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Usually its the day after you finish you're A-seat upgrade classes. That being said, it depends on the supply of unassigned tractors available. Its possible (but unlikely) you may have to wait a day or two.

If you get one that's had some miles on it, it will be thoroughly detailed before they put it back out. You do a thorough inspection, note anything that isn't right, and they give you a shop appointment to get things taken care of before you go out on your first load.

Yup, but they're fairly large.

Yep. Takes the stress off of the first week. You can relax and check the place out while the other guys are cramming for the permit test, and stressing out about it. They'll ask you to surrender your class B (you can't have two CDLs any more,) but the CDL-A permit allows you to drive a 4-wheeler.

They beg folks to run NE... so anyone who asks for it usually doesn't have a problem. If you want to run on the company side, they have some sweet deals out that way.

No one gets "cut loose" at Prime. The limit I believe is 39 (I could be wrong here) before they put you through the rest of the screening program for sleep apnea. Its a serious medical problem that a lot of folks have both skinny and heavy - its just that 80% of those affected are heavy, thus the BMI screening. Google "BMI calculator" and put your numbers in to find out where you stand. The rest of the screening includes neck size, throat obstructions, and some medical questions. Its not a scam, there are real doctors involved, and Prime trades free space in the terminal to the sleep clinic (its not owned by Prime) for a cut on their prices... that goes straight to you.

If the doctor decides you may have a problem with it - that's a medical diagnosis, they'll ask you to do a sleep study there at the terminal. Based on that you may end up being required to use a CPAP machine. Cost is $130 for the test if you don't have it, $2000 for everything (test, machine, follow-up care, additional masks, etc.) if you do. They set up a payment plan ($55 per week, IIRC) out of your settlement. The machine is quality, and the kind of machine needed to support keeping your CDL. It also is handy... its done at the terminal, and unlike many places theres no such thing as a 6-month waiting list.

 

I've read elsewhere that it is 39 BMI, and a 17" necksize. I hope they pull the measure tape tight around my neck to make it 16.5"! "Don't worry, my face is usually blue... it's this heat..."

 

I hope your right about the bmi because i'll just make it. but i'll def find out for sure from my recruiter. I didnt know that you had to surrender your class B in order to get your class A permit.. learn something new everyday. i have been tested for sleep apnea a while back and i didnt have it. but if i do now 55 dollars a week isnt bad. its good that the company is looking out for your best interest.. (at least it seems that way..)

 

If you take multiple $200 advances, do you still pay $25 dollars a week or do they stack?

 

I am calling the recruiter tomorrow so any question ppl want me to ask just post them here. I heard that the school has a 3 to 5 month waiting list in which I am cool about because I am planning on leaving in the middle of January.

 

Ask this question for Truckersaurus...

Good luck... I don't think the waiting list is all that long except for the gals. They want to pair them up with a lady trainer.

 

Yes, please do. Or actually, I'll be talking to my recruiter tomorrow and I'll find out and let everyone know.

 

No idea here... my "guess" is that you'd stay at $25 per settlement. If there's any way you can keep it to one draw... do so. It's so easy to just start blowing money in truckstops - everything is two or three times more expensive than at Walmart.

Here's another tip. Don't get caught in the trap of taking advances from your settlements when you fuel-up. That extra ballance that the company puts on the card is for business-related expenses. One of the complaints from many newbs is, "Why I'm not making any money." Followed by, "This carrier is screwing me." When all it is, is the unremembered payroll advances blown on mega-expensive cheap junk and toys at the truckstop.

 

The Truck Stops are there for 2 reasons 1) fuel the Trucks 2) Take as much cash from truckers as they can. You wont find dollar menu at the fast food places cause your a captive audience. Go to walmart and stock up! If you pay $10 a day at truck stops it adds up! Just remember your Trainer can afford it more then you! Just look at that bellie!!

 

While I'm getting my duck's in a row, an interesting question came to my mind as far as fueling. Is there a particular truck stop that prime company drivers generally are required to fuel at the most? (Loves, TA etc?) Reason for asking is I figure I should just go ahead and get my truck stop reward cards now so I won't have to worry about getting them later.