New Here And Made The Decision!
Topic 18619 | Page 1
Drifter, I am Rod. Welcome. You state you have been coming here and looking at the postings. Good decision. This site and the people posting here have lots of information worthy of consideration.
Think about the following things as you begin this journey as a truck driver.
- why are there always so many truck driving jobs? (It is a challenging lifestyle to say the least)
- there is much beauty across this nation on the highways (most of it is seen as you drive past it as stopping to take in the view simply is not possible)
- money is to be made (by keeping the doors closed and the wheels rolling)
- to be successful you must manage your time, your thoughts, your emotions, your health (truck driving requires your full attention to everything all the time)
- find your fit before you quit (if you find yourself unhappy, learn how to make the job work for you and what suits you best - OTR 48, Team, Solo or Local)
Most importantly, keep your self and ypur truck safe!
All in all, it is just a job that requures work!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Welcome. You're in for an adventure! Driving OTR isn't a job - it's a lifestyle. Prime is an excellent choice. Best of luck on your new endeavor.
It sounds like your problems with employment verification will be sorted out eventually. I had worked for a company that went out of business. To verify employment I had to track down someone who would have remembered me at their new company and get them to vouch for me. Unfortunately, due to the type of work I did that meant the CEO, the CFO or the CIO. Good luck getting the CEO from any publicly-traded defense contractor on the phone. After just 6 phone calls over three days I got it done though.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Drifter, do you have W2s from when you worked at the gas station?
If they paid you under-the-table I can understand why "they don't know you." Go to the station and talk to some of the people who were there when you worked there. See if they will verify your employment. Ask if they will take a call from Prime.
Also, I know you said you have been lurking,...not sure if you have reviewed the below links, check em out:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Oh man I didn't even think about using my W2! That's an awesome idea I will definitely take that in to orientation with me if they end up not communicating over the phone. As for the links I've probably read and re read them twice or more I'm really looking forward to this! That super makes me feel better about this situation thanks for the replies! I'll let you know what happens through orientation and keep updates through training! Hopeful this works out
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hey everybody I'm new! Been reading and stalking a lot of the forum discussions lately, I'm a bus Operator in public transit in Salt Lake City, always wanted to drive a truck and recently applied and will start orientation with Prime in SLC this next Tuesday, I'm super excited! I'm 25, single, bounced around a lot and love driving the bus, so much I'm nervous cuz I'm about to lose seniority and a awesome paying job with awesome pension and etc, so my question is this, I'm super scared now cuz I got a call from the recruiter, they tried to verify one of my past employers from over a year ago and the manager currently there said they have no idea who I am, fair enough, cuz it's a small family owned gas station and she wasn't managing at the time and actually ended up quitting the station right after I was hired and then came and managed after I left, AND the kicker, I go by a nickname that's not my actual name... so verify says my name, off the top of her head she didn't make the connection and now it's stuck with a bunch of phone tag and she can't get through to the verifier, left messages and when the verifier has called she's not at the station and it's a massive pain. So I'm hoping this minor problem will get fixed, they'll communicate and then we're good. I feel like this looks bad though and is an issue, thoughts? Thoughts on Prime? Thoughts on wether or not I'll enjoy it? I just wanna cruise and see the 48 and make some money. Don't care where I go what I do or how long I'm gone as I plan on giving my apartment up cuz I really don't have family or anything holding me anywhere to begin with. Novel is done.