looking at prime for a starter company

Training for new students is done on a truck for 100 hours in real life conditions before you test for your CDL. The week long orientation before you go out with an instructor is held in Springfield, MO.

They will get you a Greyhound ticket, or if you want to get there another way, will reimburse you what the ticket would have cost.

We have a manned drop yard in Auburndale, and 2 Prime Floral facilites, one in Miami, and one in Pierson.

Someone else will have to grab this one, my last physical was done on hometime.

It depends on what you want to do. If you're team, you'll be sharing space with someone in the truck, which is about the size of a small closet. Once your training is done you'll have a good idea if you want to team or not.

As a note, Prime's policies on hiring out of Florida are very fluid. It would be worth it to check with recruiting and make sure that you're in an area that we are currently hiring in. You are north of I-4 so that is a good thing, as most of the hiring freezes are usually for those south of I-4, but they have been known in the past to shut down hiring for the entire state of FL.

Best of luck to you.

 

I'll answer what I can for you.

First of all, I went to a private CDL school before joining up with Prime. If I could do it all over again, I'd just do everything here at Prime. We have a great CDL program with 1 on 1 instruction. No reason to use a private CDL school with 4 to 1 instruction, sharing trucks, waiting in line for your turn to drive, etc. Just my advice.

I can't comment much on Stevens as I've never worked for them. They seem to have nice equipment and their drivers seem pretty happy. But I think they push the lease program real hard there...from what I've heard. Prime has never pressured me to lease. They haven't even asked.

All I can tell you is that I've been very happy with Prime. As long as you're prepared for the OTR lifestyle, come on over. I'd recommend Prime to anybody interested in a great OTR training company.

Some of the others will have to confirm this, but I believe we have CDL training and orientation in Springfield, MO, Salt Lake City, UT, and Pittston, PA. The majority end up in Springfield, and that's where I'd want to be if given the choice. You'll only be there for about a week or so before you're sent out with an "instructor" for a few weeks. You do all your CDL training out on the road in the real world. Then come back to the terminal and test out (Springfield, MO only I believe).

If you already come in with your CDL and need to go out with a trainer, you'll go to orientation at either Springfield, MO, Salt Lake City, UT, or Pittston, PA. I got onto a trainers truck the day orientation ended.

Yes, or you can drive yourself, fly in, take a train, etc. They will reimburse your travel expenses up to the cost of what the bus ticket would have been. I chose to fly in as I don't deal with Greyhound. Especially what would have been a 14hr ride.

Not really. We have some property there, one of which has showers, parking, a lounge, etc. But it's more of a warehouse used for our Floral division and it's not in a location we drive through often. The only reason anybody ever really goes there is if they are picking up or delivering a load there.

Go to Google and enter: "DOT physical exam." All of that will be a part of it. Prime also requires that your BMI is under 39. Don't worry, they're not going to make you run a mile or do 50 sit ups. If you can pass a pretty basic medical exam and physical, you'll be fine. High blood pressure is probably the biggest thing that gets people sent home. So if you have high blood pressure, get on some medication for it before you come out to orientation.

That's all a personal preference. After you receive your CDL, you'll be running a team dispatched truck with your trainer. In other words, you'll experience what a team truck environment is like right off the bat, like it or not. Prime has a very extensive training program, so you'll be doing that for several months. Once training is over, you can decide if you want to drive team or not. You'll certainly make more money in a team truck. But I just can't do it. I need and love my space. Solitude is one of the reasons I do this job. Solo is the only way for me.

My advice is to read as much info as you can about as many companies as you can. Hopefully your top choices will give you offers. The main thing is, no matter what company you choose, stick with your first company for a minimum of one year. That first year is tough and switching companies probably wont make your problems any better. Plus, jumping ship quickly will turn off a lot of potential employers in the future. Show some dedication first. After 1 solid year of safe driving, many more opportunities will open up for you if you want to explore. After 2 years, an even bigger door opens with even better opportunities. Just stick it out for a while. In my case, I've been with Prime almost 2 years now and have no plans on going anywhere. The grass is nice and green from my viewpoint!

Good luck!

 

It usually is if there is a septic tank under it...

 

I prefer the waste and garbage to be out of sight. Don't you?

I drive a nice truck. When I first started my truck was a lemon, so they gave me another one. This one has been great, but it's a few years old so they'll want it back soon. I wish I could keep it longer.

We have the newest and best trailers on the road.

I get great miles. Lately, the only thing holding me back is the government. We always drive legal.

I am respected. Last time I was home I wanted an extra day off. The only response from my fleet manager was him confirming which day I'd be coming back out. Done.

I am paid higher than industry average for my experience level.

I have traveled to all 48 continental states in two years......twice.

While your play on words was creative. They sure did bury that septic tank pretty deep, didn't they?

Funny. When you actually drive for somebody you like, you tend to form a bit of loyalty to your employer. Isn't it a bit strange that the loyalty is easily spotted here on the Prime boards, but is very difficult to find on the boards for just about any other company? I guess those other companies use outhouses.

I can go on and on, but I really must get going. After all, I have a 2,300 mile run to get started on.

Cheers.

 

Mikey,

Spend a moment and do just a little research.

Most of the tickets issued to prime drivers are for NO medical card, and No drivers license.

 

http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/Data/Basic3.aspx?enc=nt4RF547ZNDuKx97r8hcvg==

 

I have posted for companies that I was loyal too. They was companies that earned my respect. Prime was not one of them.

 

You'll be going to Springfield MO.

Your room and meals are provided for by Prime while you're there. If you need some financial assistance, they advance you some money to cover your expenses while on the road - paid back in small installments after you're employed.

You're not an employee until you receive your CDL.

BTW... that 123-character is a total looser who trolls all of the threads around here. Notarps is just PO'd that not everybody instantly realizes that in his own mind he's the monkey's gift to trucking.