The Diaries Of Randy @ Prime, Inc.

I guess I am just a bit worried about starting something new. The feeling of knowing I will have a massive vehicle that is under my total control is a bit over whelming. Like I have mentioned, I have been out on quite a few runs with my brother in law (he actually did let me drive for about 100 miles, from rest area to rest area) so it was all freeway miles but it was a fun experience.

My other concern is getting into schooling and having to sit there forever until I can get out on my own. I am skiddish to having a trainer who isnt "like me" for example, I have heard stories about trainers who dont like to stop for showers, dont like to stop for bathroom breaks. I do not want to get stuck with one of them types.

I am a recently laid off web designer and at the age of 37 I am going to be honest and say I am a bit nervous to actually go for it. I know I wont have any issues when it comes to the driving part but I know it will be a whole new world compared to what I am used to. Not being home but 2 days every 2 weeks would be a downfall having 2 young children, That would take a while to get used to. Also coming from a small town in TN, I would be a nervous wreck if they sent me to say NYC.. I dont handle going through Nashville in a SUV to well, I would hate to see it in NYC with a semi.

I think I am going to take your advice though and get everything going as far as getting my permit and everything. Maybe go have a few more talks with my uncle who was actually a trainer back in his day. And when and if the time comes, I will take the plunge and just go for it. There wouldnt be nothing like going down the road and getting paid to see the country.

A very big factor in your decision that was not involved in mine.....children. I wish you the best.

Hey David, I think any one in this career understands you apprehensions - they are normal. I think what it boils down to, for me anyway, is how badly do you want to do this? I had a terrible trainer, but I made up my mind that I could bear it for the four weeks it took to get myself shed of him. You know what? I've been enjoying this career ever since then, and I have never even seen that guy again even though we both still work for the same company.

School is fast paced, and stressful, but it's also exciting moving that massive gentle giant of a truck down the road. Heck man, four weeks of school and four weeks with a trainer and most places will turn you loose ready or not. That's not that long of a time when you consider lots of folks will spend four or five years in college just to get a job that doesn't pay as well as a good Over The Road driver can make. It's a whole new lifestyle, and it's something you've got to really want to do or you may be disappointed after a while. The internet gives plenty of evidence that a lot of people just don't make the grade when it comes to adjusting to this lifestyle.

So my advice is not too focus on your fears or apprehensions, but try and decide "Do I really want this?" Because if you do you will make it happen - I know this because I'm the poster child for people who kept taking it on the chin, but finally managed to make it all happen. I'm living a dream, and I can't wait for each new days adventure to begin. It's a great job, with a never ending demand for professional people who can produce where others are falling short.

I agree with Old School and after your done with school and your 4 weeks with a trainer you got about 10 months to hang in there and learn learn learn you can go solo or team up with somebody from school after that year is up and you keep your nose clean you can write your own ticket meaning like go local for food distributing yeah you have to load and unload but starting pay here in Arizona is $65,000 4 days on 3 off wont mention there names but theres about 4 here good luck

I just have a few questions before I make that call.

When you start training, how long till you start getting paid? While in school and riding with an instructor, how long till you get to come home? How much money should you bring with you when you leave for school?

My fear is that if the school and riding with a trainer is 8 weeks, I wont be able to come home for 2 months. I am ready to go forward in this new career path and want to get some things answered. I think I will get better answers from the ones who have gone through it than from the recruiter. From my experience, they will tell you anything to get you in the door.

Thanks

I just have a few questions before I make that call.

When you start training, how long till you start getting paid?

That depends..... If you get an instructor immediately after completing orientation then you can expect the training phase to get your CDL to take about 3 weeks. But, if you get stuck waiting to get an instructor....and there are people still waiting from my orientation class while I'm 2 weeks into my on the road training.....then obviously that stretches that time span out. During this training phase there in NO PAY, but they will advance you $200 per week to help you cover food expenses. Once you have your license and are assigned a trainer for the second driving phase (to get 30000 miles) then you are guaranteed at least $600 per week. If you drive more than 5000 miles in a week as a team then you will make more than $600.

While in school and riding with an instructor, how long till you get to come home?

