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

You'll get a different agenda than the students and inexperienced CDL holders, but for some things such as medical, sexual harassment briefings, etc... they'll pile everyone together for that.

 

I think the sexual harassment briefings will be a bit more focused and intense for a little while

 

On my way for orientation in Denver on Feb. 24th...any others going? Recruiter says 2-3 days and then on to Springfield, MO for TNT...wheeeeeee....flatbed. If anyone has any updated information, please post. Much obliged on all the great info posted here!!! Cheers, all.

 

This is my first post to these forums and driving big rigs. Besides this the most I have done is worked for Uhaul and moved Willis Shaw trucks into their truck bays so that I could replace their windshields on Freightshakers, Volvo's and once in a while even a Mack but that was all on the yard. Never done any big stuff like this before.

Between reading here and watching youtube videos, I have taken suggestions and trying to get my CDL permit here in Idaho. Now if understand everything correctly I have to come back to Idaho to do my skills part as well? And this will be after I have went out and done my PSD and TnT?

Also I need an opinion, I have been using the http://www.truckercountry.com/cdl-practice-tests.html Practice tests to continuously keep testing myself till I can do this test 100 all the way thru on General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combinations. How close is it to the actual tests they take and is there more then what the tests on that website show? I also am downloading the Idaho State CDL manualy and reading it all the way thru. All 229 pages

One thing that is going to help me I have a friend in trucking and Sunday we are going to get with each other over the phone and go over pre trip inspections over the phone. He kinda, of a classmate from high school. If it wasn't for the distance between us I know he'd help with more to prepare me

I am a little nervous about doing this as it is way outside my comfort zone. For the last 8 years I have sat at a job that I didn't have to worry if their was a job there the next day. As of yesterday I gave my 2 week notice to that employer. Which brings me to the end of this month and first day is supposed to be March 4.

Also does Prime do direct deposit for your paychecks? Have a car I am making payments on and a place I still put my head that I call home in Boise, Idaho. Well that's all I can think of to ask for now. Look forward to your opinions on that practice test website.

 

I don't believe Idaho is one of the states you have to do the skills test for you CDL in-state. You should receive a MO CDL after PSD and testing in Springfield. They'll get you and your TnT trainer a load through Idaho so you can transfer your CDL to your home address within 60-or-so days.

Those tests are good practice, but a thorough understanding of what's in the CDL manual is what you need.

That's always a good thing. You'll get plenty of practice at it with a rig in Springfield once you're cleared to be on the training pad.

It's a big step for everyone who does it. Take everything seriously, be on time everywhere, turn your cell phone off whenever you are in class or are talking to someone who can affect your career, and don't call Wally's simulators a "video game." He'll take offense, and there's a serious purpose behind using them.

Yep, that's the best way to deal with your money on the road. Make sure you bring a cancelled check (a deposit slip too just in case) to orientation. When you're ready to hit the road, Prime will provide you with a fuel card that is attached to two accounts: a company fuel account you charge tractor fuel to, and it has a personal debit account that Prime will load all of your pay into by default. At orientation you can specify how much of your pay you want placed into your bank account by direct deposit, and how much goes onto the fuel card.

Make sure you have your debit card for your bank account, checks, etc with you so you can carry on your personal financial life on the road. I do most of my banking via the internet to make sure the bills get paid, etc. I also put $100 per week on my fuel card, and try to limit my spending to that... it's so easy to blow through a paycheck out here because of the prices and all of the shiny stuff that call out to you to buy it.

Good luck!

 

Starting next week with TNT...I know to pack light for training, but once I'm in my own truck, does Prime have inverters and APU's installed...prewired for fridges/microwaves? Thanks in advance for the info.

 

Aye-firmative! Both AC and DC.

 

Got one thing taken care of as of yesterday. Got my CDL permit yesterday. Passed on the first try. Also high school freind sent me a couple of PDF files on brakes, slack adjusters, and also the Pre-trip sheet for the truck. Now just need to find one for the trailer. Also going to bring my Idaho CDL manual with me which has a hole chapter dedicated to Pre trip. Figure more I can commit to memory now the more ahead I will be when the time comes and may actually help me to relax when test time comes.

 

Good to hear that you're studying to get a leg up on the pre trip. When you're in springfield for orientation they will break down the pretrip and make it simpler than people make it out to be.
They will give you a study guide and by each section you will have to jot down things like; "pms" ( properly mounted and secured ), "Cbb " (cracked bent or broken ) and "abc" (abrasions bulges or cuts). They will also have you write down numbers for things like engine belt slack, brake shoe lining and pressures.

 

Dgarricksr, I will be there on the 3rd to lease too. And im not sure if we are mixed up or not.