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

JimmyBones · Jul 18, 2015

@darthanubis, that student whose name started with a W, it wasn't Watts by any chance was it?

darthanubis · Jul 19, 2015

JimmyBones said: ↑

@darthanubis, that student whose name started with a W, it wasn't Watts by any chance was it?
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No

McCauley · Jul 22, 2015

Chucktshoes said: ↑

I'm wrapping up my first year. Contract is up in less than 2 weeks. You know what? I'm not going anywhere. In fact I'm going to be heading back to SpriMo in the not too distant future to trade in my lightweight International for a condo and start instructing PSDs. I don't regret for an instant coming to Prime to start this career. It's been well over 10 years since I was this happy in a job and I have never, ever made this kind of money. Y'all made a great decision coming here. Relax and enjoy it, it's a hell of a ride.
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You're on a dedicated and you're doing PSDs? Is Springfield inside of your dedicated area? I'm getting on a dedicated and figured it would put me outside of being able to PSD.

Chucktshoes · Jul 22, 2015

McCauley said: ↑

You're on a dedicated and you're doing PSDs? Is Springfield inside of your dedicated area? I'm getting on a dedicated and figured it would put me outside of being able to PSD.
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Nope. SpriMo is not in my area. When it is time to pick up or drop off a student I'll just catch a run heading in the direction I need to go.

hal380 · Jul 25, 2015

silenteagle said: ↑

Upgrading - That wonderful day when you get your own truck! Now that you have achieved your miles and experience it is time to go back to Springfield and go through the upgrade classes and get your very own $100,000.00 truck. Let me answer the most interesting questions first, then hit the mundane.... Everyone wants to ask questions about what to take or put in your truck. I always tell people to save up $200 for the following: Microwave ($50), Coleman iceless cooler ($89 at WalMart), small coffee pot ($20) for those coffee drinkers ($1.69 a cup at the T/S will add up quick.) and some basic cleaning stuff. (glass cleaner, lysol wipes, paper towels, paper plates & bowls, plasticware) All this stuff might top $200 a little, but you will need it all. You should have your clothes cleaning stuff from TnT, but if not, get some of that too. Don't forget the food.

You will also probably want a CB radio. I would recommend you wait till you make some $$$, but if you saved an additional $150 you can pick up a decent radio and have it installed at the shop.

You will want to get your FM to route you to your home to pick up clothes and other necessary items that you already have, and of course to show off your new truck! Most of you will get a lightweight truck and space is at a premium. Keep this in mind as you start jamming your life into your new apartment on wheels.

Now for the real reason of this post: The Upgrade Process.... When you get back to Springfield you will get a hotel room at the Campus Inn at NO COST TO YOU. You won't even have to share a room. (Yea!) You will also get a meal card for the week (or 4 days) to pay for your meals that week. Before you return to Springfield you will be letting your FM know whether you want to become a Company driver or a Lease operator. If you do not let them know, you will automatically be scheduled for the Company driver orientation.

First thing you will be doing (or the last if you get there late) will be the Smith Systems Class. This is required before you complete your upgrade and get your truck. (you get a one meal ticket with the completion) After that you will have some classes on truck and trailer maintenance, reefer operation and maintenance, how to use the Qualcom, payroll, health insurance, sexual harassment and equal opportunity, and a few others. Once these classes are done, the Lease operators and company drivers will split off and go seperate ways. Company drivers will go to Success Leasing and get assigned a truck, or will be told to come back at a set date and time. Lease operators will begin the classes that explain the lease terms, responsibilities and requirements. You will be tested on your knowledge at the end of the classes, which last 2 1/2 days.

A few thoughts on truck selection. If you are excessively tall or round, you might be able to justify getting a full sized truck. You can also request a full sized truck if your spouse plans on becoming a driver. Company drivers cannot turn down a truck because of the color.

Once you get the keys to your truck, you will also be given an inspection packet. GO THROUGH THAT TRUCK WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB! You will be held responsible for any damage or problems with the truck that are not written on that inspection sheet at the beginning. BE ANAL! nitpick every little fault. Take pictures with your smartphone or whatever you have. Check the alignment, as this causes alot of problems on the road. Check the tire wear & balance. (this will shake the fillings out of your teeth) If your trainer is still at the yard, ask him/her to help you inspect the truck. Ask them to take it for a test drive and give it a shakedown run up I44 or US65.