Once you get your license and start the second driving phase they want you to get in at least a couple of weeks on the road before taking time off. They don't want you off right after getting the license because they want you to keep the process going to get it more ingrained in you before taking time off. So you're looking at somewhere in the range of 6-8 weeks before getting time off, barring having to wait extensively for an instructor.

How much money should you bring with you when you leave for school?

They house and feed you for orientation so very little money would be needed for that time period. And after that if you need it they advance you $200 per week. If you don't need it and have money to cover your expenses....eating.....then you don't have to spend it. I have seen many come here with very low money resources and they don't want to spend the $200 in case they don't make it through to the point of getting paid and able to pay it back from wage deductions. During orientation you COULD need a small amount of money because they allot you a defined amount of money to spend on each meal and if you go over you pay the extra. You can eat without going over. The portions and costs are VERY REASONABLE. Coffee, iced tea and water are free so you don't have to spend anything on drinks if you stick with those choices.

You do need $100 to give to Prime for participating in the program. It's nonrefundable. You need an additional $50 to cover the CDL exam or transferring your permit. All of these costs are spelled out in the materials they give you by email...the recruiter will send them to you by email.

My fear is that if the school and riding with a trainer is 8 weeks, I wont be able to come home for 2 months.

As stated above, that is very possible and you need to be prepared for that to begin with.

I am ready to go forward in this new career path and want to get some things answered. I think I will get better answers from the ones who have gone through it than from the recruiter. From my experience, they will tell you anything to get you in the door.

Be blessed and be safe!

David, if you haven't already, go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide from beginning to end and follow all of the links you come across. You'll find a ton of information that will answer a lot of your questions and help you understand what it takes to get your trucking career off to a great start.

Not much new on my last week. Just more of the same but my shifting is getting smoother and smoother. I am able to process everything so much better with the burps on the radar screen being fewer and father between. Now the BEST PART.....

Today I took my CDL exam and had a Trifecta!!! First mission accomplished, licensed driver!!! I will soon meet my trainer for the next phase and be off to OTR land where a whole new world of adventures and learning await me. Because I had local for my PSD phase, there is much that I missed out on and my new trainer will have to bring me up to speed on those things, but I know it's just a matter of doing them. I am so relieved to have the exam done.

The "teacher" in me has led me to helping many other students. Some have instructors who literally tell them to figure it out on their own. So I have spent time teaching them. I have one special story regarding that.....

I was at the Millennium waiting on the shuttle and started chatting with another student. He was very frustrated and told me he had failed his exam TWICE already. His instructor had nothing new to offer and told him to get in the truck and figure it out. He felt so lost and clueless where to start. So I told him about the "formulas" for parallel, off-set, and alley dock, using the "V" and the landing gear. He soaked it up like a sponge and thanked me. That was about 5 days ago.

Today, while I was waiting to do my exam, he showed up there and we met again by chance. He was telling another student his story of failing and frustration and then said that yesterday he passed his exam because of what I had taught him. That made me feel SO GOOD. I was thrilled that I had shared it with him and that he was able to comprehend it without even seeing it or being in the truck when I shared it with him. It truly makes me feel great when I see other students passing their exams. I feel it while I'm watching them go through the various parts of the test and it agonizes me when I see one fail.

So when he told me he had passed his exam, that alone was GREAT news. To see how our chance meeting led to helping him do so made it that much better. He was all grins as he told me and thanked me. So today was a double blessing for me.

I again want to thank Brett and TT friends for their part in helping me get to this point. I will be staying with TT as I continue my journey.

Be blessed and be safe!!!

Congrats on getting your CDL!!!!! I have enjoyed reading about your experiences and I know the help you gave to your fellow student was a great blessing to him....I have worked in education and have had my share of experience where a teacher knows a subject but only knows 1 way to teach it...the best ones can explain in many different ways and in a way the student can learn. Keep on writing because your info is great!

That's so awesome, Randy! Congrats on the CDL! It's really great that you helped that student out, and that he was able to tell you himself that he passed because of you! What an amazing feeling that must be for you!

Keep up the great work! I look forward to your further adventures as I get ready to start CDL school in the fall.

Tarren