Looking For A Prime Instructor For PSD

Hi everyone, I've been in Springfield since last Monday and am looking for a prime instructor who can get this going. I'm from California but I'm not necessarily picky about getting home right now. I'm just looking at getting trained so I can get my CDL. I'm okay with waiting for the right opportunity, I'm just curious if there is anyone available. I figure it can't hurt to try.

Thank you

Jeremy, while there's no excuse for it taking a month there has been many obstacles that have hurt you along the way.

1st: a lot of instructors take 4-7 days off for the 4th of July holiday. Going to school for a company that is already extremely short on instructors during a major holiday really hurts your chances.

2nd: by being a smoker you're reducing your chances by 50%. From what I hear, Prime has no non-smoking instructors than smoking instructors. So by being a smoker you're actually setting yourself up to be a potential student to only half of the already short list of instructors.

3rd: yes, location matters. This is why people from the Bronx and NJ always have a difficult time finding an instructor. CA has just as much bs if not more than those states. A lot of truckers simply refuse to even run CA - I know 3 off the top of my head.

4th: most, not all, instructors want to also do the TNT phase with their student. I'm one of them. I can tell you right now I see no profit by being an instructor over driving a LW truck. I'm taking my student through the TNT phase because that's where the money is at. And since you live in CA lots of folks won't run that area and as a result won't take you because they'll have to deal with the BS that is CA to get you on your hometime.

5: as funny as this sounds coming from a fellow youngster, a lot of instructors just don't want to train young students. They think young drivers are not responsible, immature, and are simply harder to work with. Case in point, my student hates using a GOAL - that's the young ****y attitude that young people have an is very unattractive to someone of age.

There's no excuse for Prime, the fact that you're waiting a month is pathetic on their part. There's no excuse for this. But there are lots of things that are hurting your chances as I mentioned above.

Here's what you need to do. Today is Friday and today is where the new instructors finish their class. Seek them out at the building in Prime East. If you see a tractor there, ask the driver if he would consider training you.

If that doesn't work today then here's your next gameplan.

Do not go to Prime East anymore. That place will do you no good after today. They'll be a new class of instructors on Monday at Prime East but don't be spending your time there anymore. We don't have until Friday to just wait for them again.

Go to the examiners pad near the main terminal. You'll see 10-25 students taking their exam every day. Here's what you do.

1: talk to the instructors! They'll be inside the small guard shack building during their test or sitting in their trucks if they aren't testing.

2: ask them to take you on as a student if possible. Get their phone number, do anything to get in with them even if that means waiting until their current student passes.

3: don't be picky go get who you get. At this point you need to take the first offer that pops up.

You need to avoid Prime East after today and go to the heart of where the PSD instructors are. You'll hear a lot say "oh sorry I can't I'm taking my student through the TNT phase" and that's fine. Just move on but before you do that ask them if they know any instructor who is looking for a student.

There are instructors becoming available every day. You should get one if you do what I suggested. I would also talk to Stan about this issue and ask him if he can help you get an instructor.

You've been waiting a month?? That's shameful, really. Shame on Prime for letting that happen to someone.

Jeremy, you're awesome for hangin in there and staying positive. It seems you must realize that this will all be trivial someday - just a story to tell people about how difficult it was to get started in this industry. Don't give up on it. Hang in there and stay focused on the goal.

Most people who would say they failed to reach a goal didn't really fail. They quit before they succeeded. Determination is a prominent trait in all successful people. If you hang in there, keep a great attitude, and do whatever it takes to make this happen then it will happen. It happens differently for each person and the road is rarely easy nor fair. But once you get where you want to go the challenges will just make it that much sweeter.

Hang in there man! Prime's a great company but they're dropping the ball on this one. But don't let that deter you. They'll get this fixed and you'll be rewarded many times over for staying the course.

Where in CA are you from? Smoker/Non-Smoker? Age?

And lastly, do you listen to rap music?

I'm a smoker, I can get nicotine patches though wouldn't be the first time. From Auburn, CA about 40 miles from Sacramento. And no, I don't prefer rap. I don't hate it, but I sure as hell don't prefer it.

Well dang, if you listened to rap I was gonna suggest Terry C.

Well dang, if you listened to rap I was gonna suggest Terry C.

I talked to him a couple days ago, he told me that his favorite song is "Thug Life" by Tupac. He is a man that definitely lives life on the edge day and night!

Sorry I hijacked your thread. I'll be looking myself the week of or after the 13th.

Last thread Terry put on here he was saying how he couldn't stand rap music. Haha. Anyways, I'm just going to keep being patient and look around. Theres about 30 of us left and anther group coming in tomorrow. Looks like a backup because of the holidays, everyone is going home for the 4th of July. I'll be sitting around learning my pre-trip over and over again. I have it all down right now except for the in cab inspection. Could probably rattle through it all in less than 30 minutes no problem.

I got to drive around the industrial area today a little bit though which was pretty fun. I know it's going to be different when they put a trailer on the truck but just have to be confident and safe. Traffic sure is impatient in this area about truckers in training. I imagine they deal with it often around here though and just don't care.

Well I should have guessed there are not too many individuals here in springfield from California. Looks like I'll be here for a minute. Bunch of people from the next class are taking off before I do. I must be doing something wrong or people just don't like California in the industry.

You may be from CA, but you need to advertise your other qualities first.

1: you have a great, positive attitude and are eager to learn.

2: you already know most of the Pretrip Inspection.

3: you are calm, cool and collective.

Lots of people have a rough start in the industry, OS is one of them, but that shouldn't shape your future. I am with a student right now so I'm not available but I won't do smokers.

Lots of drivers do hate CA, and most are looking to take the student through the TNT phase. You being from CA means they'll have to deal with the CA DOT every month. But dont go looking for an instructor based on their location, just find one that's available and go with it. The instructors get a list of priority students (your name will be on there) and they are to call the priority students for a phone interview. Be sure to tell them that you really want this opportunity and highlight your features.