Hi, Dauminique the Dump Truck Driver. I'm thinking about becoming a trucker. Just a bit nervous, wondering if I can do the job (handle a big rig, hook up everything so that nothing comes loose, not crash and hurt someone, etc.) Did you have any of those concerns? If so, how did you overcome them to pursue this career? Thanks!
I went through a program from the Community College of Philadelphia. It was a 6 month program that included 3 months in class and 3 months on the road. It was a great program.
I went through company sponsored training.....Raider Express located in Fort Worth. I can say, regardless of the schooling route you take, nothing can prepare you for the challenges that lie out here in the real world. Every day presents an opportunity to learn because the circumstances presented to you are always just a bit different even though the said goal is the same result. Keep posting your informative videos because you present things in such a simplistic way that even I can understand and relate. Your students are lucky to have such a good resource as yourself to help them along in their chosen path.
💋 do not put yourself down. And you are right... Every day is a learning experience even after being out here for years. How long have u been driving and do u like ur company?
@@TruckerKearsey 5 months solo....the company seems to be okay. They keep me rolling. But there is alot of negativity from the other drivers I come across out on the road. I just want miles so I keep to myself and just deliver.
I found that the more I back more intuitive it becomes. feel like I'm building up better instincts when I'm watching my trailer and the direction I'm turning my steering wheel. Thanks for sharing your experience about CDL School. I think Prime has a great program.
Yeah everyone needs to practice. And even experienced drivers have a bad day. The second nature kicks in and then it becomes hard to teach because we just "do it" now.
When going to a company school, the company has a vested interest in the success of the student. During the three weeks, we only spent one week on the range and one week on the road. The real driving happened during the one-on-one training. (I went to Millis Transfer)
I'm coming to Prime. I almost joined a CDL school and realized that it made more sense to go with a company and get the experience while learning. Plus payments are reduced (if there are any payments)
Hello and awesome! There are NO payments. Stay a year, and the loan is forgiven. A lot of people go a local school route then cant get hired due to their background. It sucks schools do that to people. Maureen in this video is still working here at Prime on a dedicated account and loves it. Email me truckingalongfun@gmail.com
I went to a private school in Los Angeles for 2 main reasons 1. No contract 2. No restrictions on my license most big companies have automatic transmission so if you go to a smaller company with older trucks they will have manual and you can’t drive for them with the restrictions.
Had I known I was coming to Prime I wouldn’t have paid for my own one on one $4800 trucking school since I have to make up the miles anyway. That said I won’t have to deal with the hassle of getting the CDL and I can concentrate on training. All good.
Currently going through Primes training right now in Salt Lake City Utah, I did not get matched with a PSD trainer so I've been going through the local program here and tbh it's been amazing in the local program I get a lot of backing practice :D. It's been pretty awesome so far, Ill probably be testing next week :D Cant wait to pass and get a TNT trainer :D Honestly this program has been great so far and would suggest to everyone :D
Felons can get a second chance at your local community college trucking school with Pell grant and work opportunity grant. This is what my brother did. He's a truck driver too now.
Great for him. But be aware just because you get a CDL it does not mean a felon would get hired by a company of his choice. Most local schools will take the money and not inform people of possible problems.
Good morning, great video , I’m following and learning from you since last year , today iOS my first anniversary with Swift, I’m from Montclair California, swift academy and now the company has been great fit for me , but I like to follow and learn from other experience drivers like you and Busy Blake and Jr Honduras and you know is been so helpful all the positive tools and resources and advices that you can get from positive drivers , it doesn’t matter where they work or represent, I personally know very well Prime due to my researches and know history as well of company, any how thank you for the great job you do , I’m happy to see your back and please continue doing the great job you do thank you 🙏 safe travels and God Bless you and all of us colleagues on the road !!!👍
💋 thank you so much!! And if you ever see me on the road be sure to say hi. I would like to figure out how to interview people... My internet didnt allow it before.. But im getting there.
There is not trucking company in Alaska that has training. Your only options are two VERY expensive schools and one uses older trucks w/out cabs and one 28-foot trailer. So you are not really learning with the best equipment, but the program is self-paced and one on one. The other program is about $2-3k more than the first mentioned. This is not one on one training, although, supposedly many companies come from the lower 48 to hire new drivers. There is an additional cost to figure out housing and food for the six weeks if you are not from that city. They do offer several different programs and have decent reviews. Unfortunately, some companies (likely most) are not interested in someone from Alaska due to logistical issues. There is also a risk on both parties and a cost. I have been toying with the idea of a CDL for the last 17 years and believe that now is the right time. We (my family) are saving to pay for the first option because that is the best option. I am still open to leaving for the lower 48 to work on my CDL should the right opportunity arise.
I did get one on one training but did not run any loads. All pad time except to drive the cdl test routes. I did trifecta on 10/21/20. Looking forward to my tnt training.
Ms. Kearsey, love your content! I have a quick question, does prime provide APUs for company drivers? I don't think I've seen other drivers mention it who weren't L/O. Thank you.
I disagree with your student because companies who teach CDL make you do time with that like 1 year and then they basically owe u and if u leave early u owe them money
If I get my class A privately in Arkansas will Prime or any company hire me as I keep hearing that most employers want an accredited school-I am trying not make a contract commitment -thanks in advance.
