Prime Pittston,PA Orientation

Discussion in 'Prime' started by jdmredneck33, Jan 29, 2015.

  1. JimmyBones

    JimmyBones Heavy Load Member

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    May 14, 2011
    Baxley, GA
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    We aren't England. Most of us drivers, whether trainers or not, actually recommend against leasing right away.
     
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  3. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    I know that my post ( if you read it ) was directed at those who do not know that
     
    bigred81 Thanks this.
  4. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
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    Yep... I tell 'em stay company for 2 years at least to get in the swing of things before thinking about it.
     
  5. McCauley

    McCauley Medium Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2013
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    What do they learn in those 2 years, specifically, that makes them better equipped?
     
    dennisroc Thanks this.
  6. Panhandle flash

    Panhandle flash Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City
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    They learn how to cope with weather, where the sweet spots are in their trucks, they learn the lanes and in what part of the season, is the best things to haul. They learn the shippers and the rcvr's and which ones not to go back to. They learn about brokers, rates, and so many more things...... before, They try to take truck payments, insurance, tags, titles, and taxes. And this is only a partial listing, off the top of the head of a tired man!!!
     
  7. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
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    How to operate the truck economically enough to make a profit, how to get from A to B without taking a route 10s of miles longer just because its name involves an "I," how to look at a road and decide whether.a big truck should really be on it so you don't end up like the idiots who took out a house or left their pretty new truck on the side of Mt Hood, how to get around tolls, how to use the HOS to your advantage instead of being bent over by the rules, getting a couple of winters under your belt so you don't leave your truck in the ditch, learning enough about diesels so that you don't get bent over by every truck service shop in the country, learn enough about business administration so that you have a clue before you jump in the deep end with a 20,000-lb tractor tied around your neck, put enough time behind the wheel to decide if you can stand it, etc. The list goes on and on. Guys who jump into this with very little experience usually have it very tough... I've seen where they can barely afford a steady diet of ramyen noodles after expenses.

    Be patient padawan... the deck is stacked against you, and those two years (or more) is the knowledge that will allow you to beat the system, and save enough money so you can afford to operate a business.
     
    PChase Thanks this.
  8. RickyW

    RickyW Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2015
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    How did things go at orientation in Pittston. I'm going there on monday and was just wondering what to expect. I already have my CDL, I got it on January 16.
     
  9. jdmredneck33

    jdmredneck33 Medium Load Member

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    Ok So here We Go Monday Morning we had to be ready to get on the hotel shuttle to Prime terminal Breakfast at the hotel is at 6:30 am but you also get free Breakfast , Lunch and Dinner at the terminal they have a set amount your allowed for free an then anything above an beyond that you have to pay the difference I believe you get 5.75 for Breakfast, an then 6.50 for Lunch an Dinner. An it doesn't sound like a lot but trust me its a good amount of food. So The schedule is as follows. You all get there an are greeted by either Paul or one of the security Guys then they bring you in the the classroom where they tell you about orientation an the schedule Day One is Filling out the application an some other paperwork then while your filling out the application they will start having people do the drug test an then followed by the drug test you will go to Concentra for your medical card physical wether you already have one or not, then after physical you'll go back to the terminal an then you either start your CBT's Computer modules , or go to lunch if you have already filled out all your paperwork. After lunch you do more CBT's an then Depending on the roads an weather you'll either do your Road Test Via Driving simulator or The Smith system videos all depends on how big your orientation class is an on the weather we didn't end up doing Road tests or the smith system until Day two which on day two we also did more CBT's an then on Day Three we had three we had three Classes which were Benefits class, operations class an then we had our Qualcomm class with Bob an he also went over the different safety systems Prime has on their Trucks Like Rollover stability, Lane departure system, Collision warning system that works with the cruise control. If all goes well you end up being cleared by wed unless you have issues like not omitting everything during your original application or if you fail your drug test or whatever the case may be. Thursday morning we came back for the APU class with Bob an then once your cleared an Hired by Prime then you just wait to be assigned a Fleet Manager an Trainer if your Reefer you'll get assigned that here in Pittston, But if your going flatbed like me you'll call a Guy from Missouri the director of the flatbed division an he will assign you a fleet manager an Trainer. an Then you just wait for your Trainer to come meet you an if ya'll get along you head out. My trainer Came last night But needed to get some work done on his truck so Were leaving out this Morning. Hope some find this Informative an if you have any questions while at Orientation Just ask Paul an James the orientation guys are really kool an nice an they are here to get you cleared an hired so just be Honest about Everything. This is going to be my last Post for about a week until I get access to a Computer/ Tablet or get a New Phone next weekend Depending where we are an if its kool with my trainer forgot about my phone being in my pocket sat down an broke the screen so no access to internet. Thankfully they have a computer at orientation that I could use before I take off.
     
  10. DenaliDad

    DenaliDad Retired Wheel Dog

    Plus a driver will have been through two full seasonal weather spans. Driving in the summer is nothing like driving in the winter; being responsible for the financial burden of a truck while learning how to drive - and how others drive - in inclement weather is too much.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2015
  11. jdmredneck33

    jdmredneck33 Medium Load Member

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    Aug 31, 2014
    NH
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    Sitting at Main Terminal Springfield,MO waiting on a Trailer, Done three Loads Since Starting Training Friday
     
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