Wiltrans/Jim Palmer anyone?

Thanks for the post Scott. I appreciate the info. I have just sent in my application today. We'll see what happens now. If I am approved, I got a lot of stuff to get squared away at my home spot but, I'm sure everything will work out.
Thanks again.

 

Going slower than flow of traffic is less stressful, if you have the time to spare. Doing so will increase the distance between you and the traffic in front of you. When I'm having a bad day I just slow down. What's funny is some of the texting 4-wheelers will follow me and drive well under the speed limit for miles and miles and miles. Whether I was driving 85 or 55 they would also.

If your truck has the radar-assisted cruise-control even when a car comes over in front of you,but going faster than you, your truck isn't forced to slow.

 

Their pay during training is pretty good. $600-700, or mileage whichever is higher, after the first brief period with the trainer. I alternate kicking myself for not already working there and saying hallelujah I'm not doing OTR worried about where to park to sleep at my current job.

For those concerned about their expensive "health insurance" you might look into opting out and paying the fine for not having insurance. With or without their insurance you pay 100% out of pocket until you spend $5k. If you are healthy and assume the risk, you might save money. Just remember, their HSA insurance takes your weekly "premiums" and saves them as cash in an account you own even if you leave the company. Your premiums for normal health insurance goes up in smoke when you don't use those benefits. With the HSA, that cash is always yours until you spend it. It's like pre-paying for future medical bills. If you have no future medical bills, it remains cash and in your name.

 

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this tread. I've also put in my app to Palmer after much research. Really looking forward to getting this new career started! I'll try to keep everyone up to date should they accept me. Be safe and God speed!

 

Looking forward to reading this. I frequently see a light blue Freightshaker pulling a Palmer trailer on I68 or 70 in MD. Not sure what that's about . I'd love to know how much traffic they have to the East Coast.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm looking at Palmer and possibly prime for CDL school.

 

Same loads, Palmer has nicer trucks and I think they pay a little better.

 

Just did my initial phone interview with JP/WT. Guess it went ok and were moving forward to a second interview

 

Good luck, hope you will keep us up to date on how it is going.