I would also recommend making contacts, networking with other people in your classes. Sharing experiences during your travels will not only help you through the lonely times on the road, but will also help you with any issues you might have. If you have built a good relationship with your trainer, you might be able to rely on him/her for help on occasion as well.

Now lets talk about equipment. (I will let a flatbedder post their equipment requirements) On the reefer side you will need load locks, a set of locks and air cuff lock, tire pressure gauge, complete set of snow chains, and a thermometer (I recommend two) Some people get a couple of 1 or 3 gallon fuel cans for extra DEF, but I have never had to buy a box of DEF. (good planning will prevent this) You will also need a good pair of gloves. I recommend a set of the fueling gloves and a set of leather work gloves. You will also need a heavy coat, some overalls and a good pair of boots. (Last summer I wore the heavy coat in a cooler for 4 hours loading lettuce) I would also recommend a small tool kit that includes a good hammer, selection of screwdrivers, wire cutters, vice grips, star bit and allen wrenches, a good 10" or 12" adjustable wrench, and a 3/8" socket set. There is a good thread somewhere here that has a bunch of drivers sharing their selection of tools, so don't consider this list more than a minimum recommendation.

Your FM: Usually you will be assigned the FM you had when you were with your trainer. Most FM's either are set up to manage lease driver or company drivers, not both. (a few do both) This might determine whether you stay with your FM from TnT or get a new one. A good trainer will try to set you up with a good FM if you have to move, but most of the time the switch is directed by the managers above the FM's. You should know who your FM is going to be before you get your truck. If all else fails and you don't know who your FM is, go talk to Linda Brown, Stan Auman, or Steve Larson. (Yes, write these names down. You will eventually have business to tend to with them)

When you go to driver lineup to get your permit book, you will also want to grab a few trip sheet tablets, handfull of comdata checks, a few dozen back door seals, and some lumper receipts. I use a large clipboard for my trip sheets, BOL's, fuel receipts and weight slips. I keep a half sized clipboard with the load tablets ($1 at the company store) where I write down everthing about each load. I keep these sheets as a record in a seperate 3 ring half sized binder. (it's almost full) REMEMBER:::::: make sure that you install the license plate, EZ-pass & Prepass if you are picking up a brand new truck.

Good luck and Keep On Truckin'
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Copied and pasted in "Word" - making my own crib sheet for training. Thanks for all your help and advise.

Hal

Highwayredneck · Aug 2, 2015

I've heard of psd students going into tnt and completing before 30,000miles is this true and if so is there a minimum mileage? Or a case by case basis? I'm I'm tnt now and have 15,000 miles done in tnt. My trainer and myself feel that I'm ready to upgrade but we haven't figured out if it's possible yet.

FullMetalJacket · Aug 2, 2015

30,000 IS the minimum. There's a reason it is stated as minimum, otherwise it would not be minimum, eh?

Only circumstances I know of of individuals possibly cutting it short are folks that came with previous recent experience & that was decided on case basis.

It's not that long, and it really will benefit you greatly. Even 30,000 not nearly enough to see most of what you will run into, but it will at least give you a good start.

Congrats on getting this far. Sounds like your doing great!

nofreetime · Aug 2, 2015

Highwayredneck said: ↑

I've heard of psd students going into tnt and completing before 30,000miles is this true and if so is there a minimum mileage? Or a case by case basis? I'm I'm tnt now and have 15,000 miles done in tnt. My trainer and myself feel that I'm ready to upgrade but we haven't figured out if it's possible yet.
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15, 000 miles = only about 3 weeks. Don't rush it dude it maybe sunny and 90º now but winters coming and you'll be glad you had the extra time later.

nofreetime · Aug 2, 2015

Chucktshoes said: ↑

I'm wrapping up my first year. Contract is up in less than 2 weeks. You know what? I'm not going anywhere. In fact I'm going to be heading back to SpriMo in the not too distant future to trade in my lightweight International for a condo and start instructing PSDs. I don't regret for an instant coming to Prime to start this career. It's been well over 10 years since I was this happy in a job and I have never, ever made this kind of money. Y'all made a great decision coming here. Relax and enjoy it, it's a hell of a ride.
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Holy crap that was a year already. Doesn't seem like that long ago you were new and on here with questions. Time flies. Congrats on finishing your 1st year and contract!

darthanubis · Aug 8, 2015

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