Prime Flatbed; Springfield, Missouri; Spring 2020

August 10, 2020; Flatbed Securement Class

0830: I show up for the flatbed bootcamp class. Only one other person in the class with me. Our instructor is a character from Georgia, with a sarcastic sense of humor. I like him.

We go over all the FMCSA regulations regarding securement and then the higher Prime standard of securement. He emphasizes oversecurement (“add more, add more”). He even shows us some examples of accidents where the trailer tipped over but the load stayed intact. He pointed out the perspective that good securement may save your job. If you drop a trailer, but save the load, then Prime maintains a good relationship with that customer. Prime is not happy about losing a trailer, but they would be more upset if they lost a customer.

The instructor gives us a cardboard quick reference guide with certain key items relating to securement. With only two people in the class it’s pretty interactive, but we cover a lot for the day, finishing about 15:00.

I head back to my room to relax, make some calls, and then get some dinner. Kinda don’t know what to do with all this free time.

August 11, 2020: Flatbed Securement Class (hands on).

We show up at the “Plaza” building which has where inbound/outbound and the training pad. There are also some truck parking spaces where they have flatbed trailer for securement practice. He shows us some tips and tricks and has us throw some straps. We skip chaining and tarping. I guess we showed enough confidence and competence that he took our word that we knew how to throw chains. I also got to see a “j hook,” which is a nice little gadget that fits into any of the channels along the length of the trailer. You can hook a strap or a chain to it and it has a 6,600 working load limit.

After securement class, I went ahead and put my name on the waiting list for a truck (per my instructor’s recommendation). I took the last upgrade class; automatic transmissions. The same instructor who gave the flatbed securement class gave this class.

After that, I went back to my room and called Success Leasing to see where I am on the list. Number 1. She said that they get new trucks in each day at 0900 and if there is a truck tomorrow, they would call me.

While I have been angling to get onto Turtle’s fleet manager’s board, I haven’t been officially assigned a company fleet manager. All fleet managers are either lease or company. I exchanged e-mails with my proposed fleet manager today and also called the flatbed division office to tell them I wanted to be on his board.

My plan, which has been sanctioned by my proposed fleet manager, is to drive home until a truck becomes available for me. With me being 1st on the list, I will need to touch base with the folks that assign trucks to make sure that I can go home until they call me. The purpose of my plan is to equip my truck with all my personal gear as well, so that I don’t need to get routed home for me to get my personal gear.

After getting some moving blankets and other recommended items from Harbor Freight, I call it a night.

August 12 & 13, 2020: Becoming a Rookie Solo Driver.

I get up expecting a pretty leisurely day as I’ve completed everything and it’s just a waiting game. I head toward the Cracker Barrel for breakfast and decide to walk past it just to get some exercise. After breakfast I head back to the Campus Inn to update my log. Just as I sit down, my phone rings. It’s Success Leasing, they already have a flatbed truck for me.

I head over to the Z building to pick up the truck inspection sheet for the truck. I head outside to find the truck for inspection. It’s a 2019 Cascadia with 227,000 miles on it. I’ll post some picture of it when I get back there. There is no key in the truck, so I get three made at the parts shop. They keep masters in the parts shop organized by truck numbers.

After I complete the inspection, I go to permits to get my permit book and then head over to the flatbed shop at inbound/outbound. It takes a while to get all my flatbed equipment loaded on the truck, getting done about 6 p.m. I then load what I had on my trainer’s truck onto my truck. They have transfer stations where you can park your personal vehicle right next to your work truck.

I still have the rest of my stuff that I have ordered for my truck at home. With my fleet manager’s permission, I leave the next day to go home through the weekend and become available for dispatch on Monday. I was able to get assigned to Turtle’s old fleet manager. So at this point, I’m essentially a rookie solo driver.

I have some thoughts about training that are still gelling in my head so I will most likely add those later.

Forgive me Rob for not commenting earlier. Since we talk on an almost daily basis, I neglected to chime in here as often as I should.

Congratulations man on making it through 50,000 miles of TNT. That's no easy feat, to be sure. To keep a level head throughout as you have is a testament to your grit. We don't often have a student come through here showing your level of desire in learning everything there is to know about a new venture. You've done us, and yourself proud.

I raise my coffee cup in a toast to your success as a solo driver! Well done, sir!

Major CONGRATS, Rob D. ~!!

(Now, can you change your avatar back to YOU, with YOUR truck ?!?!?) << Your identity has caused much confusion, hahaha~!!!

Still following; whether you enhance THIS thread, or start anew. I'm stoked for ya~!!!

And.. on a FINAL note, LoL.... :

Congratulations! Remember to look for those wide spots in case you need to back to one!😂🤷🏻‍♂️🤣

Congratulations Rob D! I can't believe you're already a solo driver! It seems like only yesterday you started your first day of training at Prime Inc. Major accomplishment sir! Good luck and safe travels!

Congratulations!

Been a busy first week solo, so I am just now finding some time to thank all you for your support and encouragement.

I'll post another thread about my first week.

Rob. Have enjoyed reading your posts. In December 2018 I broke my leg and couldn't work for 9 weeks. During this time I started reading TT and became immersed in the diaries and other posts. Sometime during that time I joined TT. I read all your posts and just realized tonight you are.....ahem.....not 21. Neither am I. Early on you mentioned you went from a six figure income to trucking. I too am currently working a job earning six figures. I want to pull the pin and become a trucker....But I am scared. What helped you to make your decision? What was your thought process? How did you know you were ready and when you were ready? Help me if you can.

Rob. Have enjoyed reading your posts. In December 2018 I broke my leg and couldn't work for 9 weeks. During this time I started reading TT and became immersed in the diaries and other posts. Sometime during that time I joined TT. I read all your posts and just realized tonight you are.....ahem.....not 21. Neither am I. Early on you mentioned you went from a six figure income to trucking. I too am currently working a job earning six figures. I want to pull the pin and become a trucker....But I am scared. What helped you to make your decision? What was your thought process? How did you know you were ready and when you were ready? Help me if you can.

What on earth left you with the impression Rob is not 21?

Not sure of his exact age, but he could not run Interstate for Prime if he was not at least 21.