My NEW driver training at Prime!

Hey there everyone! Like I said I was gonna do, I am starting a thread about my training experience at Prime. For those who do not know me check out my previous threads. For those that do know me..... This thread will document my progression through the trucking programs, conversations with drivers already here and morale of the company.

WEEK 1 Day 1 (For me- Could be different for you!)

On Feb 18th I arrived in the a.m. I caught the Greyhound bus out here from California (the bus story....omg was a hell story...but that story is for another day... keeping this post positive!).I was given a number to call when I arrive at the station for a driver to come get me. The driver was there in 8 mins.

Now at the Prime training facility they own their own hotel called the Campus Inn. In the Campus Inn all of the training classes are located here. Which is AWESOME! I was given my room key and told to eat dinner before 6p.m. YES THEY FEED YOU HERE!!!! The cool thing about the food is that you DON NOT PAY for it. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner is included in your stay!!! Too good to be true? No. It is a reality. She receptionist also let me know that I needed to report to a Sim class at 4 p.m. I got in at 10 a.m. so this gave me time to take a shower and get some sleep before my class (I didn't get any quality sleep on the horrible Greyhound bus ride-again, this will be a story I will go into later on!)

Reporting to the class we met the instructors who run the class.... 3 great guys with great and uplifting personalities. They will have you laughing. Now I have mentioned the "Sim" machine. This is a life sized virtual truck driving simulation. It is a bit intimidating at first ( I am a 1st time truck and stick shift driver) but once you get the basics of shifting down it's easy. As you take each Sim lesson the driving scenarios increase. The instructors have full control of weather, kids running across the street, cop cars shooting radars at you etc. and they throw alll kinds of things at you to be funny and to see how you react. We had some pretty funny things happen- I won't spoil for you in case you decide to do your training here! We did the Sim until 8.


Day 2

This has been the Orientation day for me. This is the day you take your drug test, physical and sign your paperwork (contract). Now here is the deal with me and why I choose Prime. I need driving training and after doing research on trucking companies I chose Prime because of the training, pay, reviews and feedback I received from the guys here @ TruckersReport.com.

**Disclaimer** If you are on drugs or have done them.... DO NOT COME HERE!!! Before we took our test the nurse lets you know....if you got something in your system...let us know.. cause if we find it....you going home on your own dime..... well let's say they kicked a guy off the facility today.... So as a suggestion, be honest with yourself and do the right thing!

I signed a contract for one year to have my training paid for. The reason I did this is because I NEED DRIVER TRAINING. I have never been truck driving before. After 1 year of employment, provided I pass getting my CDL and graduating from the school the training price is paid and I owe nothing. If I leave after 6 mos. into the contract, am I only responsible for 1/2 of the amount. The amount they charge is $3500 for training total. In my opinion this is a good deal because I would have to pay any school that amount or more to complete their training. Also being that I am new to the game I WANT 1 year of experience anyway. So in my eyes it is a win win situation! Let me throw this in there too... You have 7 days to cancel and walk away from the contract as well.....so after 7 days of training I see that truck driving is NOT for me I can walk away and owe nothing. After 7 days the responsibility of the contract belongs to me. When you sign this contract they ask for a $100 admin fee.

Now I know the contract is touchy for some people. Yes you can get your CDL license on your own. Yes you can pay for your own school. Yes you can apply for a job after you have done all of the basic requirements and drive. Yes you can cut the corners and get your own self going.

Here is MY reason for going the way I am going with my training:

I am sure you guys who have experience under your belt would respect my decision regardless of your opinions about it: Driving a truck is nothing like driving a car. Driving a car you are driving a weapon. Driving a TRUCK you are driving an ATOMIC BOMB!!! The more you hang around people who are masters of their craft the more the "GOOD HABITS" will rub off on you. What you are SUPPOSED TO DO when you shift, what you are SUPPOSED TO DO" when driving up a hill and down a hill. You get taught the proper way right off the bat and you begin to respect the truck and the responsibilities of lives that you have in your hands. Being in a school setting promotes that. Being in an environment where these guys and gals are living the "REAL" truckers life is the best way to learn the do's and don'ts. In my 2 days here I have received SOOOO MUCH information and I have SOOOO MUCH MORE respect for truck drivers and what they do and responsible for. I have not learned close to everything yet but being in this environment helps TREMENDOUSLY!!!

In my opinion if you go about it on your own and get trained "on the job" you will learn what the other person chooses to teach you. For example if they are driving their company truck and let's say they don't practice the "double clutch" well guess what you are NOT going to learn. See where I'm going?
**For all you experienced guys I am only using "double clutch as an example for us newbies"***

I am also in a situation where I can be financially O.K. being here and my family and my fiance's family is helping her and my son and soon to be out in my home. If your situation is different of course YOU have to make that decision.


Well I am done for today. Please leave comments, suggestions and questions. Like you know I am going through training so my time online is limited. I will try to log in everyday and keep this thread going for future people who are interested in learning more about newbie trucking and the "Prime" experience. I only reference "Prime" because this is the company I CHOOSE to get my education and job from once I graduate!

Again pick my brain!






P.S.
Searching alot online I have found some videos that have ALREADY helped me on YouTube before I got here. These have helped me TREMENDOUSLY so far so I have to recommend them! I will recommend as I go through each progression while I am here training.

Double Clutch
How to double clutch pt. 1 (this is a 3 part series) The guy talks alot.....but he is very helpful! - http://youtu.be/ufe8JkgUDOA
How to double clutch pt. 2- http://youtu.be/s11bJXUJf7s
How to double clutch pt. 3- http://youtu.be/BryaNs9wFJg

"It's all about the footwork"

If you want a job, why would you want to be the best at it? Get your knowledge on!

 

This is dead on accurate! Nothing comes out of your check unless YOU CHOOSE to use the $200 advance. Food is paid and room is paid. If you dont use the advance you pay nothing back.

I have not got to the point where they require you to buy things. DragonTamer can you enlighten me?