Burnt Out On Career Of Over 20 Years.. Want To Start Trucking Career With Prime
Topic 26709 | Page 1
Welcome, Sean.
Don't put in your two week notice until you have a firm offer of employment from any company. Simply applying doesn't obligate you to anything.
Prime may look down on your recent work history, but that shouldn't stop you from applying. If they are interested, a recruiter will call you directly.
In the meantime, check this stuff out:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
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.
I know not to quit a job before getting another one. I guess I didn't know I could get a firm offer from them since I need training.. Sorry for the confusion.
Sean wrote:
I know not to quit a job before getting another one. I guess I didn't know I could get a firm offer from them since I need training.. Sorry for the confusion.
Welcome to the forum Sean. I want to first offer a comment on this point you made in your Original Post...
Am I not a candidate for Prime Inc because of this unemployment (twice) and recent change of jobs this year? My explanation is I was looking for change on being burned out but feel they look down on this. Many people change to trucking as a new career so I don't understand why they make this an issue?
A common theme on the forum is:
"Trucking is Very Competitive!"
It starts in the very beginning of the process; typically only 30% of all applicants actually graduate and pass the CDL tests. So...like any smart business, they (Prime in your case) wants to hedge their bet and accept candidates having a continuous track-record of gainful employment. Any company offering Paid CDL Training Programs makes a substantial investment in their students, thus the pre-qualification process is designed to ensure a higher return on their investment, by yielding many revenue producing drivers. The pass/fail ratio is daunting...they want to see proof of your ability to commit to a job.
The other, less obvious reason for this (in our Post 911 society), is to determine you weren't in the Middle East training at some terrorist camp. In the wrong hands, a truck can be a rather lethal weapon. Truth.
So... all that said; I think there is a reasonably good chance Prime will consider you. However it's prudent/smart NOT to have all your eggs in one basket. There are many reasons a company will turn-down an applicant. This business is always in a state of flux and has variability with employment needs within each company. We recommend applying to many trucking companies, so that you end up with at least one orientation/training invitation. And please realize it's only an offer to attend orientation and training...an employment offer will occur after passing all of the evaluations, tests and having the CDL A in hand. Use this link to expedite the application process: Apply For Paid CDL Training
I encourage you to read and study the links that Turtle replied with...
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.
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.
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Hello all,
I had been in the casino industry for over 20 years.. Earlier this year I left to try new things. I was unemployed for 3 months. I became a restaurant manager for a couple months and now currently working as a letter carrier for the postal service and only been doing that for a month now. I was also unemployed for a few months back in 2014.
Before I got hired on for the postal service I was heavily researching the trucking career and have read a lot of posts on here. I love to drive and want to see the country. Single. No kids.
I've got a few questions..
- Am I not a candidate for Prime Inc because of this unemployment (twice) and recent change of jobs this year? My explanation is I was looking for change on being burned out but feel they look down on this. Many people change to trucking as a new career so I don't understand why they make this an issue?
- I have also filed for bankruptcy last year. I don't think this is anyone's or their business but I need to know if this is a factor of getting accepted at the school or not
- How can I be sure that if I put my 2 weeks notice in on my current job that I am set to get accepted into the school? Is their a pre-application or something to that affect that tells me I'm a candidate or not?
I cannot afford to quit current job and somehow be denied entry into the school. I really want to work for Prime because of several factors. I live in Missouri. I want to be able to have a dog with me. The real world training seems ideal for me.
I don't need re-assurance as for trucking life goes. I know I want it. I just need to be sure that I am not going to be denied.
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.