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

I can attest they are doing everything they can to get students rolling. Daily messages are out to the FM on the testing schedule and keeping up on when and where those qualified to instruct are when they get to town. Especially, trying to get instructors paired up while they are testing out current students rather than waiting till their current student passes. Gives an extra day or so to make sure they're going to fit personality wise.

Testing is running full speed with the schedule booked with a 5 day wait. Instructors have plenty of time to schedule and get in in time.

Backing is still the most problematic. Number one response from test failures is still not much backing being done on the road. Some instructors mentality is that backing will be learned on the pad. However its really being seen like cramming the night before the test, when a backing regimen, spread out over the road, lets it sink in.

 

Im an instructor and I know that the importance of backing on the road is going to be much more important when prime east is under construction, and the current pad is being used for testing all day. Even being flatbed I find the places and time for my students to practice. I have tested 2 and have 100% trifecta rate so far. Prime is an awesome company to drive for just don't hide anything.

 

Im having a major issue with my instructor. First before we left he said we would hit the pad with him and his previous student who was testing the next day. He showed up half drunk, AMD admitted to it, saying he had a chauffeur today because of margaritas. Well we hit the pad alright but I never got to drive. He was more focused on his student ($).The student missed a gear on the pad, and instantly the trainer cussed him out with a fury.Should been a red flag to me! Well his student passed.
. He did the driving that day to the drop. I drove back, and felt like I was thrown to the wolves. Through a major city. Any gear miss its - what the funk is wrong with are u funking stupid. Very very aggressive. And to be honest it makes me mess up more. I think Ive done great as a beginner. If I was that bad why would he go to sleep on me? Play his video games etc. Im at the point of either giving up or looking for a new trainer but Im kinda worried about the process. I quit my job to come here and now I am getting scared as if I made a bad decision. I feel as though a better trainer would do but Ive heard of repercussions, so it has me worried. But I just can not take all this yelling screaming and name calling. Ive thought a out recording him, but then I thought what would that do.... Someone please leave advice.... Royally stressed

 

Report his ### to safety as soon as possible or speak to your DM

 

Call your FM, let him know what's going on, and ask for a different instructor.

 

He needs to be reported to someone. There is no excuse for this behavior

 

Report him to your fleet manager and yes record it if you need to. I had issues with my first instructor. I stuck it out through PSD but then I switched for TNT. My TNT instructor was amazing and I was happy I said something. It is unsafe, unfair and unsat of him to be acting the way he is. As for PSD, he isn't supposed to sleep at all while you drive. But Im sure you know that. Good luck to you. Be safe out there.------

 

Yes contact your f/m, steve larson, or even text stan they will help you to resolve this issue we need good instructors. I am a cdl instructor not the best I but try hard

 

Report him immediately to your F/M, Safety and if necessary, Steve Larsen. BUT BE VERY CAREFUL about recording. If you do it while you are in the drivers seat, YOU WILL GO AWAY

 

I started at Prime the first week in September 2013 did the psd phase, got hired september 28th then continued with TNT. Got my Company truck right before Christmas. They tried to put me in a lightweight truck and I went to Stan in reefer dispatch and begged for a condo/full size freightliner. I Am 6'5" and couldn't stand up in the lightweight. decided in May 2014 (now) that i would try Prime's Lease program. I figured I would post my spreadsheet of earnings as a company driver for anybody thinking about going with prime. Granted, I go home a lot, I went home three times in march for instance. So just posting my earnings as a company driver in a condo truck i.e. .38cpm (lightweight) receives .43cpm. I also take out an extra $50 a week for taxes. (I'm young and can't save so I like having a big tax refund) I am posting a link to my Google Docs "spreadsheets". I hope this helps some of you make your decisions on wether or not to come with Prime. I love this company and will probably be here for a few years until i decide to have a baby. PM me if you have any questions!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q6GXY-Vm8Ryo2rkB39vmc7ga23ZGJNcd5a_HjlQjevA/edit?usp=sharing