Wow....big spenders. Do you honestley belive someone can live on that this day and age? Minus taxes that's about $200 take home......eating on the road will cost anywhere from $105 week (# $15.00 per day) and $210 week (# $30.00 per day).

Let's see:

$200 net minus $105 road expenses = $95 week take home.

$200 net minus $210 road expenses = $10 in the hole!!! (that is when newbies start using their fuel cards for "advances", and will always be in the hole because you will owe the company more money than you're making).



Twelve cents a mile!!! Wow.....where do I sign up!?! Even if the truck runs 6000miles that week, you mean I get to keep $720 gross? Even though I will be driving 4,000 or 5,000 miles of that 6,000 (because that is what usually happens with a newbie when they go with a trainer----nothing but a slave with a log book) I get to keep that $720 gross?


Newbies: Semi-Retired was nice enough to post the numbers for you......it is your job to do the math as it applies to you in the real world.

I have done that for you.

If you're still crazy enough to "pay Prime to drive for them", then don't say I didn't warn you.

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Oh, boy, I hate situations like this. You go in trying to help mankind and, eh, all of a sudden you realize you're adjusting your halo in a two way mirror. Face 1983

I think it boils down to what you can live with for a few weeks...

The pay is something. I havent found a school that will pay you while you train, most will pay all or some tuition... some may feed you.

As I understand it, that 240 is paid up front weekly until you go from CDL Permit to test out. 10 to 21 days.

After that, 600 minimum per week or .12/mile (which ever is more) for the next 60,000 miles... I understand you are credited 10k for your CDL training. (50k)

You are committed for a year but the only thing you have to pay back is the 240/per week. (so 480-720 at $40/week)

It may not be attractive to a newbie with a family, and a house. But to me...

I have and can budget 8-9 dollars a day on food lets say 300 max per month, plus all my other bills depending on credit card (I pay all or half the balance each month) is under 500. I have a paid off car at less than 50 dollars insurance, a Honda 14 years old and still gets almost 40mpg with little or no repair (just maint.)

Being very conservative, I pay out 900/month... thats $1500 before taxes or more than 1100 bankable dollars per month while getting my 50-60k.

Right out of the gate, based on my current living arrangement, I save more than $6000/per year by living out of the truck. I will do this as long as I feel I want to and then I will put down roots someplace closer to my family. (Ive been 3000 miles away from them for the last 16 years)

You have to research the options, and find the program that works for you, your situation, and what you can afford.

So starving to death, and no life is your answer? Good luck with that.


Note: see signature line.

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Oh, boy, I hate situations like this. You go in trying to help mankind and, eh, all of a sudden you realize you're adjusting your halo in a two way mirror. Face 1983

Does anyone know if you get to go home during any of the program? Thanks

Does any one know if you get to go home during any part of the training? Thanks

Maybe for some people thats not a bad idea. I was fortunate enough to be able to pay my way for school. I checked into both the VA and State funding. What a joke that was. They only seem willing to help you if you have all kinds of problems. If you're a normal person thats worked all their life, paid your dues, you get screwed.

It says on my orientation sheet-once you complete your 21 day schooling then you get paid. and you need a 100 dollars for room and board and 50 for permit and license.

the cdl training at prime is great. i was a instructor there for a little over a year but get your cdl and wheel time and get out. dont get sucked into their rent a truck program. a owner operater owns their truck they dont rent it. there is no such thing as "a good lease op program" unless you are the fat cat aka prime inc. oh sorry new prime inc. In the time i was there i saw people deep in the hole liveing on advances and on the road. Im sure the few prime rent a truck drivers will tell me i didnt know how to manage my "business" properly. Yeah me and 90% of everyone else who has passed thru there. Get 6 months and look at real companys so you make a check each and every week. no $1400 one week and no check the next 3 or more weeks.

Would it be worth to go to a college a get your CDL or go through Prime? This sounds interesting now that you mention it. also, does Prime have any terminals in the SE and do they do SE regional?

King

No, it's called "money management" and it can be done like U2 is talking about. I want to go with Prime myself. The $240 a week is an advance, not learning pay. I know damn well I can make it on that. Those of you who say you can't make it on that should stop and think about staying out of those money hungry truck stop's. I can hit a Walmart and get enough stuff to last me through the week on $100 or less but that doesn't include cigg.'s. Eating out of truck stop's will eat a hole in your wallet if they even leave you a wallet period much less the chain it's attached too.

Screw a bank. The money I would be putting back would be stored in a safe place that not even the trainer would know about that way I would have safety money for any kind of emergency that may or should occur. I used to be horrible with my money but over the past couple of year's I have been stretching out every last dollar. Saving money doesn't mean you have to starve yourself. Just stay away from the lease program other wise you will.

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"I'm not a truck driver. I'm a non refrigerated load relocation engineer".