I Am New And Looking For Advice
Topic 23620 | Page 2
Rainy, I sure know how you felt going into an auto from the manual. I would have kicked and screamed all the way until I had no choice but you are right it sure is a beautiful truck. It looks like it fits you to a "T".
I’m still not sure this is the real Rainy. I think the body snatchers have her somewhere hidden. lol
She’s right when she says I put a lot of pressure on myself. I usually pick things up quickly but this is totally different than anything I have ever done. I’m learning that you can’t beat yourself up when you make a mistake or don’t do a backing maneuver perfectly. As long as I don’t hit something or hurt someone and I’m on time then I’m doing good. Things are clicking, some things faster than others. I’m stubborn and I’m determined and I will do this.
Since you will be doing this if your husband can’t find a good job quickly, this may help: at Prime as soon as you pass your CDL you are hired and will earn a minimum of $700 a week while in the TNT portion (30,000 miles) of your training. I’m not sure how Stevens does it.
Keep us in the loop and let us know what you decide. Good luck!
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.
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
Rainy, I sure know how you felt going into an auto from the manual. I would have kicked and screamed all the way until I had no choice but you are right it sure is a beautiful truck. It looks like it fits you to a "T".
Harry, i cried to my FM so hard " i cant drive this thing. i dont even know how to start it!" i seriously coukdnt get it to move.
but it is what it is. its mine now.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Your truck is beautiful...! What is the big difference between auto and manual? Having never ever driven a stick I am way more used to automatic transmissions...haha..
Robin
Rainy, I sure know how you felt going into an auto from the manual. I would have kicked and screamed all the way until I had no choice but you are right it sure is a beautiful truck. It looks like it fits you to a "T".
Harry, i cried to my FM so hard " i cant drive this thing. i dont even know how to start it!" i seriously coukdnt get it to move.
but it is what it is. its mine now.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I really appreciate the detailed and thoughtful replies. I feel like most of my life has been taking care of others, not really focusing on myself. For some reason I think having a career where I'm the responsible one and it's up to me totally to succeed is attractive to me in ways I don't even understand yet.
I will definitely keep in touch and would love to get to know you all. If I embark on this journey I for sure am going to need all the experienced help I can get!! :)
Robin
Robin, Don't worry too much about a manual transmission truck as most people here on the forum will tell you that almost all companies are switching their fleets over to automatic transmissions. There will be very few if any left except for maybe the very small companies that are die hard on manuals. You'll be just fine.
Ick, it's an International. My least favorite of trucks. I've been in a 2014, a 2016, and now a 2019 AutoShift that I completely despise. It's pretty but the gloriousness ends there. While I'm very grateful my company gives us new equipment with cool features like built in fridges, heated and cooled seats, etc, the way it's been programmed is positively dreadful. Currently on my way to Cedar Rapids with my latest victim.. er trainee at the wheel, ready to have a little sit down with management regarding the driveability of this truck. I'm praying they'll listen because I cannot see myself driving this truck any appreciable length of time. I've tried to like it even a little but still no dice. I drove it to Columbus OH, then by the house, then to ft Myers FL, up to Baltimore, Chicago and now to CR. A little over 3k miles now. The people at freightliner lost their minds when designing the 2019s and my company has lost their minds, setting the driving parameters ridiculously. I need cheese to go with my whine. Wish me luck.
What is wrong with automatic trucks versus manual? Just curious, thanks! :)
Robin
Ick, it's an International. My least favorite of trucks. I've been in a 2014, a 2016, and now a 2019 AutoShift that I completely despise. It's pretty but the gloriousness ends there. While I'm very grateful my company gives us new equipment with cool features like built in fridges, heated and cooled seats, etc, the way it's been programmed is positively dreadful. Currently on my way to Cedar Rapids with my latest victim.. er trainee at the wheel, ready to have a little sit down with management regarding the driveability of this truck. I'm praying they'll listen because I cannot see myself driving this truck any appreciable length of time. I've tried to like it even a little but still no dice. I drove it to Columbus OH, then by the house, then to ft Myers FL, up to Baltimore, Chicago and now to CR. A little over 3k miles now. The people at freightliner lost their minds when designing the 2019s and my company has lost their minds, setting the driving parameters ridiculously. I need cheese to go with my whine. Wish me luck.
For me it is hating change. you have more control in the manual. my truck is a pain to back up and bumping a dock use to be a tap now it is a slam. lol
a manual going downhill you can put the truck in gear and hold your speed but the auto could keep shifting. so you could speed up and tge engine sounds different like it wants to explode on hills.
mine took cabbage with no problem. i put it in gear and rode the jakes down. others tell me their truck upshifts and builds speed. i never touched my brakes the ehole way down.
you like what you learn on.
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Totally understandable. im single no kids so it was easier.
Did you read my article about relationships?
OTR Relationships are they possible?
you will be exhausted on home time at least in the beginning. you will probably feel.guilty.
this is a choice ALL of you need to.make. the hubby and kids could get resentful and you will feel like life is passing you by. but...if you just want to use it to take a year and get out of debt or save money etc...then it could be great.
i planned on staying my one year then going home. i love it so.much i never left. ive been considering moving to MO and being an in house instructor or dispatcher or something....but that all sounds so normal and boring.
they made me.take a week of trainers courses and i wanted to scream. SCHEDULE?? what do you mean 7 to 5 with lunch at noon everyday??? what if i want to sleep.late or get out early??? lol
something to understand...it can take a whole year, a year to really get the time management and trip planning down. this is why we say hang i there at least that long. so.many people quit before they see what it truly has to offer
do not put too much pressure on yourself. (like someone i know...uh hummm, Kim) you wont be perfect. you will screw up and trainers and companies expect it. As far as newer trucks, most of larger carriers turn over their trucks once the warranties are up. it saves on maintenance. stevens would have new trucks also.
im in my 3rd..omg...moving from truck to truck is like moving into a new apartment. yes i had a 2015, 2016 and now in a 2017. but its sooooo purrty
they will have to pry the key from my cold dead hand!!! Kim knows me well and said "OMG is this really rainy who said that???" lol
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.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.