Hello Prime drivers, and future drivers

The cool thing is that even company side, this run is paying VERY well, after stop pay, since there are 4 stops between the 01 and 90.

 

Gracie was great, she set everything up 1,2,3 with no surprises (just make sure you have all of your paper work with you). The meals where free (only once I had to pay a few cents for going over the allotted amount) and by that Friday afternoon there was a $200.00 advance on the card. Good luck!!!!!


Coffee and tea is free all day long, just let them know that you are taking it.

 

Gracie send me an e-mail with all the paperwork needed including emergency contacts and references amongst other things. I'm glad that the advance will be there after training because I sure do need it.

 

Hey everyone. So, I've been working with Sheryl to get everything going for me for orientation at the beginning of the year. I'm super excited over the program that Prime has and the ability to actually make some money.

My only concern right now is my blood pressure, which I have an appointment with my Primary Care Physician this upcoming Friday to get on a blood pressure medication before coming down there. Also working on some lifestyle changes to help me get that lowered naturally - but I don't believe it will be lowered down enough in time - hence the medication need.

(And before anyone does any research on previous posts I've done, I'll go ahead and clarify. Back a few months ago, I was going to go to USA Truck - but I had a job offer here where I live that seemed better at the time. Also, after much reviews, I think I found the right company for me.)

I understand there is quite a few that will be up there for the 1/3/2012 orientation. Hope to see a bunch of you then!

 

Welcome WVUFan! Should be able to find out from Sheryl about the requirements for the bp. It is a great program, went through the whole thing.

 

DOT requirements state it has to be under 140/90. Because of certain situations in my life recently, it's been up pretty high past that. I'm just going to go ahead and get on the medication until I lose the weight and can go without the medicine.

Also, my wife is wanting to come along once I go "A" seat. She plans on riding long enough until she can go get her own CDL. Do you think the refrigerated division would have a truck that would support both her and I in the same truck?

 

Reefer side has fullsize also, just have to let them know youll have a passenger on the truck full time.

 

Hope they changed the pay structure since I did them for a week after we took over the DC.

Stop pay wasnt the usual $20, it was $10. If I remember correctly the return trip to the DC does not count as a stop... because I went empty at my previous stop.

The CPM was slightly more than regular, but none of it was perdiem.

I found the whole thing a pain in the rear.

 

If you are C seat there is no $200 advance for you on Friday.

I wish some of these people would pay attention to what you are saying, your status, and quit offering up information they think they know.

Coming to Prime as a C seat trainee does not make you a PSD.

PSD are Prime students Drivers, non-employees, and get the $200 a week advanced weekly as students. They get NO PAY. Its paid back later at $25 a week after they get their CDL and hired.

C seats do not have access to advances until they are on their trainer's truck and only then on an assigned load. The advance amount is only a percentage of the pay a driver is to recieve on that particular load. The advance is paid back in full on your next check.

This prevents people from running up a huge advance tab, and then sticking it to Prime when the person gets fired or quits.

example: Im currently on a 900 mile load and I only have access to a $80 advance.

That amount is a little less than 25% of my company pay for this load. I honestly dont know how and what percentage they use to calculate and determine what my advance amount is. I never take advances and really only pay attention when I need them to advance me more to write a lumper check.

I do know, the bigger the miles on a particular load, the bigger my advance amount is.

Using my same example, at training pay rate of .10 mile training wage as a C seat, is around about $23 available for advance. However, you will be running team and most of your trip miles will be far bigger than 900..

The fleet manager can increase the amount... He can look at your previous loads for this week and determine if you have taken any advances and bump it up based on your expected paycheck.

Fleet Managers are not too keen on looking into the future and giving advances based on potential loads..... its takes a certain level of trust and special circumstances for them to do so....

you may have a reall good "special circumstance" in your mind but you are lacking a level of trust with a fleet manager that you dont have at this point

 

As of Sept 2011: Standard letter that I received.

I hope this will help with some questions.​

Prime Inc. Orientation Information ~ Springfield, MO​

2740 N. Mayfair Springfield, MO 65803​

417-866-0001​

Driver Name:

Orientation Date: Open

Seat Class Assignment:

If Unable to attend scheduled date, Please call or email me so I can adjust the orientation list.