There is no such thing as an accredited. CDL school. What is required is a 160 hour training certificate. However Prime would require you to do an additional 10k miles with a team trainer and would pay. you less for the first 2 weeks of training ($600 gross instead of $700). I hear the complaints about contracts all the time. Truth is you should stay at the first company a year anyway. If you leave after a few months then go elsewhere, the new company is more likely to fire you for small crap due to you being hired as an experienced driver. The training company will expect fender benders and dumb rookie mistakes. Plus...at prime you don't pay anything all at for schooling unless you leave. So if you are willing to pay anyway... Why not try to get it for free first? Also.... Some CDL schools lie. They will tell you things like your RX meds will be ok....your tickets, DUI or felony background. DOT has minimum requirements while companies can be much stricter. So some.people pay thousands for school then cant get hired. If it takes a few months to get hired, your school certificate is stale and the companies want re-schooling! Why does Prime pay less and make CDL grads do longer training? Because Prime school is one on one and much more intensive than local schools. We use the new trucks you will be driving not a 20 year old clunker. And rather than you only getting 20 minutes several days a week because you are sharing that clunker with 4 other students....you get the instructor's undivided attention. Prime also only pays $1500 for tuition reimbursement and will not allow outside grads to partake of the early team upgrade option. At 30k team training miles Prime grads have the option to go company team if they agree to do it for 120 days. At that point they get full team pay which amounts to $1500-$2000ish gross per week.
Ok-gotcha-I am a bus driver and the district is going to help me get a class A but no certificate-so I am wondering if a mega carrier would start me at the very beginning or what my options are-thanks again-Ken/Springdale
My guess is that they may have you do a "refresher course". At Prime that is basically the same course the permit holders do less the exam. That is my best guess. I suggest you ask a recruiter.
Depends on section. You can fail pre trip and backing more. It is state law that 3rd driving g test fail has to wait a year. However....they will work with you and even give different instructors to get you to pass.
I think this was a good video that you did. Showing both sides of the coin. Giving different perspectives makes a decision a little easier. I looked at your description of the video and saw that you had a bunch of different links to items that you use. Are they really that good? I know the GPS is not 100% accurate, but overall how does it do?
I really like my Rand McNally. I use it to route to rest areas and truck stop while the company one is set for the customers. It allows me to gauge time better. When getting off main roads I usually use the written directions Prime gives. Drivers who have previously delivered to the location write the directions so no fear of weight limits or low clearances. Any GPS may put you on a bad road though so yes it is a tool not a bible. Oh..and if you buy ANYTHING on amazon using my links....i get a commission and donate it to Meals on Wheels. So even if you buy boots from my GPS link....every penny helps. Thanks
Well that is some good advice splitting it between the rand McNally GPS and the QUALCOMM. Also, I did not know buying boots through the GPS link to Amazon would be possible. I thought that would just direct you to the rand McNally GPS. That is awesome that money goes to Meals on Wheels.
It will take u to amazon... And then anything you buy on. Amazon will count as my link taking u to amazon. Basically they pay me for driving u to amazon. Thanks for your support
Well that is truly awesome. I’m glad there are people out there that are doing this. I also hear so much about you from other Prime RU-vidrs. It’s all good buy the way.
Sorry I don’t care what “TRAINING” per say you go through. You are still extremely green and time behind the wheel is the only remedy. When going through a company sponsored school there is NO WAY I would have earned over 70k my first year. From a business perspective when you go through a company they know you are locked into them for the first year. You are also very limited to what company you go to when going company sponsored. If a bigger paycheck is what your after , company sponsored schools is absolutely not the way to go. At least that’s my opinion and how I see it 🤷🏼♂️. However not everyone has the means to pay their own way to a local school. If this is the case then by all means don’t let a company sponsored school stop you from getting behind the wheel. Just get behind the wheel and start driving.
This all depends on the company. I know flatbedders who made $65-70k their first year at Prime. Our dispatchers earn money on our miles/revenue...not by the hour. So if I am not running they are not earning. And the whole point of our extensive training IS to give the green horn experience with a safety net of a trainer in the truck. From a business perspective ... Prime doesnt want drivers to job hop because they want to keep the experienced drivers and improve the new ones. We have a 35% turnover rate and a 16% weekly rehire rate. That is amazing compared to some other companies. Every company and even every person's experience will be different. It is all about how productive you are and how you manage your time. Prime even gives their lease ops educational classes about running a business because they want people to succeed and stay.
@@TruckerKearsey I had started out in flatbed as well. My experience was that it seemed like companies that had their own CDL schools paid less. Like you said though everyone’s experiences will be different. Depends on the individual
We have one of the highest starting pays in the industry plus our bonus package is great. We start between 46 to 51 cpm plus an average of 6 cpm in weekly bonuses. Running the NE newbies can make 60cpm to start. That isnt bad
@@TruckerKearsey that doesn’t sound bad at all actually. Last I checked though with a recruiter I was told 45 CPM starting out on the reefer side. 🤷🏼♂️. I went with someone else that paid 55 CPM. Again different strokes for different folks. For me the key was finding a company with steady freight and high pay. I consistently run 3k a week because I manage my time to the minute so I wanted to maximize my time out here. I’ve noticed just as I’m sure you have that most people just don’t run that way. They say they do, but the reality is that the definition of “running hard” is perceived differently. To me it’s just working and doing your job 😂
I Ran like that my.first 2 years and paid $70k in debt. I couldnt even afford to go bankrupt. Now I jist enjoy it and bank whatever but run as hard or as little as I want 😂
