So, Tried CSRT

I just threw another application at Prime. When I first began this more than a month ago, I applied to them and it got kicked back. Now that I've got a CDL permit and a health card, maybe it'll be different this time. I've also got applications pending with Swift, the school AIT, and there's another school I might hit locally. But to go to an actual *school,* I'll need financial aid just to eat, have a place to live and even physically get there and/or commute, but even so, I'm sort of wondering if this might be the better idea anyway.

Does anyone have any experience with Prime's trucking school? If so, how does it compare to CRST and Kirkwood/NADTA? Kirkwood said I basically need more time behind a wheel than they can give me (even with a restart--I feel pretty boneheaded because of that)...

Ray, we've had several people go through the Prime training program. You can find their training experience cataloged over in our CDL Training Diaries Forum.

Prime is thorough and once your done you will be earning some of the highest rookie pay available.

Until you have tried I wouldn't say you cant get a student loan or pell grant. They pretty much accept everyone for the loan and you might get lucky and get a grant. Talk to the financial aid department before simply giving up.

Tried. No luck there. I have some loans in default, so that was a nonstarter.

Prime has pretty purple trucks.

Yes they Do....LOL and .43 cents a mile for new Company Drivers after training...!

Ken C.

...in Cedar Rapids, IA. And I bombed out of it. Kirkwood cut me from the program. They suggested that what I might benefit from would be a longer training school with more time behind a wheel, but my butt is pretty much broke at this point and I'm not sure I qualify for any kind of student loan. Apparently CSRT has some...issues, according to some of the other trainees and some of the trainers, even. Can anyone suggest to me a good Plan B--either a good company with a decent training program I can contact who might be willing to take me, or a school or something? I don't want to give up on this yet, and I've got a learner's permit and a health card at this point...I applied to Prime early on but CSRT got to me first, and Prime would not have taken me anyway due to some irregularities in my employment background...

I head the same thing about CRST and C.R. England. One instructor at my school says they leave new drivers stranded and don't give them much support.

Ray, we've had several people go through the Prime training program. You can find their training experience cataloged over in our CDL Training Diaries Forum.

Prime is thorough and once your done you will be earning some of the highest rookie pay available.

Do they still send you through the program if you're a CDL grad? Because I would like as much training as I can get.

I head the same thing about CRST and C.R. England. One instructor at my school says they leave new drivers stranded and don't give them much support.

That's ridiculous. I mean, these companies have been around for decades. Does it make sense to think they would still be able to attract and retain thousands of drivers if that's how they treated everyone? Of course not. Ignore that kind of garbage.

Do they still send you through the program if you're a CDL grad? Because I would like as much training as I can get.

Normally they would not send you through their entire training program if you already have a CDL. They would simply send you on the road with a trainer right away. Their training program is pretty long. I think you'd be out with a trainer for like two or three months. It's a lengthy program.