My Prime INC Experience. (A Running Log)

I won't be back in Springfield until about another week or so but I'll say "HI" to you anyway okay?
Congrats on becoming an instructor!
Just finishing up home time. Co-driver picking me up tonight. Looks like I'll get to learn all about driving in winter conditions. Oh boy!! Oh well, I'm already about 90 percent gray....might as well turn the other 10 percent!

 

Great Thread:

I have already set a date to go to the Stevens training. I have been researching driving in general and come upon this forum. Long story short I would like to change and go with Prime. I have a couple of things that I would like to run by the forum.

I am a 42 year old. I will have sleep apnea. Im 6 ft. and 240. (a little heavy). My concern is this. I have already given my notice at my current job, they were mad, my last day is Wed.so I cant stay. I filled out the online app Sunday, submitted it and did not hear from anybody. I called and verified they received it, was given a recruiter and a extension, called it a couple time leaving messages with no response. That is a long way to get to this.

How long is the process from submitting the application to leaving for school. I have one speeding ticket in the last 3 years and nothing else (really kinda boring)

I have commitments that I have to live up to and I cannot set here for 2 months waiting on a date. I need to get the process started because I only have so much time before they start coming and getting things.

I am also alittle concerned about the drop outs. I am not worried about the background/driving but the medical kinda worries me. I haven't been to the doctor in 10 years. I would hate to get there and get knocked out for blood pressure or find out I'm diabetic.

I know that is scattershooting but if you have information I can use please let me know.

 

Well I drank the Kool Aide and submitted my app the other day. I have been working with Lane at recruiting and should know more tomorrow as to whether I am good to go. So far I am looking at orientation at Salt Lake, then in the TNT phase for the required mileage since the majority of my driving has been short haul and local work. Prime does seem to have the best trucks around for flatbed guys with the APUs and inverters when compared to the other outfits I have applied at and am looking forward to getting rolling soon.

 

RAGINFOOTBALL,

Best of luck to you. It sounds like Stevens will be the best choice for you due to you having those "commitments" to uphold. Prime, inc. will be there after you have gained your experience as an OTR driver with Stevens, maybe it would be best if you stuck it out with them for the time being (Stevens). As for me, this is why I remain PATIENT as far as becoming a truck driver. Your whole approach to beginning as a truck driver seems hastily done and doesn't sit well with me, I do not want to be that person. As far as your health, I would take that VERY SERIOUSLY. Definitely above deciding which trucking company I am going to begin my truck driving career with. That is a good thing that you have found this forum. There are drivers on this thread that are out there on the road such as JimmyBones, IronPony, etc. that give sound advice for us newbies and wannabes that have no clue as to what we are getting our self into.

Respectfully,

prime_hollywood
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Hay raginfootball you should go see a doctor before you leave for school. I was all set to take off but decided to check my blood pressure myself. and what a shock it was way high. so now ill have to wait till jan when ins kicks in with my new job. Good Luck

 

Hey raginfootball, they are absolutely right. My plan was to get a simple hernia repair in October. So I went to my surgeon and got that done. The stress of the surgery didn't play well on my body so now I'm battling an ulcer that has eaten a hole into my stomach and has been emptying into my abdominal cavity causing all sorts of infection.

My original plan was surgery 8-10 weeks goto Prime. Now I'm looking at 2 more months of treatment and IV nutrition so at least Feb maybe Mar.

This all being said, always have plan b in order. I didn't just leave my job before knowing if Prime would accept me. I've got several plans in place with Prime as my primary choice but also have backup plan of applying to Central, Roehl, Celadon, and as the very least and last resorts Knight and Pam after my health is in order. One way or another I will get to Prime be it now or someone else's contract later but always have a plan.

Good luck to you. I really hope it works out. Prime is an awesome family and I can totally understand why you might want to work there.

Charlami

 

They're very busy... email is a good way to get ahold of them for routine things. If you need to talk, the best approach is to camp out on hold until you get the person you need to speak to. Voicemail is probably not going to get you an immediate response.

That may be a problem depending on the circumstances, and how recent it was.

It could happen in as little as 2 weeks, but a lot depends on how quickly your previous employers get back to them.

10 years since you've seen a doctor, and you're 42? You should probably schedule a general physical with a doctor before you go to orientation at any carrier since you're going to have to get through a DOT physical no matter where you go. If you end up needing to be on a prescription, Prime's doctor will want to see you on it for at least 30 days before he'll clear you. Also, how recent was your last sleep study? That could be a problem as well... you'll need to be on a CPAP machine, and you'll need to show your compliance with its use.

 

Thanks for the input

I did have some blood work done before I applied with Stevens just to make sure. My BP was 142/85 untreated which is good for a 1 year DOT but on the high side. I did not get my blood sugar but my cholesterol was high. I have never had a sleep study but the lovely bride has been complaining about my snoring quite a bit the last couple of years. (since I gained the weight) I was just conceding that I would have to finance the CPAP equipment.

As far as never going to the doctor, I do not care for them much. The insurance situation really sucks as well. The last time I went to the doctor for the flu even with insurance it cost me like $500.00. I will spend that on my kids but I have to make choices and paying some sawbones to give me a prescription for something I can medicate myself a whole lot cheaper is the route I have had to take over the last few years.

I will call again today. I will get the Prime parameters for the physical and see where that leads me.

Thanks