New to Prime INC - What to expect (Springfield edition)

If you can't handle getting up at 0dark 30 then don't bother showing up. Your instructor may say we need to get to a place to shut down early do we can get up early in order to make the appt at the 90. If you say "I don't like to get up that early" you may find yourself on another truck

 

I have read this from page 1. A lot of great info. Made Prime my choice and will be in Springfield on Oct. 27 to start a new chapter in my life.

 

Seabee1, I will be one week behind you. I'll be there on the 3rd. Excited, but I'm also nervous as ####. This is going to be a whole new world for me. Good luck.

 

And good luck too you txmarcus20

 

Hey there guys, I am finishing up PSD at Prime right now and it's been a great experience!. A few things: 1) make sure ALL of your paperwork is in order before you get here: birth cert, etc that your Recruiter tells you to bring. 2) Once you get here, you are "being interviewed" from the "time you step off the bus at Campus Inn!" meaning, how you act, react to problems, if you're late, etc is being noticed by Prime folks. 3) Classes:be 15 minutes early and NEVER miss a role-call! Don't get caught: lying on anything, cheating or just generally being dishonest. I've seen people sent home on the bus this week for that! Good luck and email if you have specific questions: truckindave926@gmail.com

 

1. The application you filled out on line was really a screening application. You will have to fill out another one on paper, which you will sign. Bring your job history, and don't conveniently "forget" about that speeding ticket last year. Don't be fooled; this is an honesty test. They've already done the background checks; they know what SHOULD be on there. If something is missing, they WILL call you on it at the "interview" after your physical/drug test. (I had two speeding tickets, about six months apart. The older one was past the "within x years" cutoff, so I didn't list it. I was questioned about it, pointed out it was older than requested, and the explanation was accepted.)

2. I would say that you are being interviewed from the time you are accepted into the PSD program until you are on your first solo dispatch. Once you sign the I-9, you are hired and the job is yours to lose, but during TnT, you are still being watched 24/7. This will be when you form your driving habits... for good or bad. Make them good.

3. "Early is on time; on time is late." You will hear that during PSD orientation. Prime charges a premium because of their excellent on time performance record, and expects their drivers to be on time, every time. When I was there, at one class the door was closed and locked at the start time. Anyone who was not in the classroom when the door was shut was sent home. No excuses. "There was a line at breakfast!" doesn't work...

One other thing... Don't think that you will be able to "pull one over" on the drug test. You won't. The people doing the testing have seen every trick in the book more times than they can count, and can spot a fraudulent sample every time. Just when you think that you've pulled it off, you get called in for a retest.

 

It's funny to me that these things have to be said, like they're new concepts and unusual expectations. Shouldn't honesty and reliability be part of any job one wants? Answer: Should be, yes, but, sadly, they aren't in our modern era. It's like asking what kind of drug test is used. That's only important for drug users, who have no place on the road driving an 80,000 pound, 70' long monster.

It's a shame, really.

 

I have not had a speeding ticket in 5+ years. I got a ticket for expired insurance card about 3 1/2 years ago that was dropped because I was able to prove that I had insurance (I was in a company truck). I didn't list that last ticket on the online app because it didnt have a place for dismissal. Recruiter said that it'll be no problem. I have nothing to worry about on the drug test. So as far as all that stuff and background goes I am not concerned. I'm just a nervous wreck because this is the biggest career move I've ever made. Thanks to everyone that has posted their experiences on here. It has been very informative and a huge help. Thank you. Be safe and God bless.

 

We'd prefer to see the Q&A in this forum... you never know who you might be helpin' out, plus it's been a few moons since some of the ol' hands went through the process. Things change.

There's a lot of folks with bad driving records, criminal histories, etc who think they can sneak by the background check.

 

txmarcus20: Spend a lot of time before you get here doing the practice tests that are available on www.cristcdl.com Do the tests for 1-General Knowledge 2-Air Brakes 3-Combination and 4-Tanker. These are the ones you will need to pass your Missouri CDL. (You will have to get Hazmat too but they will have you do that in you own home state, so I would just concentrate on the other 4). Good luck!