Looking at starting for prime

Discussion in 'Prime' started by Samarquis, Jan 2, 2018.

  1. Samarquis

    Samarquis Light Load Member

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    I plan to enter the otr trucking industry this year. Hopefully april when my commitment to my current employer is up. I already have my cdl. Im in good physical condition, and i dont do drugs.

    Ive pretty well set my sights on prime. I still need to have a discussion with a recruiter but we have been playing phone tag with voicemail. I see prime trucks in my area very regularly (northeastern vt)

    The questions:
    How long is the training period for prime? Were you happy with the training you received as a prime driver?

    I want to run reefer. Am i part of that decision or does it just depend on what, if anything, they have available?

    Is a LW truck the drivers choice?

    What is the pay like, both in training and after?

    Does prime do hair folicle testing? (this seems to be a debate?)

    Do they do well with home time?

    How are the benefits?

    Are they good about making sure equipment issues are resolved?

    Is there anything else i should know as someone looking at prime?

    Thanks in advance for the help!
     
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  3. Steel Dragon

    Steel Dragon Road Train Member

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    Start the year off right!
    Just say no to slooow light weight trucks,reefer freight and Prime Inc.
    You bored recruiters make me laugh.:coffee::confused2:
     
  4. Samarquis

    Samarquis Light Load Member

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    Bored recruiters?
     
  5. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    "I don't do drugs"

    "Does Prime do hair follicle testing"
    ????????
     
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  6. Samarquis

    Samarquis Light Load Member

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    I dont do drugs. Correct.

    Yes, i did ask about hair folicle testing

    While i have never been one to partake, my mother uses marijuana medicinally as a cancer treatment. I know i can pass a urine test with no question about it, but ive read nightmare stories about people failing hair tests for being near somebody who is smoking. Not everybody who asks about a drug tests is unable to pass one. I may be worrying about nothing but a false positive can ruin a career just a fast as a real positive
    .
     
  7. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Worried? Get a test before you go.
     
  8. AvacadoIreton

    AvacadoIreton Bobtail Member

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    Jan 2, 2018
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    “How long is the training period for prime? Were you happy with the training you received as a prime driver?”

    For me personally, 2 weeks PSD and 2 months TNT. It can take 3-4 weeks for PSD and 2-4 months for TNT.

    “I want to run reefer. Am i part of that decision or does it just depend on what, if anything, they have available? “

    You choose your division, reefer is the largest division so you will have no problem getting into it and finding a trainer. Tanker might be the division this doesn’t apply to, I think they only train tankers out of Pittston because they are mainly a northeastern fleet and Primes smallest fleet.

    “Is a LW truck the drivers choice?”
    Yes, they are not going to force you into a lightweight, they might ask you why not though. Just say you may consider training in the future and you’ll have no issue.

    “What is the pay like, both in training and after?”

    PSD they deposit $200 a week onto your comdata card, this is not pay it is a loan that you pay back at around $25/week once you start TNT and making actual money. TNT $700 a week BEFORE taxes. I am from a no income tax state and it was around $572 a week for me. Right now they are offering $800 a week for students to stay on the truck during the winter or something, but that won’t affect you being here in spring.

    “Does prime do hair folicle testing? (this seems to be a debate?)”

    No, it’s a urine test. I don’t know who is debating that, it’s the same at every terminal.

    “Do they do well with home time?”

    Depends on your FM, mine is great and gets me where I need to be on time if not a bit earlier every time. I am lease though.

    “How are the benefits?”

    Eh. I could look for the packet they handed out but it’s not anything to write home about. It’s not terrible either though. Blue cross blue shield if I remember right.

    “Are they good about making sure equipment issues are resolved?”

    Prime takes great care of the equipment, almost annoyingly so. Every time you go through inbound they are checking you out, every time you are due for maintenance they bring you in. They don’t run any tractors over 3yrs old.

    “Is there anything else i should know as someone looking at prime?”

    Your training will only be as good as your trainer. Prime is a great company to work for but they are not immune to ####ty people getting into the training program, mostly because a lot of students are afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to speak up, you should be getting showers, you should be driving in city traffic, you should be backing, you should be sleeping in the bottom bunk if the truck is moving, you should be allowed to speak with your FM. If you are nervous to talk to your FM then go over their head, contact safety, contact your orientation manager. Exchange contact info with other students and make a group chat where you can all support each other. Things my trainer forgot or neglected to teach me I learned through my friends I made during orientation, and likewise. Everyone is very nice at Prime, but the whole PSD process is a job interview so act like it. Have fun!
     
  9. FullMetalJacket

    FullMetalJacket Road Train Member

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    @AvacadoIreton

    Very well stated & covered just about everything well.

    Welcome to the mix & glad to see the the contributions starting to kick in, at least a bit, again.

    Only, & only thing I will correct is.....

    Tankers are NOT just training out of Pittston. Still train out of ALL our facilities, just like flats & reefs. Just depends on luck of whom is available & whom you may be able to hook up with at the time & place.

    Thing is, tankers are our smallest division, with far, far less trucks running. Let alone those that will actually instruct or train.

    Flats, a bit bigger. But, nowhere near the reef side. Similar situation on that side, though not nearly to same magnitude.

    So, unless they get a good luck draw.... most will complete PSD &TNT in the reefer segament, then go to their respective choice of division.

    The additional requirements are not much at all.

    Good to see you here, bud. You've apparently gotten through all & on your own now.

    Hope to see you continue to post & help some of those behind you out.

    Does me good to see a post like yours, telling like it is. We need to get some more back in here, again. Been too long & late.....

    Glad to see some of the New guys stepping up, no doubt about it.

    Best of luck out to you, too. Seems like you might be on your way.

    :biggrin_25525:
     
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  10. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    I got PTSD reading this.:tongue8:
     
    WesternPlains and FullMetalJacket Thank this.
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