Okay I survived Greyhound.. about 27 hours worth. Tomorrow is 1st day of orientation. I guess we'll see how it goes!!

Good luck Zane. I go next month. Maybe we'll run into one another sometime.

Okay the first day started out fairly normal. Jim from security talked to us and told us about what they expected from us and all that. We got a golden package when we arrived and checked into the hotel room. Let me suggest to anyone thinking of going to Prime to fill that package out after you get it if at all possible. I had a 27 hr bus ride and got here # 13:45 so I had plenty of time to do it. But it makes your first day at orientation much smoother.

Finger prints, pee test and your DOT physical are after ya finish your golden package and medical paper work. By about that time you'll eat lunch and be trying to get in the office for your paperwork interview and get your temp ID badge.

Let me say that I suggest you get your CDL learning permit BEFORE you come here. It will save you alot of time studying and the next day you will sit in a class and then sign up for the simulator, which you can't do until you have your permit, or pass the test. I think you get 2 chances to pass the test on the second day... and 2 tries each day after til friday. I only know of one guy that didn't pass today. There were a few that had their Class B license, so all they had to take their Combination tests.

Tomorrow are more classes and simulator if time permits. They have a new rule that you need at least 2 hours of Sim time before you can get assigned a trainer. You track this using a log book to help start us on logs. I heard a rumor that all trainee's now will be learning the new paperless log system as they are upgrading the trucks now for it.

Some other advise... don't try to pass your piss test with someone else's uriane. One guy did and it was too cold so he then had to take it with guys from security watching him. Needless to say by 1pm he was carrying his bags from his room. My room mate went to the classroom in the morning, but then went home. I guess he decided not to be a truck driver.

And like U2 and IP said... be ontime, respectful and this is not the place to joke around if your looking for a job with prime.

Thanks for the update Zane. I've put in my notice at the hospital and will be there on the 17th. I've been studying for my permit and can't wait to get going. How are the rooms and meals?

Thanks for the info. Zane.

Do they test you for your endorsements if you have time, or is it just for the basic CDL permit w/air brakes endorsement?

I assume if you wan't doubles/triples or hazmat that you have to do it at a later time.

Thanks and good luck.

Keep us updated.

Yes if you have time it would make much more use of your time to get your CDL permit before you arrive here. The rooms are not bad at all. The hotel is clean and not run down. I'm at the Campus Inn which is also where 90% of your classes and orientation takes place. As for the meals I think they are pretty good. I will say that you have a certain dollar amount that your suppose to stay under for instance lunch and dinner is 5.75 but if your meal adds up to 6.00 then you owe them .25 so it's pretty good. You eat breakfast and lunch here at the campus inn, and dinner at the Millenium building. I will say that the meals over at HQ are a bit more expensive than the campus inn. But like today they had free lunches at the HQ and are doing it again tomorrow. Company Appriciation days. So I think I've gained some weight here since I'm eating 3 meals and not exercising like I was. LOL

Hope that helps.

Okay if you have your permit when you come, you can take your indorsment tests when the DMV ladies come to the campus inn to test the folks that didn't get their permits. I acutally did go ahead and get my tanker endorsement, but did not get the Hazmat yet. I will say that company policy is this now: Everyone will get their HazMat endorsement within 60 days of getting your CDL's. So you can either do that before ya come or study and take them here. Also all the new hires will be required to learn the "paperless" or electronic Logs now as more and more trucks are being converted or the newer ones have them now. And another policy that has been put into place is that before you can get in a "live" truck you need at least 2hrs of simulator time under your belt and you track that using a paper log book.

But if you already have your permit then while the others are taking tests and all that you can go in the Sim Lab and start on the sims. I started Wed, and today I have 2:15 of sim time, and that's with 20+ PSD's and all the upgrades driver's that had to take tests too.

All in All I think it's been going pretty good. Tomorrow is Pad day with forward and straight line backing in the morning and after lunch we'll hit the loop for gear practice.

Hope that helps some.

Here is the thing about Hazmat... Im not sure about the company requirement (I have HAZMAT)... BUT you are required to transfer your CDL to your home state... HAZMAT endorsement is not transferable.

Hazmat also requires a TSA background check and fingerprinting. which costs $$$

SO... you can take the HAZMAT test in Springfield, but unless you are or going to be a Missouri resident, dont waste your time.

Get home soon, transfer your CDL, have your fingerprints taken, pay the fee.... and when you get your background check approval 30 days later take your Hazmat test

When I started three and a half years ago, we were told that we were required to get our Hazmat endorsement on our license when we transferred it back to our home state. Three and a half years later, no one has said a word to me about not having it.

Thanks man...

Good to know.