ask your questions about prime inc here

Yes Sir; that is what I was really asking as some carriers are doing that and more than 1 cent. Have Great Days!! Thanks a lot.

 

You get some tax savings if they don't take the kickback (Prime evidently doesn't so far)... 1cpm seems to be a break-even with most folks, but it depends on your tax situation.

If you have enough deductions to itemize, you're better off not taking per diem payments. Otherwise, if you take the standard deduction, putting part of your income into non-taxible per diem payments is the only way to get any advantage out of it.

At least that's how I see it... your mileage may vary.

 

Have fun! booman be patient and all your wildest dreams will come true.

 

Hi all

Ok, I have a couple, three questions, and I hope I don't sound, well, stupid

First, what is 're-powering' a load?

2nd, I don't understand the need for double-clutching. I've watched a few youtube videos about it, and my state CDL manual explains how to do it, but I'm wondering 'why'?

3rd, I was wondering about tankers? Looks like Prime does tankers but I don't see anyone talking about them. Are they scarce? Are they really hard to handle?

Thanks again... have a great weekend

CT in KS

 

You know what a relay race is don't ya? Same deal... first driver for whatever reason can't get a load all the way to the destination, so we arrange a meet, and it is handed off to a second driver. The usual reason is the first driver doesn't have enough legal hours to get the load to where it needs to go. Other reasons include maintenance issues, someone needs a load to get home, etc...

A number of times, I've been dispatched on loads that both my FM and I know I won't be delivering. Frequently that's because there isn't anyone else in the area that can pick the load up - so we plan on doing a repower down the road. Company guys are paid for all of their miles. Lease guys split the load revenue, assuming there are no out-of-route miles involved.

The amount of torque handled by the transmission and drive train in a class 8 tractor is enough to destroy those components if you change gears improperly. Double clutching relieves the force on those components while you are shifting. You can "float" the gears, but that takes experience and skill.

Don't have any tanker yankers that post here regularily.

 

Morning IP...

Thanks for the info... I kinda thought that's what re-power was.

Is it easier to learn to double-clutch if you have / haven't driven stick before? I can drive stick now, just not bigger than a car

Thanks again and have a great weekend

 

Yeah, its actually easier for someone who hasn't driven a stick. The little clutch-shift-clutch dance comes with time... and timing is the key since these transmissions aren't synchronized.

The real trick is not pushing the clutch to the floor... just a little push is all that is needed. Going to the floor in a big truck engages the clutch brake, and you'll slow the engine. Usually just enough to grind gears and get that "look" from your instructor/trainer.

Gotta watch the tach when shifting - especially downshifting. If you don't rev-up the engine enough to get it into the range that you're shooting for, you'll grind gears...

:smt065

 

Yeah, I kinda figured it would be... need to practice a lot

Got my 'hard' CDL Permit license today... have until Oct 14 to get my CDL. Wonder f I can find someone around my area willing to train me? I'll have to ask around.

Thanks again... really wish I could get down there now but... life's a bi*ch

Have a great evening

 

You can do that if you can find an owner-op willing to instruct you and let you use his truck for the practical exam, but with the way things are in trucking today, even if you do get your CDL... no one will accept your experience. Except for maybe farmer Sam down the road.

To get hired by pretty much anyone except a small local firm, you're going to need a certificate of graduation from a CDL school that is acceptable to the carrier you're applying to. Its just the way things are because of insurance being what it is. Its the lawsuit-happy society we live in - and the reticense of businesses to open themselves up to liability claims.

 

I'm just thinking of the near (?) future when I get to go for the job... I still want to go Prime and was thinking that if I had my CDL, I might not have to go through the whole Instructor phase, just go to the Trainer phase. Wrong thinking? Should I just let it go and re-apply when I'm ready to go?