Profile For Craig C.

I'm scheduled to be there on the 30th of orientation also.

"for orientation"..... Sorry about that.

I'm scheduled to be there on the 30th of orientation also.

Really nothing to add. The way you are going about it is exactly what I would tell you to do. Hopefully the recruiter will allow you to put off you date a week or so to get last minute issues resolved.

That is what I thought was the most intelligent thing to do. I will call the recruiter in the morning and get things pushed off so I can get all my documentation and issues they will be inquiring about resolved before I show up for orientation. I don't like going into a situation without having all my ducks in a row and having to shoot from the hip. Never have, never will. I'm only taking one bus ride up to Missouri. If they aren't cool with that, I'll call back the other companies that have contacted me in the interim and have told that I have had an offer from Prime. They have all said to call them if the Prime thing doesn't work out.

I have another issue that maybe one of you guys have dealt with and could give me a little direction. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP machine for several years. I tried to line up a sleep test, as I haven't had one in a while, with my doctor for the coming week but found out yesterday that I can't have one done until the 17th. I'm suppose to be in Missouri on the 16th to start orientation. I know Prime is big time on the sleep apnea but I'm concerned that they may want me to take sleep test and update my machine to a more current version when I do the DOT physical. At least that is what I can deduce from some of the other threads about this here on forum. I don't have a spare $600 to pay for the sleep test or over a thousand for a new machine once I'm there.

I can get my sleep test and updated machine, if needed, through my insurance at home for just copay's but I would have to delay my trip to orientation a week or two to accomplish that. I will give my recruiter a call on Monday and see if they have a problem with that. A. I don't have that kind of money, B. I only want to make one trip to Missouri via bus and C. I don't want to get sent home the day after I get there when this may be an issue I can resolve before I get there.

Any insight with this would be appreciated.

Well they accepted me and I will be on my way to Springfield, MO. a week from Saturday. I spoke with my recruiter concerning the notes and documentation I had to get from my doctors and will be seeing them the next few days tomorrow. I suppose if I can make it past the DOT doctors, I should be good to go. I'm really excited but a bit apprehensive at the same time. This will be a huge adjustment for my wife but she is strong and will deal with it.

I have been hitting the High Roads training material along with reading the CDL manual every day. Great stuff! I have the manual highlighted so much that is it more green than anything else. LOL!

WOW!!! That was quick! A lady from Prime contacted me today and is interested in having me in their training program. It is a good feeling that someone is interested in what you can offer. I talked to her about the few issues I have and she said that is not a problem just get the documentation from your doctor. Then I'm set.

If everything pans out, I'm suppose to be in Springfield, MO. for orientation on the 16th of this month. I'm pretty stoked and even more so when a steady paycheck starts showing up again even though I know that won't be for a while. At least the prospect is out there.

Thanks for the warm welcome and it's good to know that I'm not over the hill for this industry.

Another question. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure 10 years ago and have been on medication for it. It is now well regulated, in the normal range and isn't an issue anymore. Will this present a problem?

Thanks for the welcome, Woody. Your comments are reassuring. I know it will be a big change and I will have several more conversations with my wife about her being cool with this and me not being around for weeks at a time. I think that will be the biggest change she will have to get use to.

I just found this website a few days ago as I'm looking to get into driving. Work in my area has slowed up to a crawl with few prospects and I need to keep the roof over the heads of my wife and dogs. I have been looking in the classified ads in towns around me and truck driving jobs are the most prevalent. My younger brother has been driving OTR for the last three years, says most companies are looking for drivers and has steered me in this direction.

I have been researching with the help of this site and with some advice from my brother, am looking at getting into the training program at Prime Inc if they will have me. Seems like a pretty good company to work for and my brother says they treat their drivers well. He has even spoke to a few company drivers out on the road and they say the same thing.

A bit about me. I suppose I'm a bit older than most of those looking to get into driving at 53. I come from a 25 year career in commercial and residential construction and had my own company from 2006 until 2011. I'm in good shape for my age and my wife says I still act like I'm in my thirties. I have a clean driving and criminal record. I think the last time I got a ticket was back in the late 80's and no accidents.

So I guess my two big questions are, is my age going to be any detriment to being considered for a job as a trainee and is Prime as decent of a company as I have been led to believe?

Any comments or words of advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks for this great website.

Craig