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JCW is enjoying what he is doing, for the most part. He was dropped off at Prime for orientation on July 20th, and around a week later left out of SpringMo w/ his trainer. (He got his CDL from Roadmaster's in Tulsa). Thusly far, the pay has been as good or better as he made as a mechanic. The potential is to be FAR better than the mechanic, with some other pros and cons thrown in there. No, he hasn't gotten any hometime yet. But that's because he's still out there trying to pound out his 40k. (Trainer took a week post-assignment to get there/take classes/get a load; and the truck was down a week due to a radiator replacement that got tagged by ol' Man Murphy).

He gets to see the country he spent 9 years fighting for. He is used to working 70 hours a week. Folks, the mechanic is there for 11 hours/day M-F, plus whatever hours are worked on the weekend. At his last job, he rotated Saturdays (1/2 days) with the other tech. The one before that, EVERY Saturday.

 

JCW has a question. He'd ask himself, but he has a dumb phone, and no laptop. He just found out that he is going to have to purchase chains, load locks and maybe trailer locks when they assign him his truck. If this is the case, 1. How much are we looking at? and 2. Will they make it a payroll deduction?

I should add, he will be company side.

 

I checked my settlements from when I did my A-seat upgrade, and didn't see anything charged to me for chains or load locks. Don't know whether I lucked-out, or is this standard practice. Anyone else have a view on this?

The other stuff JCW will need to get from the company store, including a lock set, pulp thermometers and a tire pressure gage - minimum. The lock set will last forever with a little WD40... serious discount from what Abloy sells them for online. I think a tire inflation hose is something he'll want to get as well. This stuff can be charged to his settlement (aka the truck,) but he'll need his FMs ok up front. Also he should ask his FM if he can do this in a couple of payments. If you go to the company website, there is a link to the company store on it - you can check out prices there.

A CB can wait, but its very useful - RadioShack sells some cheaper ones that will get out to a shipper/receivers office. Jumper cables and a safety vest are a must, but I think they are going to be cheaper at Walmart. This stuff is also available through the company store.

 

I got a question for you prime guys. Why do the company drivers only seem to get those Petes with the tiny sleepers? I l

 

Tiny Cascadias, tiny Prostars...

Company policy. The smaller tractor comes with a lower weight too - you can pack more in the trailer that way. You can lease one if you want too.

 

I will be happy in one as long as it has an apu.

 

I thought maybe it was their way of punishing drivers for not leasing. Lol

 

Pull-ease, spare me! Ran for nearly three years on the company side, and never heard one word about leasing. We have several large contracts with shippers who have given us a larger portion of their business or a premium on their rates for the additional capacity we can pull with the lightweight tractors.

Keep your eyes open... looks like our competition is also doing this now.

 

Well I don't pull reefers with my current company but if things don't pick up in the next few weeks I may have to give prime a call.

 

Would a student most likely get a 9 or 10 speed or do they have 13speed also? If they are all 13 i would need to practice on that a lot. i have not drove a 13.