Gator's Prime Experience

**DenaliDad** · 12.02.2011

Originally Posted by U2Exit

...Just because Prime lets drivers train somebody after 3 months does not make it right. Anyone who thinks they should be training with less than a year on their own is short changing the trainee with experiance and knowledge.

As one who comes from an industry where new civilian pilots that think they want to make aviation a career often start as flight instructors, training other new pilot-wannabes, I can attest to the seriousness of this misunderstanding. In my almost-45 years in the business, including 25+ years in the DOT regulatory agency that makes and enforces the rules, I never understood why new flight instructors, often with less than 300-500 total flight hours (for the uninitiated, this is like the first 6 months driving a truck) most of which have been logged in training, are allowed to teach others like them.

Like an 80,000 pound truck in inexperienced hands, an airplane can be very unforgiving in bad situations. That knowledge, alone, will keep me out of either the CDL trainer or instructor seat for a very long time.

**Seebs** · 12.02.2011

Originally Posted by gatorbaiter

I have met SEEBS. he is a great guy but young.

What ya trying to say?

**DenaliDad** · 12.02.2011

Originally Posted by Seebs

What ya trying to say?

It's easy: Enjoy your "great guy" while you are "young." As you get older, the crankiness appears. I haven't been called a "great guy" in decades!

**OpenRoadDreamer** · 12.03.2011

That explains soooo very much...

Congrats on everything GB!!! I was down in Florida last week. North cuba, then Orlando before I got out.

**gatorbaiter** · 12.05.2011

Originally Posted by Seebs

What ya trying to say?

nuthin bad. It was off the cuff

**gatorbaiter** · 12.05.2011

Well I finished upgrade on Thursday and then Friday morning I had to redo physical. I opted to get a used fridge put in the truck. What a great choice that was. I have already saved 40 bucks in 4 days by eating out of the truck and buying drinks at wal mart. The fridge was put in while I was at the doc.

Signed the lease and went to walmart and the inn to get my stuff headed back to milbldg. Got dispatched to repower a 2 stop load. Headed out. No issues got to the 02 in Chicago. The people in the windy city will have avocados. went to the TA after the guard at the industrial park said there was no overnight parking avail. Bummer I was tired as heck and only had a hour left to drive. Went to a TA in Gary it was close but packed. Not a spot in sight and I was soo tired. Just as I was ablut to look for a rest area a spot opened up and I slept like a baby. Got up strated to make the truck home then left for the 90.

Got to Cleveland unloaded and got prarked up after visiting 3 truckstops looking for a spot. the TA was a mess twowide and two deep parked up in the exit lane. 5 of us had to back out and then use a fuel lane to leave.

When I got off the trainer's truck he gifted me a flat panel TV. I hooked it up tot he coax in the truck and yea I got to watch Football. Just into the 3rd quarter of the denver game I got called and messaged to rescue a load of meat. It was going to be tight. Got to the 02 at 0200 for my 0300 appt. They don't accept meat until 0600. Well that is trucking. Got the 03 appt fixed with sales and did an 8/2 split. And here I sit on the jersey pike ready to got to the 04 and the 90. Turned out to be a good week even though it started on friday.

The dock in philly was interesting. Thankfully it went right in. I really believe the extra month was worth it form a confidence standpoint.

BTW I was going to go with a shorter lease truck to start with the one I was leaning toward was picked when I went in to get the notes on it. I passed on the others. So I got a NEW cascadia condo Forest Green and I am very happy.

there is a pic in my album

Thanks for those like ip u2 and empton and sazook that by their posts helped me chose prime. I am very happy here

**da1** · 12.05.2011

congrats gb i was going to pm you about your lease was wondering when you left spf your trainer was cool and gifting you the tv was great when i left my fb trainer saturday i didnt even get a goodbye...ha...how much was the used fridge and installation if you dont mind me asking...keep us posted on your progress