Heading to Prime September 4

Discussion in 'Prime' started by firefox3006, Aug 8, 2012.

  1. firefox3006

    firefox3006 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 27, 2012
    Richmond, Kansas
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    I am heading to Springfield on September 4. I am very nervous about this as I am leaving a job I have had for 8 yrs to do it but my job keeps cutting my hours to the point now to wherre my ex wife gets more in childsupport a week than I actually bring home. I am looking for a new career as a truck driver I know it will be hard at first with my wife and kid at home but they both know and understand I hopefully will be making more than $150 a week. According to my recruiter since I live in Kansas I will be a regional flatbed bed driverand should be home every 7-14 days. I know in order to make money I need to be on the road. Is there any good advice anybody has for me? I hope to show up with my permit and the air brake and combo endorsments is that a wise thing to do or should I wait till I am in Springfield to get them. I was told it would be 2-4 weeks before I start getting paid, it that about right? Then it is 4-6 weeks of $600 a week while I am training, its that accurate? Sorry for the same questions I am sure you all have heard before but it helps me confirm I have made a wise choice in who to drive for. The only other places I was considering was Central or Swift and Swift was just because of their hub in Edwardsville. Any advice will help please and thank you all.
     
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  3. Freezer Burn

    Freezer Burn Light Load Member

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    Jun 20, 2012
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    Hello Firefox,

    I would say get hazmat as well, why not get them all, never worry about it again. Much better to obtain CDL permit before leaving - much less pressure/studying that way. You will be ahead of the game. Good luck and keep us all posted on your progress,

    Regards,
    FB
     
  4. Highway101

    Highway101 Road Train Member

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    Sep 19, 2011
    Fallon, Nevada
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    Hey
    Word of advice, recruiters will pretty much tell you anything lol. Plan on being home every 3-4 weeks after TNT training. That way you won't be surprised when you don't make it home every 7-14 days.
    Figure 3-4 weeks of PSD training and 200.00 a week that you will have to pay back at 25.00 per week. Then TNT training figure 6-8 weeks at 600.00 per week. Best to talk to ORD as he is flatbed for Prime on anything about flatbedding.

    While your getting your permits, DO NOT get Haz Mat as you will be licensed in MO at 1st till you transfer your license to Kansas. Don't think Haz Mat transfers, and no since it paying twice for the background check. Of course I could be wrong.
    Hope this helps you
     
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  5. firefox3006

    firefox3006 Bobtail Member

    17
    2
    Jul 27, 2012
    Richmond, Kansas
    0

    I was under the impression was for food if needed. And it was optional if I took it. Is that not correct? I just want to drive my butt offf and make my family some money for a change instead of feeling like I am a drain on them. Thanks
     
  6. DragonTamerBrat

    DragonTamerBrat Road Train Member

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    Jun 6, 2011
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    The $200/week is optional. You don't have to take it. It's available, but if you don't use it, they don't charge you for it.

    Hwy101 is right. Get your fingers dusted, so that when you get home to xfer your license, you can take your hazmat then. It doesn't xfer from one state to the other many times, if at all. Also, the TSA can take their own sweet time getting that letter back to you. Officially, they tell you 4 - 6 weeks. I've seen some come in at 2 weeks, and JCW's took the whole 6.
     
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  7. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

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    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
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    Im innocent til I admit otherwise..... What happened?
     
  8. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

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    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
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    Only regional Im aware of is Texas Regional. We do have a dedicated account out of a place in Kansas howerver.
     
  9. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
    12,015
    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
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    That's not what your cat said!

    Don't worry about the hazmat test until you have your CDL. You can go ahead and get your background check out of the way now - because as DTB points out it takes awhile. When you transfer your license from MO back to your home state, you will have to take the hazmat test again. In fact you get to take it every time you go renew your license as well.
     
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  10. GAlanFink

    GAlanFink Medium Load Member

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    May 8, 2012
    Bucks County, PA
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    HazMat has gotten me passed every Port Authority I've been to. TWIC is a money grab and I won't do it in spite of the fact that my company says they will 'reimburse' me for getting it (if they really want me to get it, let them PAY for it up front).

    I had a bad experience with C.R. England doing what you are talking about doing with Prime. Granted, I walked in having my CDL already but they (being the money-grabbing Mormons they are), insisted that I become 'familiar' with the 'system' (like they are any different than anyone else).

    They too promised I'd be home every 3-4 weeks (I came home 5 months later after I quit).

    Recruiters are liars. If it isn't written down, don't believe it.

    On the bright side... I work for Foodliner now.
     
  11. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
    12,015
    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
    0
    So... having never worked for Prime, you know all about this do ya?

    We pull out of ports, so you need your TWIC. Cheaper than paying the escort fee over, and over, and over...

    I've never had a problem getting hometime, when I requested it.

    I think most of us will agree that our recruiters were straight with us.

    Go troll elsewhere.
     
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