Future Primate??? Need Help
Topic 31703 | Page 1
There are lots of other companies out here that will train you and offer you a job upon successful completion. Why not take a look?
Just got off the phone with a prime recruiter, they can't get me in orientation until the middle of may... unless I go tanker, then he can get me in to orientation in 2 weeks. Don't know what to do!!! I have made up my mind that I am going to drive company, and want to be able to run as many miles as possible (to make money). I was leaning toward the refer division. PLEASE HELP!!! Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated
There are lots of other companies out here that will train you and offer you a job upon successful completion. Why not take a look?
Howdy, Robert T., and welcome!
First of all, some good links on our site to read, starting out:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
And secondly, this: Apply For Paid CDL Training
The reply from Prime could very well be due to your location, and their needs at this current time. This is why we recommend members put their location (at least their state) in their profile. Helps us, help you.
We highly suggest not starting out with tankers. It's a whole different ball game than anything van/reefer. I'd suggest you apply above, and we wish you the best!
~ Anne ~
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.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Right now, with the difficulty in getting new equipment, it isnt so much about "they can't get me in" as it is "we expect this equipment to hit our inventory at this time."
By slowing down the PSD new student arrivals, they are staggering the things that happen down the road. One of the key issues right now at Prime is students waiting for trainers. The other end of that, driver's who completed TNT and are waiting for a truck. Last I heard, the upgrade list is running right at 80 people.
If they bring in 30 students a week, that means in roughly 3-4 months they are going to need 15-20 available trucks to put them in. (Let's face it, not everyone that starts, makes it to their own truck, and then the first year.)
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.
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.
If reefer with Prime is the route you really want to go, then waiting a month isn't that long in the grand scheme of things. It's worth waiting 2 more weeks to get in the type of work you want.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
I'm not sure if calling Prime drivers primates would be neutral, an insult or a compliment
Probably depends how the person saying it intended 😂
I'm not sure if calling Prime drivers primates would be neutral, an insult or a compliment
Probably depends how the person saying it intended 😂
Not only am I a primate, but I'm a knuckle dragging primate.
Not only am I a primate, but I'm a knuckle dragging primate.
That's the way we describe all flatbedders
Except for Old School. He has evolved😉
Hey thanks guys for all the suggestions and your insight.
Just an update: My recruiter called last Tuesday and had someone cancel. So, I got to start on Monday. I am currently checked in at the Campus Inn in Springfield, MO. Orientation starts tomorrow.
I am excited and nervous to start a new career, as this is all very new to me. I have never even been in a truck of this size. But can't wait to start.
That's great!
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Just got off the phone with a prime recruiter, they can't get me in orientation until the middle of may... unless I go tanker, then he can get me in to orientation in 2 weeks. Don't know what to do!!! I have made up my mind that I am going to drive company, and want to be able to run as many miles as possible (to make money). I was leaning toward the refer division. PLEASE HELP!!! Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated