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Exactly How Does Prime Training Work?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Johnnb, Jul 21, 2007.

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JBCUDA Light Load Member

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IRON PONY GOOD LUCK ON TEST.LET US KNOW HOW YOU DID & WHAT THIS TEST IS LIKE.
tichdaddy sorry hear about them tickets

JBCUDA, Jan 14, 2008

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ironpony Road Train Member

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Very easy skills test... Pull forward/back-up straight, accelerate forward and catch a couple of gears, come back through a slalom, and back into a tight "alley." 20 minutes to complete (easy), can't kill the cones, can't break a plane. All were easy skills, things you practice nearly every other day out on the road.

Passed! The trailers are all out of service... this one dog-tracked right, and the tandems were back around say the 15th hole, so it turned like a serious pig.

Three days of classes including Smith System, and pick out a tractor on Friday. Freight seems to be a bit slow right now, but I understand that's a seasonal thing... everybody has Xmas overstock/returns to liquidate, and the Xmas bills are coming due; the economy is going to slow down right now. So I may be down a few days.

All-in-all, I'm happy with Prime so far. Most of the guys you hear grousing at the truck stops are the "supertruckers" whizzing down the road at 75mph. Those guys pass me three times a day, and put all their profits in the gas tank/casino/buffet nose bag, or you name it. This is a business, and if you approach it as a business (keep your overhead down, and your productivity up) you're going to make some money.

Best of Luck,
Ironpony

ironpony, Jan 14, 2008

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JBCUDA Light Load Member

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CONGRATULATION IRONPONY
I was taught the smith system in school.our instructer had a orignal copy from the 60s & also a present day copy. she had 2-1 million mile accident free awards thanks to using the smith system

JBCUDA, Jan 15, 2008

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Joethemechanic Medium Load Member

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Exactly How Does Prime Training Work?
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With ever increasing diameter of shafts, until they can get their fist in without a problem.

Joethemechanic, Jan 15, 2008

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JBCUDA Light Load Member

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Is that with or without lube

JBCUDA, Jan 15, 2008

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ironpony Road Train Member

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Let's see... Smith System is Thursday!

ironpony, Jan 15, 2008

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JBCUDA Light Load Member

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They should teach it in drivers E.D. in high school

JBCUDA, Jan 16, 2008

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lzuplift Bobtail Member

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Hi guys,I hate to sound stupid,but just exactly what is the smith system?

lzuplift, Jan 25, 2008

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Designors Light Load Member

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http://www.smith-system.com/

The Smith System Five Keys

1.) Aim high in steering
2.) Get the big picture
3.) Keep your eyes moving
4.) Leave yourself an out
5.) Make sure they see you

lzuplift said: ↑

Hi guys,I hate to sound stupid,but just exactly what is the smith system?
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Designors, Jan 25, 2008

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mikel Light Load Member

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ironpony said: ↑

Well... it's been good for me. I'm back to Springfield for my upgrade test to A-seat (ACE-I), and getting my own tractor as a company driver.

First, you do make up to $600 per week as a B-seat driver. It'll be less if you start as a non-CDL D-seat, and if you already have your CDL when you start with Prime, during the first month of training as a C-seat. If you get over 6000 miles in a week you get paid 10-cents per mile, so you can make more than $600. If the wheels aren't turning, you won't get paid... that's the way it is. This is also going to vary with the season, and the economy. There's more freight in the last half of the year, as everyone stocks-up for Christmas, and if there's a slow-down of the economy... well, as a trainee you've got some cover.

Some of the fella's I went through orientation with in September, got promoted to A-seat last month - my trainer took more home time, so I'm here after 4 months instead of 3... that's 60,000 miles with your trainer. I'd say that I feel much more confident to be a company driver after this apprenticeship than if I'd been thrown in the deep end after just a short period like some of the other companies do. As Steve and Lo said, there's more to this business than just kicking the tires and pulling out! I'm also lucky that I got some winter driving experience with my trainer.

As far as trainers go you can be picky, and you can spend a lot of time in Springfield, if you catch my drift. If things don't work out, you can get ahold of your fleet manager, and get a different one. One of the guys I know went through three trainers - I did mine with just one.

As far as being safe, that's up to you. Your fleet manager may not be aware of your 11 and 14-hour clock status, and it's up to you as to whether you speed or not to get to a receiver on time. If you succumb to undue pressure, well, I'd say that's on you. You'll get miles if you perform; if you don't get to where you need to be, if you whine about things, then you may not. That's the same everywhere. This career is what you make of it, like every other career is. So far, I haven't been asked to do anything I'd consider to be unsafe, and I've always been treated well by my fleet manager.

So far I'm happy with Prime. I've heard other's who aren't, but then again I've heard a lot of bad things about other companies as well. Good luck!

Ironpony
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Just would like to know more of what to expact about being out with the trainer ....Did you have your cdl to start ...cus i thought if you already have your cdl you would be out 5 to 6 weeks ..Did you say you were out for 4 mnths ...Did you get home during that time? Did it take that long because you started as a d seat???

mikel, Jan 25, 2008

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