Profile For Matthew W.

High road iis an awesome program all I used and passed first go around... and about the bus think of it as a right of passage. :)

High five, Prime flatbed.

How is the flatbed treating you right now in the winter? I hear it slows down for them.

Bus ride was ****...but it is a right of passage. I have finally made it to Prime's school. I got in yesterday, been filling out tons of paperwork passed blood pressure and physical abilities test so far hanging out in line waiting to do drug test and rest of physical. Just wanted say thanks to everyone on the website and forums for all their help. I ended up going flatbed and really excited to get going. Hope everyone is well and will keep you all updated

Prime won't let you go straight to tanker in the first place because of how difficult they are to drive, so you are going to most likely do refrigerated before you do anything with tanker.

Not saying you are incorrect or anything Josh because you may very well be correct, I was just relaying what was told to me by my recruiter Julie. She stated that I would start my training on a reefer and then finish up with tanker and then transition into east coast regional pulling a tanker. I was merely looking to get some insight from guys that have been with Prime for a while to see what they knew about the tanker division and if the pay would balance itself out. I know Tankers make a little bit more than reefer but i am assuming less miles overall because of the regional nature of it.

Good Luck to you guys that are heading out to Springfield MO for the class starting on the 15th. I won't be there until Jan 5th :( .

So how is it going Josh? Everything still rolling along well?

So my recruiter was talking to me about the different divisions, and I was interested in the tanker, I was wondering if you guys could tell me more about that division as far as equipment, miles, anything to help me make a decision really. She told me that they get less miles than the Refrigerated guys because it is East Coast but that the pay makes up for it. She also told me that I can choose to drive either refrigerated or tanker. So I am just trying to get some perspective from some guys that are there or driving it and have real life experience with it. Thanks in advance!

So how is it going there at Orientation Josh? Filling out tons of paperwork? When do they do the physical?

@Brent B. No I didn't have to schedule...as far as I can tell in NC you schedule your skills test. As far as the permit it was walk in. I am sure that all the endorsements are electronic as all three of the tests I took were electronic. I myself did not take the tanker endorsement as I originally was looking at Knight Transportation and not prime. They didn't require a tanker just the permit. I have to call dmv tomorrow and see if it will cost me extra to take that portion.

@Martin I honestly couldn't say bud. NC is weird in that our registration and license and insurance is all tied together. They know when things change because the system gets flagged in raleigh. I would call the dmv and ask them.. or actually the license plate agency since they handle the registrations...or there may be a customer service number for the headquarters in Raleigh that could answer that for you.

Ha cool man, congrats! I will be there on Jan 5th also. My bus leaves Charlotte NC on Jan 3rd. I got my permit a week ago, but didn't get the Tanker, will need to go back and take that test. High Road is awesome, all I did was study that, I missed 4 on General Knowledge, 1 on air brakes, and none in Combination. When Brad tells you to memorize something you better memorize it because it will probably turn up on the test. I had several braking distance questions, several questions about emergency triangles and placement. Good luck on it and see ya in Springfield MO!

Thanks Matthew, It was a real quick turn around since applying, I just filled out the application last Friday and the recruiter called me on Thursday for a little chat on what I was looking for. The Next day he had the backround check complete and invited me today. That was quick. I haven't got my greyhound ticket yet, Look forward to meeting you as well. Who knows maybe we can study together.

Yeh I used to work for FedEx so I had to get tax records, because they don't talk to people about former employees, they use the work line. It took me like 2 days to get the acceptance, I will get my bus ticket on the 26th as my recruiter is off the week of the 29th. It will be fun, I am excited and anxious all at the same time. Never been away from my wife and kids for that long so that will be tough, but you can stand on your head and gargle peanut butter if you have to.