·ASeat -- 7 + months current OTR
·
·B1 Seat -- 5 or 6 months of OTR experience.(will need to run 2nd seat for 15,,000 miles )
·
·B2 Seat -- 3 or 4 months of OTR experience.(will need to run 2nd seat for 30,000 miles )
·
·C Seat -- student graduate up to 2 months OTR experience.(will need to run 2nd seat for 40,000 miles)
·
·D Seat (student program) - No experience. (get 100 hours w/ an instructor $200 advance per week. Then run 2nd seat for 30,000 miles guaranteed minimum $600 a week or @ .12cpm (whichever is greater). Once you complete the required miles you will become an A Seat driver . As an A Seat you can either stay as company driver or become a Lease driver - IF you are a D seat, there will be a $100 non refundable entry fee. Also if you are getting your Class A permit in Mo., an additional $32.50 will be required to obtain the Mo. Permit. If you hold a class B license you will have to bring an Additional $50 ( Cash or Money Order Please)
.·RSeat ($100 non refundable fee) after driving assessment goes out with a trainer for30,000 combined miles

*Road Test for B1, B2, C & A seat drivers*​

Travel Arrangements. Hotel Information
Greyhound Bus to: Campus Inn
Springfield Greyhound Station 2610 N. Glenstone Ave.
2425 E. Kearney St. Springfield, MO 25803
Springfield Mo 65803 417-866-6671


Bus Confirmation # :

To check greyhound schedule call 800-440-7712. Or you can even go to www.greyhound.com. Must pick up ticket within 10 days, do not lose bus ticket because we can not reissue another ticket if yours has already been picked up.

Additional Hotel Information:
-Your room will be available 6:00 a.m. the say before orientation.
-You will share a room with another Prime driver.
-Upon arrival at the hotel we recommend you to check into the SIM (C1) room for the driving skills evaluation which is open until 10:00p.m.
-Springfield area residents will not be provided a room at the hotel.


*Upon arrival in Springfield, MO you are going to call the Prime shuttle once you arrive @ the greyhound station. Shuttle # 417-766-4501 hours are 6a.m.- 10p.m. 7 days a week. For after hour shuttle call 417-343-0504. If not available call 417-521-3911 or 417-866-0001 & ask for security which they will arrange to have you picked up.

Orientation Schedule​

Monday @ 7a.m. Independent Contractors - A or B1 seat drivers
Tuesday @ 700 a.m. for Prime Student Drivers "D" Seat Drivers
Wednesday @ 7:00 a.m. for Company Drivers - A, B1, B2, or C seat drivers
( you will need to arrive in Springfield, MO the day before your scheduled orientation date)
Orientation if held @ the Campus Inn. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided by Prime.

Items to Bring. ​

·State Certified Birth Certificate, Passport, or Green Card. ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTO COPIES or Hospital Certificates. Birth Certificate must not be laminated. THIS IS MANDATORY! (If you need to order a birth certificate you can contact your states department of Vital Statistics or go to www.vitalchek.com )
·Pens, Notebook, and a highlighter
·Social Security Card
·(Class A cdl. (hard copy. Also must be from your current state of residence)
·Voided Check ( if you want direct deposit )
·Social Security Numbers & birth dates of dependents for health insurance paperwork
.·Last 10 years of work history w/ dates and phone numbers. If a C or D seat, only 5 years will be required.
.·2 personal references & 5 emergency contacts with phone numbers.
·Enough clothing (warm & cold ) & gear for 2 weeks on the road.
·AB, c and D seat drivers must bring a pillow & sleeping bag. Or pillow and blanket
·D Seat Drivers see above. . You may bring a cdl permit from your current state. If bringing a CDL permit with you, there will only be a required $100 fee.
·If you are being trained by your spouse please bring a copy of your marriage license in order not to be charged the $100 (student program) fee.
·If you have had a name change you must bring proof of name change or original marriage license & original SS card.
Please do not put your personal documents in the luggage you check in on the bus. You should carry all personal documents such as Birth Certificate, Driver's License, SS Card, passports, etc. in your carry on bags.
*All drivers will he required to apply for a TWIC (transportation workers identity card) and a US passport during orientation*

****If you are presently employed you must quit job prior to coming into orientation. Also if you are currently driving you must turn your truck into the correct location that company requires you to do so before coming to Prime or we will not be able to hire you. ****

****If you are due a reimbursement for driving into Springfield, MO please check w/ Matt Rachel or Paul Cotter before you leave orientation.****

Be prepared for the following: electronic log training, criminal background check & fingerprinting, drug screen, dot physical, preliminary road test, integrity interview, and classroom instruction. **if you have any medical history that you think may affect your physical please discuss the concern before attending orientation.
If you already have a CPAP machine, please be sure to bring it with you. It must have the card to take readings.


Do not bring: firearms, alcohol, illicit drugs, or knives. As for spouses, friends or pets you do need special permission.


***Flat bed drivers are responsible to provide their own securement equipment. Kits are available through Prime and payment can be deducted from your weekly settlement. Tarping pay is $50 minimum or a direct pass through on what we receive from the customer***