Questions On Hooking Up With Prime Inc
Topic 19005 | Page 1
I've talked to a recruiter and was very pleased with the answers she gave me. I did have several more questions though, and didn't want to pepper her too much, but having my cdl A with tanker endorsement and only having dump truck experience, never did tractor trailer except for my road test 21 years ago, in obtaining it, am interested in going otr , possibly flatbed it tanker. So, what type of finances would I need to get through the schooling I'd need to take again, to get by (food, meals, laundry, etc) until I start receiving actual payroll, and my biggest concern is tractor trailer. Docking, backing in, since all I have is Super 14 and 16 after all these years. Will they teach/refresh you before sending you on the road with a trainer?
I have done flatbed & reefer with Prime, so I can help with that part. As for training, since you do not have any recent OTR experience, you will go out with a trainer for a minimum of 15,000 miles (possibly less, not sure). As for finances, you will be put in the Campus Inn (Prime owns this motel), so your motel/meals during orientation will be paid for (unless you go over the amount allowed for each meal). Laundry facilities are available (very reasonably priced per load). Ask your recruiter what other finances you will need for orientation.
You will be sent out on the road with a trainer at which time you will learn what you need to know (backing/docking/etc) (that's where the 15,000 miles comes in). During your time with a trainer, you will be on the payroll ($700/wk minus taxes).
If you go with flatbed, hopefully you will be able to get someone that is in the flatbed fleet (that will help greatly for securement, etc). One downside to flatbed with Prime is everyone that is solo will pay for your securement equipment (yes, that includes company drivers as well). The cost from last time I checked is $3000+ for all the chains/straps/binders/etc. You do not have to come up with the $3000 up front, you can pay over time (when I did it, about $100/wk for just shy of a year).
Anything else, let me know. I will do my best to help if I can.
Ernie
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
I think the orientation fee is between $100 - $150. However since you have a CDL already that may be different. They will let you know at orientation. I'm is PSD right now with Prime out in Salt Lake City, Utah. I did less than 5k miles before they are going to let me test for the CDL. The miles you do is all about how confident the trainer is in your ability to do this job.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
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I've talked to a recruiter and was very pleased with the answers she gave me. I did have several more questions though, and didn't want to pepper her too much, but having my cdl A with tanker endorsement and only having dump truck experience, never did tractor trailer except for my road test 21 years ago, in obtaining it, am interested in going otr , possibly flatbed it tanker. So, what type of finances would I need to get through the schooling I'd need to take again, to get by (food, meals, laundry, etc) until I start receiving actual payroll, and my biggest concern is tractor trailer. Docking, backing in, since all I have is Super 14 and 16 after all these years. Will they teach/refresh you before sending you on the road with a trainer?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.