PRIME NEWBIES~Any comments from orientation?

You'll come back into the yard and go through the ACE-I upgrade classes. At the END of that process, you'll go down to leasing and get a tractor assigned. Yup, I know you're company, but they're the ones with the rides and the keys...

When I got my new machine, "Travis" called names and took us down in small groups rather than a huge rush over to the leasing office. I would think it's not any different for the company side now. Machines are assigned according to what's available the day you go over there. If all they have are lightweights... that's what you get to pick from. Chances are there will be a larger tractor available.

 

How small are the lightweight tractors? Is there pictures that I can see?

 

They're not that bad... I think its a 56" sleeper rather than a 72" in the condo tractors. I'm relying on my quite faulty memory for those numbers, so don't be quoting me. Google the tractor manufacturer's websites for pic's.

Mid roof, one bunk bed... harder to stand up in. There is less storage room in them, and no passenger seat up front. It just means that you're going to be more choosey on what to bring, and need to be a little creative in how you stow your stuff. The spot where the passengers seat was seems to be the location of choice for a larger fridge than what you can stuff into one of the bigger tractors. Additional storage can be gained by constructing a small bench/shelves that fits into to bunk with room for your feet beneath the shelves, etc...

There are ways of making it work for you. The big drawback I see in them is they still haven't decided on an APU for them. There is a bunk heater for winter, but they need to do something about cooling for the summer - which is becoming less of a concern for the next few months.

 

How long are the classes? And, if I get a new Pete, will I be able to switch out when a larger one becomes avail.?

 

At the time I went through it, the driving test was Monday - unless you couldn't manage to get it done, then it carried over into Tuesday. Two days of classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, tractor assignment on Thursday. That's all subject to whatever they've changed in the last 3 years.

Once you get assigned a tractor, you're in it until its called back in around 500,000 miles or three years. When I got my first tractor, Freightliner was going through a production hiccup - end of year shutdown, plus Prime wanted the Century production line kept open instead of taking the first Cascadias off of the Saltillo production line. I got a high-mileage Century for about 90 days, then into a unit with about 9 months on it. If you don't like the new ones, you could always take out an older one (subject to that days' availability) and hope the selection changes when you bring it back in. My choice was take it or sit in the hotel until something else came in.

 

Ok, I was just thinkin way ahead about bringing the wife out every now and again, and it would really help if there were a seat for her.
Hey IP, any idea how long U2 and sazook are home for?

 

It's usually helpful...

Ahhh.... those slackers didn't check with me first! I suspect they'll be back out and ready to go Monday.

 

Yeah, I don't think she'd appreciate having to sit on the floor. Hey!! You could rig up a milk crate for her!!

 

Exactly what I am talking about. Not set up for the driver who stays on the road for weeks. 56" you could not even lay fully streachd outAnyway thanks for the reply. Hopefully they will have a full size when I get there. Only 4-5 weeks left sure am looking forward to getting my own tractor. And setting it up my way, and finally have room for my stuff.

 

That would be 56" from front to back of the sleeper. The bunk is mounted sideways, and is around 100" long - the same as in a full size condo. Just imagine a sleeper without the two vertical cabinet stacks.