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

I talked to Andrea this morning I am going either the 12th or the 19th, my choice (giving my current employer the 2 weeks). Went over my concerns and she addressed the completely. While we were talking my driving record came back without issue. Appointment is set to get my CPAP readout (she only needs proof I have been compliant in the last 30 days, but I am getting a much longer readout, just in case). Will take my permit exam on Monday . As I told Andrea, she just made my day!

BTW, the reason for the delay is she wanted to make sure I was okay with flatbed (or tanker but I understand no tanker for a year?) because that is the freight they have when home time is in consideration. I was actually very excited because flatbed was appealing to me from the get go.

 

Great job on staying on them.
With tanker you should get longer runs, interesting though, wonder what food grade they are hauling into/out of LV. Flatbed is more work BUT better runs, as in fewer night deliveries, from what I understand.

 

September 12th is the date. Final day at current is the 9th. Next week I test for my permit. Tomorrow I pickup my cpap readout. All is lining up well.

 

Not necessarily.................

Good to hear & best of luck to you!

 

My understanding on tanker side , they do a lot of oils (soy, peanut,) and syrups

 

So I just had a conversation with a student here who is looking for an instructor and I felt it would be good to reiterate it here like others have done before about the exact same subject. This particular cat actually had been called by an instructor and went out on his truck with him for a few hours and realized that he was not going to mesh with him at all. I reaffirmed for him that he was making the right choice by declining to go out with that instructor. Not because of anything in particular the instructor did, but because his teaching style and the student's learning style are total opposites. So, to repeat something that has been said before a hundred times.

Students, you should be interviewing instructors just as much as they are interviewing you. If you don't think you will be able to work with that person, don't get in their truck. There is no shame in saying "I don't think this is the right situation for me." Will you have to wait for an instructor? Very possibly. That is far better than getting out on the road after a week and having to come back to SpriMo and sit because you aren't able to make things work with your instructor. This is your training. You are entering a career field where you are going to have to be the one to make the decisions that determine your success. It's best that you start the making of good decisions by making a good decision in choosing your instructor. The learning curve is steep, best get on it.

 

Oh, here's a good question: Would it be better to drive to Prime in my personal vehicle or take the bus? Springfield, MO is just about 6-7 hours from where I live.

 

Its up to you. But realize that if coming thru P.S.D. you will be leaving in an instructors truck, then later going on to a trainers truck. After which you will be assigned your own equipment which you will be allowed to take home when you take time off provided that you have a safe place to park it. Do you have a way to get both vehicles back to the house? If so I'm sure having a personal vehicle in Springfield will be a great convince during the orientation and training process given that it will allow you to return home should you have to wait on a trainer or an instructor. Prime does have secure long term parking at the terminal and you will be allowed to park at the hotel during orientation.

 

Hmm, that would be a bit difficult, could have a family member drive up there or just take the bus, since that is much easier to be honest.. Considering that I have had my CDL-A with tanker for 9.5 years so far, I'd probably skip the instructor's truck and go with a trainer for the 40,000 miles.

 

I see may want to leave it then. Since you have experience you likely may not be waiting long on a trainer. Have they told you that you'll be doing 40k miles?