Getting Permit Before Heading to School

Dont count an anything. Simulators usually have to supervised by an instructor, so if one is available you'll get the time. I cant speak for Prime, I gather that is where you are going to school. Classes are generally pretty structured and thereby so is the instructors' time. So dont expect that they will provide you with any additional opportunities except for nap or independant study time while everyone else is testing. And that is assuming that you can transfer your permit. It may be easier just to go with the program, talk to the school for feedback.

Dont worry about grinding gears. The simulator is close but not truly representative of what driving is all about. Just like MS Flight Simulator isnt exactly flying. Think of it as an overgrown video game. Back to grinding gears, the best thing to learn is recovery techniques. We all miss a gear at times, so knowing how to recover, by going up or down a gear is what it is about. I had two mentors coming out of school, first guy was perfect, never missed a gear, could salalom (sp?) back blindfolded. But he couldnt teach you how to do it. Best thing he taught me was floating the gears, gave me a much better sense of shifting at the right time. My second mentor, taught me you didnt have to be perfect to be a good driver. Taught me how to recover when things dont go right. That is the most important thing about be a professional.

Good Luck and keep all 18 on pavement.

 

On average, for a normal dinner size, how much will it cost us? I didn't realize that breakfast and lunch are paid for by PRIME.

 

Dinner is covered as well - meal selections from the steam table are usually within the meal card limits, or within a dollar or two at most. The food is good, although it's better at the terminal. If you have some cash to bring with you, it does make things go more smoothly. There are ATMs available at the terminal and Campus Inn... as well as restaurants, a Walmart and a Kmart within walking distance. The shuttle will drop you off there, and get you to and from the terminal.

 

The biggest benefit I see to getting your permit before arriving is that you get more time out on the practice pad while the others are studying to get their Missouri Permits. Also a lot less stressful if you already have it

 

The simulators at Prime are manned by two people who are there just for that purpose. Depending on the class size they will give you extra time if you need it. Not much time laying around if you don't wanna lay around. Once you are cleared you can go to the pad and practice. The pad is where you might be waiting for an instructor, but they are usually plenty of them out there.

 

typically how big are the class sizes?

 

Anywhere from 10 to 85 is what I have seen, just depends on how many sign up. Also just because there are 85 students at the beginning doesn't mean there will be 85 left by Friday.