to stop for bathroom breaks. I do not want to get stuck with one of them types.

I am a recently laid off web designer and at the age of 37 I am going to be honest and say I am a bit nervous to actually go for it. I know I wont have any issues when it comes to the driving part but I know it will be a whole new world compared to what I am used to. Not being home but 2 days every 2 weeks would be a downfall having 2 young children, That would take a while to get used to. Also coming from a small town in TN, I would be a nervous wreck if they sent me to say NYC.. I dont handle going through Nashville in a SUV to well, I would hate to see it in NYC with a semi.

I think I am going to take your advice though and get everything going as far as getting my permit and everything. Maybe go have a few more talks with my uncle who was actually a trainer back in his day. And when and if the time comes, I will take the plunge and just go for it. There wouldnt be nothing like going down the road and getting paid to see the country.

This thread has helped me so much. I was recently laid off as a web designer and I cannot find work anywhere. I was talking to my uncle over the holiday weekend and he told me I should check out truck driving. I used to have a CDL B when I was younger and have drove passenger with my brother in law a few times, so I was looking for good trucking schools and came across this thread.

I think I might just give Prime a chance.

Thanks for such a detailed thread. Good luck and be safe.