First off, I am Very new to trucking. I'm a week away from getting my CDL and before this, I worked in IT for 20 years...and I am also not a car/truck guy.
With that being said, I am having problems understanding what a Lightweight truck is. I mean, I understand the concept that the truck is lighter then a normal truck, but don't really understand what that means in practical terms.
Also, I see people posting about Prime trucks going slow (56mph or so) is that because the engine is limited at 56mph or is it because Prime gives a MPG bonus? (to me, I don't see a problem going slow. In my pov, if I am driving a fair distance, I will look for a truck going about 60mph and tuck in behind, where I can see his mirrors, cruse and enjoy my audio book).
Lastly, I am a little worries about how Prime will view my employment history. I was with my last job for 7 years (as a consultant for MS) but my job got outsourced and I have been unemployed for 2.5 years since then. Will that 2.5 years unemployed be a problem?
Also, the job before my last was in India. Will they be able to verify that?
One last question, if Prime does accept me, what division should I go for? My residency is in WA but I don't care about home time (no kids, no wife and my house I am "renting" from my family and would just be where my mail goes). I don't think I want to do flatbeds, but Dry Van, Refers or Tankers are fine and I think I would prefer to do long runs. If you provide any suggestions, what would be the Pros and Cons to your suggestions.
Thank you!
Very Newbie question(s) - LW trucks, slow speeds, so on?
Discussion in 'Prime' started by NeoGrin, Mar 5, 2015.
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Freymiller has contracts hauling freight between Pacific Northwest and Southeast; good long runs. This company runs 48 states.
Submit applications now, before graduation from CDL school.Metallica88 Thanks this. -
Chinatown Thanks this.
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That 2.5 years unemployed might hurt.
Prime is a great place to be if you can get in here. Definitely moreso than Freymiller, but Prime unfortunately can be kind ofpicky in the app process. Definitely check with a recruiter on that.
The LW's aren't bad at all. I'm 6'1 and have no problem at all moving around. Can get a fridge in if you take out the passenger seat. I have a TV, fridge, microwave in mine. TBH having a LW is nice as it is a little easier to maneuver in tight spots too.
They pay a fuel bonus to go slow. 62 on cruise or 58 on the pedal. Most company guys go 58-60.hal380 Thanks this. -
I often hear prime drivers complain about low miles. All though it's dependent on what type of driver u will be. I agree with Chinatown u do need to get some pre-hires including companies that's not high on list. Check out the structure of the training program. Main question ask recruiters how long it takes to become 1st seat. Www.bubbajunk.com and similar sites are good tools to get your information out there. Companies will contact u if interested. As for employment some companies go back 3,5,7,10 years depending on company. I had a company to go out of business on my resume for trucking companies if u don't have a check stub or tax return proving u worked there it's best to say u were unemployed. I got hung up like that I couldn't get cleared till I proved where I worked. If you were unemployed just say so they gonna ask if u were getting benefits and why we're u unemployed.
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We're limited to 80,000 lbs gross weight; cut the equipment weight and you can haul more freight. There's a lot of carriers that have caught on to this now.
Speed... you can run as fast as you like up to the limit programmed into the ECM. 62 on the company side. Company drivers are paid a variable fuel bonus of up to 6 CPM weekly. The better you do, the more you make. Slowing down is one of the easiet ways to improve your fuel economy, or you can go faster and not worry about it.
Most of Prime's tanker fleet operates east of the Rockies, so getting out to the Pacific NW would be easier in flatbed or reefer divisions. However, you're going to need some recent, verifiable work experience. A 2.5 year hiatus will disqualify you from hiring on at Prime. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.hal380 Thanks this. -
Thank you all for the information!
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I hope I'm not posting in the wrong thread. Anyhow, does Prime run manual or automatic truck's. I'm a newbie.
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