Prime CDL Training - Springfield, MO
Topic 24301 | Page 14
Great ad for leasing huh?
heres a tidbit for you.. Lease ops do have a breakdown pay in their contract and a loaner truck clause. So IF he wanted to run, he could.
BUT.. he should have money in an E fund. That is all on him and frankly, its none of your business. he shouldnt be dumping it on you.
jist get through this and get your own COMPANY truck. as far as the "Prime really screwed him and did it wrong" well...that might not be true. i know lease people who claim crap like this and either they tried to save money on a part not under warranty or they didnt want to wait for an appt and took it elsewhere.
just hang in there.
The ad for leasing was his 2017 W-2 from Prime. Gross pay $328,000. He readily admitted he only took home half....but still! He's been a trucker for only 2.5 years total...all with Prime.
No the issue is Prime acknowledging they screwed up when they refilled his tire fund, and then refused to refill his emergency fund which is substantially less than what he actually lost. (I didn't say he didn't have one). If anyone else had been at fault....host of support folks at Prime would've has his back, but now he's getting cold shoulder.
And you don't make an official request on Qualcomm to talk to the CEO unless you are damn sure of the facts/situation. He's still got 6 mos left on his 3 year lease.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Jason,
Stay out of this lease driver/company spat. You have sided with the driver when he is not telling you the entire story. This is the same as buying into the terminal rat venom, IMO, and can only be detrimental to your progress as a driver trainee. Attitude is a big part of success as a student. If you have the attitude that the company is the villain you will build mental barriers that obstruct positive learning processes. If the trainer insists on venting to you, answer, "Yes Sir, No Sir" and don't let influence you against the company. Keep and open mind and positive attitude.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
The ad for leasing was his 2017 W-2 from Prime. Gross pay $328,000. He readily admitted he only took home half
Two things here Jason. First, you never saw this W-2, because it doesn't exist. He may have told you some numbers, but if he showed you anything, it wasn't a W-2. Lease operators don't get a W-2.
Second, if he generated 328,000 dollars, I doubt he took home half of it. I realize he thinks that and says it, but my accounting experience tells me something different. What you want to know is what he reported on his tax return as his income. I doubt you'll ever hear him refer to that number. That number is going to be much closer to 70,000 dollars, if I know what I'm talking about.
Focus on knocking out that next 10,000 miles. You're getting way too distracted with this obsessed trainer, and you have only his side of this "Prime really screwed me over" story. It's all wasted efforts on your part to be involved in this.
I had a similar trainer who was always trying to get me involved in his own personal drama. It will speak well for your ability to focus on the task at hand if you can figure out how to extricate yourself from these distractions. As a driver, there will be things every day that potentially can steal your focus. Start learning now to discipline your mind to focus on what you need to get the job done. Everything else can wait.
Don't Be Fooled By Owner Operator Math
Owner Operator:
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
The ad for leasing was his 2017 W-2 from Prime. Gross pay $328,000. He readily admitted he only took home half....but still! He's been a trucker for only 2.5 years total...all with Prime.
No the issue is Prime acknowledging they screwed up when they refilled his tire fund, and then refused to refill his emergency fund which is substantially less than what he actually lost. (I didn't say he didn't have one). If anyone else had been at fault....host of support folks at Prime would've has his back, but now he's getting cold shoulder.
And you don't make an official request on Qualcomm to talk to the CEO unless you are damn sure of the facts/situation. He's still got 6 mos left on his 3 year lease.
All i am going to say is good luck Jason.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hey folks! Sorry for no update, plans have changed for me so I haven't really thought about getting an update up.
I finished up my psd training a couple weeks ago. We got back and got in backing training and got ready to test out. I felt pretty confident but it took me three tries to finally get it but I did. Backing is tough!
After passing I decided it was time for me to head home and get some family time. Spoke with office folks and they weren't very happy about it but I just couldn't stay out any longer.
I knew it was going to be hard to handle the separation from my family. After a month passed it all started to become too much. Soon all I could think about was going home. So I let them know and have been home since.
This is where my otr journey ends. I simply cannot emotionally handle it. I came into this knowing it would be hard but hoped I could find a way but I just can't. You guys out on the road are warriors, it's though.
I enjoyed the job, the driving, the experience that comes with it. Prime has a solid training program and my psd trainer did a great job being patience throughout my struggles. I wish I could see it through but I just know it won't happen.
I thank everyone for their advice and support through everything. I regret nothing and would recommend Prime to anyone. I'll have to pay back for the training but it's on me and I'll be taking care of it.
I did find a local job though. It's a straight truck but it pays well and will get me home everyday. It will allow me to take care of my family and financial responsibilities. Without Prime I wouldn't be at this point either.
I wish everyone the best and hope to stick around and keep up with everyone. Thanks again.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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.
Well, sorry to hear you go, and dont be a stranger.
OTR is not for.everyone and handling it like a professional is the way to do it. If things ever change, or perhaps you can bring your significant other on the road, then the door is open.
Good luck to you and I wish you all the best.
For future folks reading...notice he didn't blame anyone over failing the test before finally succeeding? Notice how he relayed his need to be home in a professional manner without blame or insult? And most of all, he accepts the responsibility of the contract he signed with every intention of paying it off. He is a stand up guy.
Way to go Britton!!!
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.
I completely agree with Rainy. Britton, every one of us knows the struggles you dealt with. This job is tough on married couples and parents. There's just no getting around that. Congratulations on finding local employment. Be really careful and cautious - you're the new guy - you're the easiest to let go. Those jobs can be real tough, and oftentimes require the same long hours as an OTR driving job.
We would love to hear an update every now and then. You could provide some helpful insight to starting out as a local driver.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Good for you Britton figuring it out early and getting something else lined up.
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I ran into Britton at the Campus Inn week before last; he was waiting for a TNT. He didn’t seemed OK.
My dispatcher wanted an update on my 2nd TNT trainer... I replied “0 of 2”.
At this point I don’t want to see what’s behind door #3... I just this over with! My new trainer isn’t a bad guy at all, but he’s preoccupied, angry, and (I suspect his obsessing over the situation is making him) sick. Three things that make poor trainers.
Prime really screwed him over. He took his truck to Prime Mechanic shop to get the ABS valve on his tractor repaired after it failed and they installed it backwards! [Essentially any braking that would trigger ABS caused all 4 of his service tires on the tractor to lock up completely] A mistake that cost him 3-4 settlements (almost a month of down time). Seems the Peterbilt dealership finally figured it out. Now Prime replaced the tires that were damaged; but down time? So sorry- SOL.
He’s lease...but 3-4 settlements would be bad for anyone; but because he’s lease- he can’t litigate. Prime’s hiding behind the arbitration agreement. Thursday he had me send a QC message to dispatch asking for a sit down with Robert Lowe.
Trainer’s never going to let this go; so he’s short tempered, impatient, and distracted leaving him little time for me. Twice now we show up for a delivery, wide open parking lot, no other trucks or activity nearby, and he’s kicked me out of the drivers seat because he feels nauseous and wants his bed.
I’ve got 10K miles left on my 30K requirement.
Hope Britton and others are doing better.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.