Location:
Ventura, CA
Driving Status:
In CDL School
Social Link:
I am on my second and final career. I was recently accepted into Prime's training program and am looking forward to starting. I have spent the last 33 years in the nuclear industry and ready for a change. Its not about the money rather about being happy. My father owned a trucking company and as a kid we would go on a ride along every summer and that is where my drive to do this is coming from. I have a lot of respect for the industry and the impact it has on everyone. I am 50 years old and healthy and intend on learning as much as i can everyday that i am out there. I have a long term ambition to be able at some point when ready to pass this on to the newer and younger generations that will eventually replace us. Being challenged is nothing new to me and looking forward to it.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
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Questions about Prime Truck Driver Training
Thank you both for your replies. I will be talking to a recruiter later today, but I wanted to ask people here so I could compare answers. It help in figuring out if the recruiter is handing you a line of BS. For example this site and even Primes site says you make $600 a week in training but the recruiter said $700. No big deal but it sounded like she was either lying or doesn't know her stuff. BUT then on here one of you said $700 a week. It leads me to change my view and think she does know her stuff and isn't lying. The last thing I want is to get out there and find out for whatever reason I needed something I do not have. PS I really want to thank all of you on this site for everything. I will definitely suggest going to this site for anyone who is even thinking about trucking. It is Top Notch.
You need to understand that websites are not always current. 700 is correct. I am a PSDStudent currently and getting ready to test out on Monday. My recruiter was Grace and she was very upfront but you have to remember that some of them were never drivers and so they may only be answering to a given script. I definitely suggest getting your permit before arriving. I personally witnessed several arriving and departing in my class because they came unprepared and could not pass the exams at the dmv. They are not here to teach you the exam and they do not have time in the schedule for you to study. You come with permit in hand and transfer to MO. You will be ahead of the rest and able to focus on your time here in preparing to drive the truck. If at the end of the first week you decide this is not for you then they get you a ticket home. some others have already answered most of your questions. Come prepared with questions to your recruiter and prime.the whole process is an interview. You need to be prepared and this site is an excellent place to start. Do the high road training program before you take any exams and review your state CDL book to note any state specifics. You can do it need to be committed to be successful. Good luck
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
List of things to pack if you are going to Prime
Hey Lil 1 ragamuffin, don't sit around waiting on them. Pester them with phone calls, they appreciate a pro-active person coming into their program. I promise you that little bit of effort on your part will pay off. It will keep your name at the top of someones list of applications to be worked on, and get it processed quicker.
All you have to do is ask, "Hey I filled out an application recently and I would like to know what the status is?" Trust me, that will help get your's moving to the top of the stack. They are probably going to tell you what else they need from you each time you get through to someone and that will keep things progressing.
Thank you,,,,I called today,,,my recruiter will not be back in until tomorrow.....if I don't hear from her by noon I will call again...... Question,,,,,,,Are there any parts of the CDL testing that you do not need for permit. Just wondering if I have to study doubles and triples if I do not intend to haul them? Thanks,,,,
You need general knowledge, air brakes, combination and tanker. Once you have your CDL A then you will work with you fleet manager to complete your Hazmat in your state. And that is because there a number of steps you have to take to get the endorsement. Don't worry about the date change, just be glad you have a date. That is a big step in itself. The recruiters are processing hundreds of apps every week and they can only process so many students here in Springfield at a time. Once you get here you will understand what I am talking about. For right now study and get your permit. Once you have your permit keep studying because you want to keep the info fresh in your mind and then and only then start working on the pretrip on the high road program along with logging and weights and balances. Very good info.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Getting a CDL permit before going to Prime
Guys I am at Prime right now. Went to the DMV today and transferred my permit to Missouri for only $7.50. It's not that hard. But strongly recommend getting that permit before you arrive. It makes life a whole lot easier when you get here.Wow that's pretty cheap. How are you liking it so far? I know it's only been a few days..
