Day 1 at Prime

emton · Nov 11, 2009

I'm just 5000 miles short of being able to upgrade and go solo. I started at Prime with no experience on July 7 and most of that story is already recorded in this post. I will say that there is no way I was ready to run a truck after four weeks of training. Heck, I've got a long way to go and still so much to learn at this point. I have no personal experience with any company other than Prime, but from friends experiences and all I read and heard, I know I made the right choice in coming here. Also remember that $600 training pay may be more than you can get running solo somewhere else.
Good luck to you wherever you choose to go!

JimTheHut · Nov 11, 2009

ironpony said: ↑

Seems whenever I mention something good about Prime, the naysayers jump on and make this into a war of words.

At the 4-week point in my training, I certainly wasn't ready to be a solo professional CMV driver. You won't either. You'll be dangerous to us and yourself. That's not a put down, it's just that the extra experience driving with a trainer makes such a big difference in your abilities.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks who will say Central is a great place, and plenty who will say it's the worst trucking company on the planet... er, well maybe there's JB, Swift, CRE....

OTOH, there is the same sort of group saying the same about Prime. I think the extra training at Prime is well worth your consideration... you're doing this for a career, yes? Not just to hold the steering wheel until something better comes along? Either way Prime and Central are "starter companies," and you may or may not end up staying with them. Actually, Prime wasn't my first choice - I went to orientation at May and went home because they didn't like something in my past. Glad it turned out that way because of what I've seen since then - I don't think their recruiter was straight-up with me either, and because I think I was much better served by the longer training period at Prime. IMO, I'd go for Prime and the extra training - its a pretty fair company in my opinion. Thinking back, I wouldn't change that now.

Use Central as your second choice, and get on wherever you can if you're determined to get into trucking. Remember this is training. If you decide you hate the company you start with, make sure you stay through at least your first year... better if its two. Then go find an outfit you'd like to drive for. By then the economy should be better, and the demand for drivers should be back.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your answer. I have decided to go to Prime. I had already been accepted, just trying to figure out the best place for me.
Training is always good and I came to the same conclusion myself.
I hope to meet you eventually. I will be going probably the second week in January.

Thanks!

Jim

JimTheHut · Nov 11, 2009

There is good and bad in all companies. Life is what you make it! I have learned to just ignore the negative people around me. They have a right to feel and think the way that they want to. I also have the right to not let their negative energy effect my life.
Bad things do happen to good people! I really got screwed when I got laid off. I just decided to not let it stop me and kept looking for a new direction. I feel very much at peace with my decision to go into trucking. I have gained so much respect for the industry since I started my research!
God Bless!

Jim

emton · Nov 13, 2009

Having a good attitude is so important. No matter where you are ##$% happens. Being able to take it in stride will keep you sane and make everything easier in the long run. Welcome aboard, good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

JimTheHut · Nov 13, 2009

Will do! What do you recommend as far as winter clothes?

ironpony · Nov 13, 2009

Jeans, long johns, sweatshirts. Wool cap, hoodie, couple of different gloves, winter coat. I have a pair of winter boots. Also... shorts, tee shirts (that's suthern winter wear!).

Stuff you can build layers out of. Winter is wierd doing OTR. One day its -10... two days later you might be in 90-degrees!

Team Evans · Nov 13, 2009

no 4 weeks is not enough time with no experience at all.

cummins_04 · Nov 14, 2009

i shall be calling prime monday. id like to see what they have to say. i have my class a with tanker endorsement. but really no exp. im 22 there web site says 21. so i may have a shot. haha

emton · Nov 15, 2009

re: clothing. Especially while you're training remember to pack light. Essentials only with limited space in someone else's truck. Even in summer you'll need some of that winter gear as it gets pretty cold in some places at night and you'll be spending some time in refrigerated warehouses counting produce etc. on SLDC loads. Despite that, you're going to be spending a lot of time in that heated/air conditioned truck!

Indycolt · Nov 17, 2009

Gotta agree with Ironpony, pack clothes that can be layered as needed. You never know where you're going to end up. Last week we were in northern Mass. and two days later we were in sunny southern CA. Now I just need to pickup some boots for winter.

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