My Prime INC Experience. (A Running Log)

On the physical, do they make you lift and carry stuff around to check how strong you are? Since I haven't driven before, does that mean during the 4-6 months of training, you don't get paid or you just don't get paid for the 5-6 weeks you are with a trainer? Thank you!

 

You won't get a paycheck during CDL instruction... PSD, for about 100 hours of driving. Prime does advance you $200 per week that you have the choice of using or not. That money is paid back at the rate of $25 per week AFTER you're hired, and are earning. When you receive your CDL at the end of PSD and start TnT training, you're hired and earn a paycheck.

 

[h=3]Attend Prime's "On-the-Job" Truck Driver Training Program:[/h]

• Obtain a permit in your state.
• Drive on the road 3-4 weeks with a CDL instructor.
• Return, pass Skills Test - Obtain Class A CDL.
• Team with a trainer for 4-6 months with guaranteed pay.
• Maximum note - $3500 - No Interest!
• Entire note forgiven after one year of association.

- See more at: http://w3.primeinc.com/cdl-training#sthash.y5qdm6b4.dpuf

On the Prime website, it says team with a trainer for 4-6 months with guarenteed pay. It is listed under the "Potential drivers" section, that's where I got it from.

 

Wow what a week lots of miles for my first week of psd training with my instructor driving from east to west coast he's great im learning how to drive,shift and back and everything else that goes with being a professional truck driver this guy is a good instuctor an is very patient being that everthing is new to me. Your first day at orientation will be long so suck it up deal with it being at prime your gonna have to be patient thats just the way it is. I strongly advise u come with a cdl permit , your gonna have to do another app when u get here be prepared dont leave out anything its basically what u gave your recruiter if u cant remember call your recruiter. Drug test ,physical, fingerprint background check and interview its all pretty simple dont worry unless your on drugs then dont come cause u will go home on your on dime. All n all im glad i came you will be too. I want to give a BIG shout out to my recruiter- Thanks

 

It's nice to be able to get information on a company that one is interested in with a minimum of negativity. Thank you! I'm about 90 miles north of Phoenix Arizona. Do they train out of Utah or is it strictly MO? Being female, will this hold me back? Meaning....will I have to wait an extended amount of time to obtain a female trainer? Which tests should I be studying for to obtain the permit here in AZ? General knowledge, air brakes, pre-trip, combination? (Sounds like having your permit beforehand is to one's advantage.) The year contract to be fulfilled to pay the company back for their training starts the day you go solo? After going solo,(if I hopefully make it to that point...though I'm pretty determined) I plan on paying the deposit to have my Chihuahua with me. Just can't give her up. Anyone else have their dog with them? I am impressed the amount of training provided by this company. Driving 80K lbs around is serious business and I don't think it's smart to throw people out on the road with little training. Any loads ever go to Prescott or Flagstaff AZ?

 

Only folks coming with a CDL in-hand go to orientation at Salt Lake. PSD (for students with a CDL-permit) is only held at Springfield MO.

In your career? No, it shouldn't hold you back- there are plenty of female drivers out there. It will present a problem if you hold out for a female-trainer. However, there are an increasing number of male instructors and trainers available for female trainees. I'd think they are rather strictly monitored considering the problems that Prime has encountered in the past.

Sounds about right. You won't need the pretrip for the permit test IIRC. Check with your state licensing department in Arizona, and yes, having the permit out of the way before you come to orientation is preferable.

Yes, when you upgrade to A-seat.

Yep. I like having a dog with me too. Scheduling vet visits and other pet-care appointments can be challenging. Doing it in a small market like Springfield helps a lot... no two-week waits to get in, especially when you're gone in a couple of days.

We run I80 a lot, and I've delivered in Phoenix. If you're wondering about hometime, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Ironpony, thanks for the info. I have no problem having a male trainer, I just assumed they paired you with same gender like a lot of other companies do and I've heard of long wait times for female trainers. But if Prime doesn't do it that way, it's fine with me. As long as the guy isn't a slob (the "werner trainer craps himself" thread) or a psycho I don't care.

How long does it take to get to the point you can get a good period of sleep? I imagine it must take some getting used to sleeping in a truck. How do you guys get TV channels out on the road? Are most deliveries a nightmare to get backed in to (tight spaces, blocking traffic, heavily congested, etc)? Do you have to chain up very often when the weather gets bad? Must be a little nerve racking going down steep icy grades! Lots of questions and curiosity!!

 

Tv? My trainer doesnt have a tv, or a microwave, or the need to have the a/c on at night or the need to shower or even eat lol. Picking up our last load and taking it to springfield today. Gonna spend a couple days backing and take the test. Its hard to sleep whike the truck is moving but havent had a problem falling asleep while its stationary.