Prime: Orientation and Training?

after the 3 to 5 weeks do thay send u home and can i go to my brothers house in kentucy or do i have to go back to chicago

 

Its not a travel service. Plan on being gone 6 to 8 weeks before you get to go home. 3-5 weeks for CDL instruction with an instructor and then a couple weeks out with your trainer.

4 weeks is a good thumb rule for your CLD intruction. Prime is not going to send you home to wait for a trainer. The trainer will pick you up in Springfield soon after testing out for your liscence.

It will be up to your trainer and your Fleet manager to get you home after an initial couple weeks out. As far as going to KY instead of Chicago thats something you have to work out with your Fleet Manager (FM) and trainer.

 

Hey U2,
They told me that ater my CDL test I would be sent home to work with someone who lives close to me. Are they blowing smoke? Sounds like you live close to me. Are you a trainer or a wanna be trainer?

 

They try and get you a trainer that lives close to you to make hometime easieer. Im not blowing smoke, they will tell you on your first day to expect 6-8 weeks before getting home for your first home time. After that, it will be more reasonable. You may get home quicker than 6-8 tht first time, but dont get your hopes up.

Im currently not a trainer... Its a lifestyle choice at the moment.

 

I wasn't implying you were blowing smoke just that they may have been. If things work out I'll probably run into you some day around here. Take care.

 

Well Im like 37 for my bmi I wonder if they would have a huge problem for me. I must admit I do have a little fat but I also work out a lot. I can lift and bend down with the rest of the people

 

U2's not blowing smoke; my trainer lived 20 miles from me when I hooked up with him. That being said, 1) getting a trainer who you can work with is much more important than home time, and 2) matching smoking or non-smoking status is much more important than home time.

As far as "getting home," you're opting for a career that is based on being away from "home." If you have problems with that, go flip burgers somewhere - enjoy the minimum wage and "being home." Right now freight just plain sucks, and part n' parcel of "getting home" is being put on a load that gets you there. Don't plan on being home much - that's the reality of freight/the economy right now, and it pretty much doesn't matter who you drive for. Prime will try to get you home when you need to be there - if it happens take advantage of it. When and if things pick up, that will all change and it will be much easier to spend time at "home."

 

Hey homeyet978, I'm from Chicago as well, planning on putting my app in next week to Prime. Already took the IL CDL exam just last week for my permit and passed. Good luck to you , and maybe we'll meet up down there

 

That depends on a lot of things. I knew a guy who transitioned to A-seat solo after about 10 weeks - he had his CDL when he arrived for orientation. So add CDL training to that - you're probably looking at around 14 or 15 weeks minimum. Start adding home time, poor freight, etc. and it will take longer.

Your choice.

You can take "home" time wherever you'd like to that we route our trucks to.

CDL training is done in Springfield, MO. You may be dispatched out of Springfield, Pittston PA, Salt Lake City UT, or Denver CO - once they put the building back on it's foundations.

Your room and meal costs are absorbed by Prime while you are in Springfield getting your permit, and waiting for a trainer. The Campus Inn runs $50 a night. I've seen cheaper around Springfield and elsewhere... it just depends on where you are.

You need to know everything in the CDL manual outside of the crap for driving a bus. Definitely get a hazmat endorsement. Tankers and doubles is less important, unless you want to haul a tanker for Prime.

Missouri.

 

Shouldn't be a problem. Check your BP before you come, and you might want to visit the doctor to have your blood sugar checked. That's up to you...