Profile For Skywalker

I could do that. Trucks hauling trucks... I read in an earlier post somewhere that is a really good gig. I did talk with a Swift driver in Vail a couple of months ago. He had his son on the truck for Summer vacation. Nothing but great things to say about the company, dm's miles and loads. Will have to catch up with him now.

Not looking for a lot of perks or special treatment, I know I'll earn those in time. But in looking at what different companies are offering I was surprised to see what they are throwing in to attract drivers. Direct tv -don' need it Satellite internet -too spotty More home time -less take home money. So I put together my own list and knew if I got those I would have minimal distractions in learning this new trade. And I know there is a heck of a lot to learn...

I agree with you both and am putting apps to Swift Roehl and many others now. Does Swift do flatbed? I thinks that's where I would thrive, outdoorsy, getting dirty and such. I think I am just stuck on the fact that in our first convo the employment gap wasn't an issue but now it is. So what changed? I think if I didn't have the name issue I'd have shipped out in March and been upgrading by now.

I tend to do a lot of planning before I jump into something, especially this career change, and I often look for the team effort in the amenities that will help me thrive. What's my backup and what is going to help me be successful in this endeavor. What's going to keep me on the road. For me my list and what I am looking for in a company is: Easy access to Northeast, Albany, NY for home time. Good training pay $500+ Good starting pay .40+ Good trainers On the road training Trucks with APU's for fridge, cooking appliances (Save $$ grocery bill vs fast food bills + healthier) Plenty of freight and mileage Multiple divisions to move up and around in Family oriented and open door policy Professionalism

I made this list back in March and Prime seemed to match everything I wanted. Now I am trying to match other companies

Nuts... I don't like rejection. At least not without a logical or explainable reason. I went through my application with a fine tooth comb looking for any discrepancies. Couldn't find anything off, all honest and straightforward. Reworded unemployment during baby years stating reasons why and did supplemental work and could provide proof docs for both. Sent app to Wil-Trans thru TT (like the new banner ads...) and got a call yesterday from WT recruiter. Explained my situ and app and that Prime just rejected me day before. He didn't have a problem with the app but he did say after running it through computer or something it came back as stating 'Better Qualified Applicants Available' which I took to meaning I was put on a gray list for some reason. Bummed and confused... This means that Jim Palmer is out for me too because of their relations.

I do not know what I said to have the Prime guy put me on this list but I know myself pretty well and think I am more than qualified. And in both conversations with him I was very honest straight froward and non-withholding on my situation. I am half tempted to send a letter to the owner of Prime or try and get a second recruiter but I know this guy is just doing his job diligently filtering applicants because he probably had more than a few applicants fail recently and is trying to do a better job filtering...

I think will call him up again and try to get some feedback

I take it as a challenge, will persevere....

Sent app to TMC and Wil-Trans actually left another VM

Probably put all my eggs in one basket but amenities do count in a big career move like this... I think I am focused on Prime as I like their training program, training pay and starting pay. I need to hit the ground running with starting pay and $700 a week can't be beat during TNT phase. I like that they have 3 divisions to get experience in, reefer, flatbed and tanker so if I get bored or want to up my game I can switch within same company without starting over. I like that they got good trucks with APU's and I can put a fridge and nuker in them. For me this is essential for saving money and will help keep me on the road for days I would think. The drivers I've talked to on the road and through here all have good things to say about their Prime experiences and weekly pay. And plenty of miles if you have a strong work ethic, of which I do.

Funny... I just got off the phone with Melton. I sent them an application thru TT last night with stay at home dad as second of last four employers. They didn't have a problem with it and wanted to hire but they don't have cdl schooling. 160 hr certificate or experience minimum

Thanks guys, I appreciate your input. Is there another way to get in? Could I get another recruiter or someone on the inside? I am not a afraid of the hours of work involved in trucking, I am a workaholic and have always been working even while raising the girls just to supplement our family income. In fact I think trucking might be a cake walk after raising those girls! It was definitely a double time job especially after the second one came 16 months later. Great memories but real work and very little rest.

The thing is when I talked to this guy back in March I was very explicit in my situation, Just moved family across country, put girls in school, got first real job in 6 years but wife just left and now looking for long term career change. I even put stay at home Dad in as employment on the app during those years which we talked about and where he suggested putting apartment manager because it looked better. We had a good conversation and both thought name change on birth certificate was the big issue. So he put my app on hold and told me to call after getting it handled.

