Application Disqualified by Prime

I appreciate your response to my inquiry.

I would appreciate anything you could tell me about the training, trainer, etc.

I'm in Northwest Missouri, about 200 miles from Springfield. Did you go to Springfield for your training? How long were you with the trainer? I have so many questions, I don't know where to start. I'd be happy to hear anything you can tell me. I just don't want to make the same mistake I made with the school I went to.

Thank you so much for any information you can give me.

 

Start by reading my "Prime Training Experiance Thread"... You dont have to read the whole thread... I pretty sure I get the whole story out by the 2 or 3rd page.

I think that would answer 90 percent of your questions and then you can come back here and ask some more specific questions you might have.

Here is a link http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/prime/57246-prime-training-experiance.html

 

You're a sweetheart, U2. Thanx for the link.

 

U2, I do have a few questions, even after having read the link. I don't want to hijack this thread with those questions. Is there a better place I should ask them or should I begin a new thread? I don't want to be disrespectful of the person who began this thread by taking it over with totally unrelated questions.

 

I or others will respond to any questions posted anywhere here in the "Prime" section.

I prefer them here in the open rather than as a Private Message... that way later on down the road I dont cover the same ground for other inquisitive individuals.

Ironpony may beat me to answers... although, when it comes to opinions we agree 90 percent of the time. But his facts are just as good as mine... we have the same Fleet Manager, and we have met on the road... so he's good people.

 

I already have my permit and I have passed the PTI portion of my License test. Would the
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training focus most on the skills and driving or would it include everything? I may have passed that portion, but I would like to keep up on it. If I understand you correctly (and I may be misunderstanding) the instructor works with you to obtain your permit, then you go to a Trainer for you license training.

Will they only put a female with a female, or is it decided between the trainer/trainee, even if it is male/female? I realize there are sexual harrassment issues that may come in to play, so I was unsure how this worked.

Fri is spent on the pad... This is where experianced Prime drivers who have just completed the instructor course come out to the pad with their trucks and take on 3-4 students. Straightline backing in the morning, and then in afternoon shifting on streets in an industrial complex.

Is the instructor in the truck with you as you practice your backing, or do they stand outside and give you direction?

In a perfect situation, you would then meet your CDL instructor and hit the road. We did have a few guys leave that day. I was gone within a week. While waiting we hung out at the pad and worked on Pre trip inspections. The pad is always in use for testing (students/new hires evals/upgrade test) but when it wasnt in use we would practice shifting and backing. I learned alot from the instructors out there while I was waiting.

Are you actually on the road during the time you are working on your CDL license? It's actually OTR training and not just on the pad?
Do you use the instructors trucks while on the pad during waiting time? Can you practice any time there isn't testing going on? Or are there only certain hours you can practice? I assume there has to be an instructor present any time you are on the pad practicing.​

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I appreciate any/all responses from anyone than can help out with information. Everybody here has been great so far with being helpful and informative. It is much appreciated. Thank you.
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I will try and answer some of these questions for you, my husband is an instructor for Prime.

After you get your permit you will go out with an instructor in his/her truck. You will be at the wheel while your instructor is sitting in the jump seat. You will work on everything out on the road... driving, shifting, backing and PTI. You will be sleeping/off duty when your instructor is off duty. At no time should you ever be driving by yourself up front.

I have seen female trainees with male instructors/trainers. i think this is up to said instructor/trainer and the trainee.

When you are out on the pad practicing you will be in the truck while your instructor is standing outside usually talking to you either through the window or most likely on a radio which transmits to their CB in the truck.

You will be out on the road for about 3-4 weeks with your instructor in his/her truck until you reach 100 hours behind the wheel. When you come in to test for your license you will spend some time out on the pad with your instructors truck practicing backing. Straightline, offset, ally dock and parallel. You can practice anytime out there as long as testing isnt going on, obviously you cant be on the same area as someone being tested.

I have spent some time out on the pad with my husband one weekend when he had some extra time on his hands due to a holiday. Everyone that I met out there are really nice and helpful.

Hope this helped a little. Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride!!

 

Thank you so much, Redneck. As I have said, the training is such an important aspect of this for me, and I like what I have read about Prime training. Now if I can find someone willing to take on a trainee, I will be able to stop worrying about training so much. That is one of the biggest drawbacks I have with most of the companies I have looked at. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply. I am so ready to get out and start enjoying both the training and the ride.

 

Redneck, I am unable to reply to your PM here, so I replied at your other suggestion. Thank you so much.