My Training Experiance (as a Trainer)

I'm sure you're going to make a great trainer U2...best of luck to you and your student. I hope you like California!!

 

you will make a great trainer u2

 

Better luck with your next one U2. Maybe a Prime grad since they've already done at least three weeks in a truck? And thanks again, I'm really happy I found Prime!

 

Let's see... When I started Training,

Trainee #1: Quit after 3 weeks, wife problems.

Trainee #2: Quit after a month, Custody problems.

Trainee #3: Thrown off after 2 weeks, 23 years old, fired from swift, fired from Werner, thought he was god's gift to trucking.

Trainee #4: Quit after 2 weeks, Schneider told him they would put him on their program where he goes out 2 weeks, and then goes home for 1. I told him they were full of #### because of his experience level. A week later he calls me and asks if I can get him his job back, they had lied. He wanted me to come back and pick him up, but I was in the Instructor class already.

Since I became an Instructor, EVERY student I have had has become an A seat driver at Prime. If you go to Prime's school, you know what you're going to be doing, you know the system and you know what to expect. All that translates into a much higher retention rate among trainees.

Don't sweat the guy quitting on you U2. Prime knows these guys are more likely to quit. That's why we always seem to get hiring freezes on them.

 

As a current psd I fully agree. I don't know where or how otherwise I could have received the experience I've gotten in 18 days. Fully loaded through Fancy Gap and Flinstone, crazy drivers and traffic through NJ and NY, running mt in the rain (instructor had me brake hard in a safe location so I could "feel" the trailer tandems begin to slip). Plus all the non-driving aspects... I also think it's great that Prime gives you a week in the truck before you're committed to the tuition. Gives those that can't handle it an opt out essentially at no cost.

 

I've been enjoying the opportunity to be out here in a truck with a friend. I can't drive, as the company he works for doesn't do training. I've got to see a lot of different terrain (we've been everywhere from OH, PA, NJ, NY, MA, ME, CT, IN). It has helped a little getting the training on my skills from him. The bad thing is, by the time we get stopped for the night, the lots are full, and no room to practice. I did get some in this past weekend, and it has helped considerably. Unfortunately, after 2 weeks out on the road with him, I'm going to have to find a way to get back home this next week.

I've seen a LOT of Prime trucks up in the OH and PA area. I keep telling my friend I'm going to start asking them if they are looking to take on a trainee.

U2, I wish you luck with your training position. From what I've come to know of you from reading you here and at the Prime website, you will make a fantastic trainer and I hope you're recovering okay from your minor surgery. ~Hugs~

 

I would not trade my experience going through Prime's training program for any "school". In my month being trained for my CDL, I learned things they don't learn. For example, the first time I drove the truck was I-70 east of St Louis. We got off at EVERY exit so I could practice downshifting! I also learned what the lifestyle is like, which no school in a parking lot can every teach. I was trained in real world trucking, not the visions painted by the schools. When I got the CDL and went into B-seat, I knew exactly what I was getting into. I agree, U2, there is NO school that can touch this one. After I finish this lease next summer, I am considering getting a shiny Cascadia and becoming a trainer, so that I, too, can start scaring off trainees!