I'm think I'm done with Prime

If I remember one of the safety meetings from this summer, Prime was upgrading and getting new simulators so they could train drivers who have never driven in winter weather how to drive on the simulators. My guess is the OP is jumping to the conclusion that he'll have to go out with a trainer (though based off what I have read about his driving record so far, I don't blame Prime for sending him out with a trainer again) when It could just be as simple as spending a couple hours/days on the simulators.

I started my driving career and was trained with CRST and by the time winter started last year it was me and another rookie team driving, they gave no training at all for winter driving. Talk about trial by fire. I spent 80% of last winter back and forth through Wyoming on I80 and between the icy roads and and high winds, it was not something I would recommend any rookie to learn on his own.

One time I was getting onto I80 from I25, was doing 10mph, the wind was blowing in the 30+mph and the overpass the onramp puts on was icy. We weren't that heavy, maybe 30k in the box. As i was crossing the overpass, a gust of wind threw us from one side of the road to the other on the ice, and I was only doing 10mph. There wasn't much I could do other then hold on and keep the truck from being blown off the road.

Another time in Wyoming between mile marker 98 and 86, going down one of those fun hills half way down we just started sliding down the hill, had no traction at all and had 3 other semi trucks sliding right behind us. We were lucky we didn't get hit and that we didn't have far to slide to the bottom of the hill. Again I was only crawling along at about 15 mph there.

It doesn't take much in winter weather even at slow speeds to have a major issues. As everyone else has basically said on here, shut the f up, take the training and be grateful you have a job and company that cares enough to makes sure you are safe out there. CRST and England, they just throw you butt out on the road and wish you luck.

Good Luck,
-Redoctober

 

They have those in now. Three of the simulators are brand new. I did one of the winter driving modules, it was pretty cool.

 

Cool, maybe I'll ask for a day off from walmart head to Springfield to try one of them. Haven't been on them at all and they look cool. Though I like the money I am making here on the walmart account and wouldn't want to loose a day or two of good pay

 

Its nothing like JB... you have to work your way into this.

A nomination to the new safety guys honor roll called the "Top 200 Program" as in the 200 worst drivers at Prime. The prize is a come to Jesus meeting with safety, another dose of Smith System and a simulator evaluation.

Three outcomes... Pass, 30 days with a trainer and retest, or an invitation to go to orientation at CRE.

 

I applaud Prime for making this move. Too many guys can't run in winter conditions. There was no training to. Not a fan of mega carriers but I really gotta give them a hand for taking action on this.

 

By the way, the Smith System is a great tool that I use every day.

 

The guy who runs the orientation at my company swears by the Smith System, but the powers that be don't want the costs associated with it. So, is the system common sense, scientific, or just a bunch of "pay us cuz we know it all" nonsense (like J.J. Keller). I'm curious.

 

Part common sense, part scientific. Everything in the Smith System should be common sense, but it's not, even for seasoned drivers. It actually shows you what you miss seeing. I swear by it. In my opinion, I think every driver, CDL or not, should learn the Smith System and have to know it before obtaining a license. I thought I was a good attentive driver before learning about it, and I think it is the best tool out there.

 

It'll keep you from shortening the front end of your tractor significantly...

The deal is because of poor driving habits, not tuning up for winter. They have a simulator course for that too as I understand it.

 

what you were really lucky about is it wasn't much of a winter on 80 in WY