It's Prime Time!
Topic 575 | Page 1
Allan,
That's great news..I'm also looking at Prime and have had a pre-hire offer..I will following closely to your experience to build on when it comes time to make my decision...Good Luck. 
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
In two days I'm leaving on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again...yeah, it's cheesy but admit it, when you read that you did it in the tune of the song ;) I start orientation/training/boot camp with Prime on Tuesday May 7th. I have worked hard to save money for this day so that I could have a nice back-up in the bank for the first few weeks.
So yeah, about that whole jet plane thing. I got the confirmation email from my recruiter with the grey dog info on it and hit the greyhound site looking up the itinerary for that particular bus ride...23 hours, about 15 stops, leaving on Sunday at 7:30pm and arriving on Monday evening. Hmmm...do I want to arrived disheveled and worn out, only to spend a couple of hours filling out that infamous golden packet that Prime hands you at check-in or do I want to spend a few dollars, arrive in a very reasonable amount of time, and have Sunday evening and all day Monday to fill out that packet. Yep, called my recruiter, was advised that I would be reimbursed up to a certain point on the ticket and also told that it would be ok to arrive a day early (on Sunday)! I found a pretty decent deal on a ticket ($240 from Columbia, SC to Springfield, MO) and I can't wait for Sunday to get here!
My duffel is packed with clothes, toiletries, etc. My carry on is packed with all my paperwork and my two e-readers. It's getting real, especially today for some reason.
I will do my best to update as much as possible. With Prime you spend 4 days at orientation before heading out for PSD for 2 to 4 weeks. You then come back and test out for your CDL and begin the TnT portion for the next 6-8 weeks. At that time you test out to upgrade to your own truck! I am following Prime's recommendation and arriving with my CDL permit in hand. This means that I can jump right into the simulator after clearing the paperwork, physical, and orientation without worrying about studying for my permit and passing the tests. A big thank you is offered here for Brett, and/or anyone else involved, and the development of the training program here. After just one time through the main areas needed for my permit (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination) I absolutely killed the test here in SC. Please do yourself a favor and do the program. It will help you pass. When the time comes to get my hazmat , tanker, and doubles/triples I will be hitting the program again with full knowledge and faith that I will once again nail the test.
Stay safe out there everyone!
Wow another Carolina here! Go Game****s! That's good that you found an airline that was a decent price I went with the grey dog.. I leave next Saturday for Quality Drivers. Good luck to you! I didn't have the option to get my permit as Indiana will make me get a new one. I wanted to so many times though.. The training program here has been a GOD SEND!
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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.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.
Best of luck! We'll be following along with ya.
I would advise you to try to squeeze in the logbook section of the High Road Training Program as soon as possible. The rules are really challenging and the better you know them the better off you'll be.
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.
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Good luck to ya! I'm heading to Prime myself next month and I'm eating up as much info as I can about their training program so I know what to expect when I get there. I look forward to reading your updates!
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Brett, I am going to start the logbook today when I get to Springfield. Houkie, good luck with your training. Not much to report yet. Sitting at O'Hare waiting on my flight to Springfield. Stay safe folks.
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
Well, I made it! Sitting in my room at The Campus Inn. Thankfully we have free wi-fi and the rooms are more than adequate. I got here a day earlier than most, which turned out to be an excellent move. Yeah, I had to pay for most of my flight but that is where proper preparation comes in. I saved enough to not be hurting financially at this time. I get to move a day ahead of all the other PSD students tomorrow as well. I will do all my paperwork in the morning then get in the sims here at 4 pm. That is pretty much the rest of my week with drug testing and DOT physical in there somewhere. If you're coming to prime get your permit. It will get you ahead of the game.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.
Sounds great already! Well prepared and ahead of the game. Awesome feeling I'm sure!
Sorry for the long delay, I have thankfully been busy. I finished up orientation on Friday and headed out with my instructor who will also be my trainer when I test out for my CDL. I went into the program wanting to do my best and be serious in everything that the company threw at me hoping to impress an instructor. It worked. I was asked on Wednesday by my now instructor if I wanted to learn with him. We talked for a while and so here we are! My first load has been delivered and we are waiting on number 2! So far, life is good
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.
Sorry for the long delay, I have thankfully been busy. I finished up orientation on Friday and headed out with my instructor who will also be my trainer when I test out for my CDL. I went into the program wanting to do my best and be serious in everything that the company threw at me hoping to impress an instructor. It worked. I was asked on Wednesday by my now instructor if I wanted to learn with him. We talked for a while and so here we are! My first load has been delivered and we are waiting on number 2! So far, life is good
SWEET!! When you get some time, I would love to hear about your experience in orientation..you can PM me if you like..
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.
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In two days I'm leaving on a jet plane, I don't know when I'll be back again...yeah, it's cheesy but admit it, when you read that you did it in the tune of the song ;) I start orientation/training/boot camp with Prime on Tuesday May 7th. I have worked hard to save money for this day so that I could have a nice back-up in the bank for the first few weeks.
So yeah, about that whole jet plane thing. I got the confirmation email from my recruiter with the grey dog info on it and hit the greyhound site looking up the itinerary for that particular bus ride...23 hours, about 15 stops, leaving on Sunday at 7:30pm and arriving on Monday evening. Hmmm...do I want to arrived disheveled and worn out, only to spend a couple of hours filling out that infamous golden packet that Prime hands you at check-in or do I want to spend a few dollars, arrive in a very reasonable amount of time, and have Sunday evening and all day Monday to fill out that packet. Yep, called my recruiter, was advised that I would be reimbursed up to a certain point on the ticket and also told that it would be ok to arrive a day early (on Sunday)! I found a pretty decent deal on a ticket ($240 from Columbia, SC to Springfield, MO) and I can't wait for Sunday to get here!
My duffel is packed with clothes, toiletries, etc. My carry on is packed with all my paperwork and my two e-readers. It's getting real, especially today for some reason.
I will do my best to update as much as possible. With Prime you spend 4 days at orientation before heading out for PSD for 2 to 4 weeks. You then come back and test out for your CDL and begin the TnT portion for the next 6-8 weeks. At that time you test out to upgrade to your own truck! I am following Prime's recommendation and arriving with my CDL permit in hand. This means that I can jump right into the simulator after clearing the paperwork, physical, and orientation without worrying about studying for my permit and passing the tests. A big thank you is offered here for Brett, and/or anyone else involved, and the development of the training program here. After just one time through the main areas needed for my permit (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination) I absolutely killed the test here in SC. Please do yourself a favor and do the program. It will help you pass. When the time comes to get my hazmat , tanker, and doubles/triples I will be hitting the program again with full knowledge and faith that I will once again nail the test.
Stay safe out there everyone!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.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
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
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.