It's been really good. You need to show up ready to and we are not kidding about the hurry up and wait during the first two days. I woke up at five in the morning on Monday and did not pee thinking we were going to start off with the UA test. I held that sucker until 2:30pm. I was floating. This is an example of what we had to go through to complete our medical and the wait for the one on one interview was the same. Be patient and keep a level head through the process and you will persevere. Talk to the instructors and trainers because they are a wealth of information. Listen in class and do not be late. There is a near zero tolerance for this. We will keep you posted as we progress. Tomorrow is a big day for us as we go to the Millenium building and Friday we start training on the pad with real trucks. Good luck to you.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Getting a CDL permit before going to Prime
Well its $35.00 application fee in Georgia plus $10.00 test fee which would pay for the permit if you pass. I have the money for it so I will just do it and hope for the best when I get to Missouri. Heard it was $32.50 in Missouri not sure though.My recruiter (Don) just told me I need to show up with $150 for some administration fee and Prime would take care of everything else. At that time (2 months ago) I had only just realized I was interested in trucking. Thank God I found this site otherwise he would have had me at Prime on Dec 1st 2014 not knowing a damn thing about a damn thing. Don's probably a good dude but without TT I would be looking like a sucker right now and might have been sent home already. My funds are real tight right now and I'm trying to plan accordingly and not alienate particular individuals in the family by giving them the finger and telling them to pound sand. LOL. For every reason not listed on this thread I know I will love this career, I'm just trying not to fall on my face in my haste. I like to be as Stuart Scott once said, "cooler than the other side of the pillow". That guy Thinks Too Much took my forum name! JK. Booya!
The 50 of the 150 is for DMV so in reality you will only spend 7.50 of that if you come with a permit.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
Getting a CDL permit before going to Prime
Make sure to take note of these and ask your recruiter. I will be getting my permit before I go. So I was hoping I wouldn't have to pay twice. Already know my bp and everything else is in order. My recruiter is lane Williams. Great guy and I really make him work with the question I ask. I will be getting a call tomorrow morning from him. So you bet I have even more.That's part of my thinking as well. Why shell out the money up front if Prime will pay for the permit initially then I'll only have to pay out of pocket one time to have the actual license transferred to the state of residence when it's all said and done.
Well its $35.00 application fee in Georgia plus $10.00 test fee which would pay for the permit if you pass. I have the money for it so I will just do it and hope for the best when I get to Missouri. Heard it was $32.50 in Missouri not sure though.
Guys I am at Prime right now. Went to the DMV today and transferred my permit to Missouri for only $7.50. It's not that hard. But strongly recommend getting that permit before you arrive. It makes life a whole lot easier when you get here.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
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Congrats and good luck. I don't think it can be preached enough the High Road Training Program will get you there. I took most of it and passed all 4 test prime required of me in one try. Be ready to hurry up at wait your class maybe smaller then mine so it may be a little easier on you but it is worth it to be patient with everyone they are working hard and fast to get you done.
Again congrats and good luck
I can't agree more. Mikey has a good point about taking the high road program. Study, study and study some more. If at all possible get your permit before you get here because they will not have a class to prep you for the exam. That is all on you and you will already have enough stress with everything else that is going to happen here. Not to scare you but it's the truth. I have seen it for the last two days where some of these folks are now behind or struggling and that is unfortunate. When you get here you need to be a sponge, listen and know the whole process is an interview. And most of all do not be late for anything. When in doubt ask a question. The instructors are very helpful but you are expected to execute all the tasks they assign you. This is a clear demonstration you can take care of yourself and problem solve. This key to being a successful trucker. Good luck to you and look forward to hearing your story.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
List of things to pack if you are going to Prime
Yeah I hear you on that first and last time I hope I every have to take the bus...
Let's just put it this way....It was very educational and a tick in the box to never do again if at all possible. I got to enjoy two people fighting for leg space and one of them eventually getting removed from the bus. I still feel fortunate though because some of our classmates had their bus breakdown and not show up until just before our class started. We definitely have a lot of students and so it challenging the system. Need to be very patient with everybody and get through the initial steps to transition to the next phase. I held off of peeing in hopes of an early UA which did not happen for me until 2:30pm. I could not see straight until this was done. I would like to also take the opportunity to thank Brett and this website he put together because it does make a difference. If anyone who has not started their school I strongly advise completing the HighRoad Training Program and getting your permit if at all possible before arriving. good luck to everyone in this class and future students no matter where you go.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
View Topic:
List of things to pack if you are going to Prime
Hey Greg, you said your eating a box dinner. How did you cook it? Do the rooms have kitchens or something?
No the cafeteria is closed for renovation so the provided a assemble yourself sandwich,chips, cookies and water. It's free and not bad. Cafeteria is to reopen in the morning. Keep your fingers crossed.
Posted: 9 years, 10 months ago
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Crazy truck passing me on video
The company is Houser Transport if you are interested in contacting them to make them aware of the video.
Anchorman has a good point. Better to report him to his company safety than the other suggested way. Although the satisfaction would be immediate the long term affects would not be so good.
Posted: 9 years, 9 months ago
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Well, that was short & sweet . . .
Jopa hope it all turns out well for you. Your health is the most important item as a truck driver. Sorry to hear you had to give up the lease but there will be a new opportunity upon your return. Wish you the best, get some rest and I'm sure the Doc will fix you up and be back on the road soon.