After really looking at my situation I saw my career choices were trucking or mailman. I figured working for the postoffice would be a great government job so went through all the tests and interviews, got the job in the town I wanted but after talking to the Postmaster I found it was only 32 hrs week @ $16hr and no hopes of union or benefits for a few years. And though I liked the job I had just gotten, installing solar panels on farm fields, had a great boss, good crew and started to work my way up, I didn't want to be a laborer for the next few years and needed to get out of the toxic situation I was in. I decided on trucking as it looks like a great career choice with multiple options and learning curves where I'd have minimal bills, and get see my girls on a regular basis while saving for their future. So after retaining a lawyer and going through courts to finalize custody and child support issues I decided to moved back to California to get paperwork in order and build a deck for a friend to pad my savings while I go through truck training.

Fast forward 5 months. So now that I finally got all of my paperwork in order, birth certificate SS card CA license Passport and permit all match with full names, I figured everything is in order and I update my application with Prime. I got the same recruiter as I talk to back in March so I figured that was great and I was in like Flynn, he remembered me and we got to catch up with some good conversation. Up until the point where he asked for employment verification for baby years. Well the conversation pretty much stopped and went downhill from there as I reminded him I couldn't prove verification and he kept insisting on it, almost religiously this time. I asked if there was anything else I could do or use besides 1099's or W2's and he said no. I asked what to do now and he said go to C.R. England or Swift and give a call in 6-9 months and we can help you. This really kind of ticked me off because he just knocked both companies down earlier in our conversation while he was saying I made a good choice with Prime. So I understand he wasn't worried about this in March but he is now. My application info hasn't changed so something else has, policy or incident wise maybe. Just surprised about this turn around...

I even texted him back saying I understand your and Primes dilemma about risking training for students as he mentioned that earlier, but what if I paid for the schooling upfront and got reimbursed after proving myself? No response back

I have a little setback. I updated my application for Prime and just got off the phone with a recruiter, same guy I talked to 4 months ago and thought I was set with just having to amend my birth certificate with first and middle names (it just said male plus last name). Well this time he said I am not eligible for Prime cdl training as I cannot show employment history for the 4.5 years (2011-2015) I was a stay at home Dad raising our girls and now he says he needs W-2's or 1099's for those years. When last I talked with him I let him know exactly what my situation was as an at home father doing handyman work and apartment management and he suggested I put down apartment management as work history because it looked better. But we did not talk about 1099s or W2's and I and my application were very clear on no employment history while raising the babies. Not sure where to go from here... I do have traceable employment, unemployment and 1099 history for the prior immediate years and joint married tax returns for those specific years.

I realize recruiters are the gatekeepers and have their place in holding company policy and companies have policies for set reasons (usually insurance and security related) but how does one go about getting around this? Would any company understand a man's choice to staying home raising children?

Send a pic! I got to see this setup. I love hammocks

Thanks and will do. Mine is myethos@gmail.com name is Aristotle. Should be at prime in mid septemberish... Looks like you'll have the pick of the lot of eager recruits!

Here is a pertinent question: What is the employee status of a recruit after he gets his cdl license for TNT training at Prime? Are they an employee of Prime and get paid training pay by Prime on a company trainer truck? Or if on a lease trainers truck is he/she leased to the trainer (did I read that correctly earlier?)? Is there a legal status for this like a 1099? Not sure just wondering from what I read earlier. Have to do child support and wondering how to declare employment status when the time comes. Also what is the ratio of company to lease trainers at prime and are they incentivized the same? Got me curious now... What makes a trainer

Can't get there soon enough Brian! But I guess I'll have to trust in the luck of the draw. Been good to me so far. Should be heading to Prime in mid September. Maybe SLC will talk with recruiter and see what's best. Good luck with your next High Road trainee!

Haven't been this nervous since high school first date... Sweating bullits and ears plugging up! Passed all tests though did have to retake Hazmat and ironically general knowledge which was up for renewal for my car license. When the lady saw that I passed combos air brakes tankers and triples but failed my renewal she chuckled it was prolly a wise choice going into trucking... and I agreed. Tired of 4 wheelin Time to step it up! Next step is DOT physical which shouldn't be a problem as I'm 6'6" and 180 soaking wet. Still slinging 20' lumber

I thank this site and the High Road Training Program for my success but I gotta tell ya the questions and wording on that Cali test were way different hense the sweating bullits from the getgo. But I think the repetition and reviewing that the High Road drilled into me helped me pull it through.

Boom! I'm off to be a trucker!