Prime: Orientation and Training?

Should I take the bus,Or drive Myself to Pittston?

 

Depends on how much of a bus ride you can stand! It was 34 hours of pure hell from Williamsburg VA to Springfield MO. I know I will never do it again.

Its not a bad drive in a car.

 

Well I will be leaving Norfolk. Think I will drive..

 

Glad to see that You are still getting Good miles. Makes Me think I am making a good choice by going to Prime.

 

Is there room at the Pittston Terminal to leave my pick up while I am with a trainer? Thanks for any help..

 

# U2 Exit: After reading your thread and reading the information you posted on my thread I think Prime could be a solid choice for me. But I do have some minor questions to ask.

-Before going to prime did you ever drive a truck before or been in a truck before?

-Should I study the Arkansas CDL book or try and find one for Missouri so i can study up before going up there if I do go with prime?

-How was the interview process like? What type of questions did they ask you?

-Last thing, Were the instructors nice and very patient? Did they yell at you or make you nervous?

-Really last question lol, I see where you were saying on here about trainees or students can't driver after 7pm? What is that all about? How do you get night driving experience?

 

I have never driven a truck and had only sat in one before.

Study your AR manual and you will be way ahead because most of the info is basic and the same. You can probably find the MO CDL manual online.

Interview process was very basic... review of work history, little #### chat stuff as I remember.... "moment of truth" situation where they ask you if there is anything you left out because they have a "very detailed" background check. I dont know how true it is, but I had nothing to worry about.

Instructors at the Terminal are very patient but really have no tolerance for lateness. Instructors and Trainers on the road its hard to predict. They are as varied as everyday truckers on the road. I had a great instructor who kept me on for training.

As far as the night thing, Im not sure the hours but 9pm-5am stands out in my mind now... there is plenty of darkness out there. I dont think I initially did any night driving, but at the time I wasnt aware of the rule...

As with a lot of rules at Prime it is left to and expected that the driver follow them, but they arent looking over your shoulder. I run legal and no one has ever suggested or pressured me to... I hear that others brag they do... All I know is my Fleet Manager has raised hell when one of his trucks has been put out of service because DOT caught the truck... He has clearly stated that it is unacceptable. All he asks is be on time, communicate any problems, dont do anything stupid and he will work it out.

 

Ah okay, Now once you done your training with them are you official hired? Or after training they can decide not to hire you if even if you pass everything? Oh btw, I've been studying the entire book but can you give me a hint like what are some of the area's I should pay close attention too?

 

PretripPretripPretrip and don't get frustrated it doesn't hurt to be to safe.

 

Alright What else of the manual? Im pretty sure there are more than just pretrip that I just really take focus on.