Prime: Orientation and Training?

My miles are down about 16% from last year - that's the economic meltdown, but my paycheck seems to be about even. That's mostly from per mile increases and the fuel bonus that they started paying in May last year. Six of these, half dozen of them... can't complain i guess. Through the first 16 weeks of the year, I averaged around 2200 miles per week; keep in mind that this includes January and February that are historically the really low freight months of the year. Even with the economy the way it is, I expect that my average for the year will be higher.

As far as BP meds go, they'll put you on a yearly schedule for your medical recerts, instead of every two years. As long as it's working, you're not getting sleepy from it, and your BP is within the limits, you should be fine.

 

iron pony i was reading on another thread that it usually about 1100 dollars for toll roads going thru customs going to canada and other stuff is that true ? doe s prime reimburse you for that money driver s used or that driver loses money

 

$1100 to go into Canada? I haven't driven into Canada in a couple of years but I never remember spending more than 50. Anyone been up there lately and confirm or deny that.

 

Tnman03,
As long as your B/P is under 140/90 it is okay if you are on meds. I currently take two meds for B/P and it is fine as long as your pressure meets guidelines. By the way, you are given three tries to get your pressure down. If it is too high on the day of the physical, you will come by the next two mornings to have it checked to get it in line. Drink lots of water, lay off the caffeine and cigs before your physical and you should be fine.

 

Today was CDL permit test day with Missouri DMV and smith class and simulator for those who had their permit. Tommorow is hazmat and sexual harassment class. I thought highly of Prime anyway but let me relate what is happening to me. I am having an issue with my birth certificate with the state of missouri to get my CDL. (something about the state seal....whatever). Anyway, not allowed to test so I thought I was going to be sent home to get paperwork straight. Working with Matt and several others, they helped me file for the correct certificate, I am still going to all my required classes and Prime is allowing to stay over the weekend in the company hotel with meal tickets while I get all this squared away. I am getting additional simulator time this weekend so it is a bonus to me as well. I will say ATTITUDE is everything here. Leave your attitude at the door and Prime will work with you to get things done. We have lost a few in class to that "Super Trucker" attitude so leave that at the door in orientation and you will be fine. Will update again tomorrow if anything of interest happens here in Springfield......

 

I am glad to hear that Prime has changed the way they train their students. I was there 8 years ago, and had to put in a year because they paid for the trucking school. I was a total newbie, never even stepped in a truck before. When I was with a trainer, as soon as I started driving, she would go to bed. I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I was a nervous wreck the first time I had to pull into a scale. lol We were doing 5 on, 5 off. I had to drive the miles, while she drove the actual time. She was in the sleeper the first time I had to back into a dock. Needless to say I requested a different trainer, and my new trainer basically did the same thing, but I did learn more from him. Prime had guaranteed me 500.00 a week, but I never saw that at all. I quit after my year was up, and teamed with a great guy that also left. The only thing I learned from Prime was what not to do in trucking. I wish you all the luck and drive safe.

 

Trainer or instructor? Instructor teaches you during your permit phase, and has to sit next to you while you drive... Trainer is after you get your CDL... you run team with a trainer.

 

Ive had a couple good weeks. Overall Total since the Aug. 1, when I started on my own, till now Im averaging 2081miles/week.... that includes 28 days taken at home (4 weeks)... factor the hometime out, the overall average is now 2300

From Aug-Dec 31... Average was 2228 miles/week... factor out the 2 weeks worth of hometime and its 2599.

For this year alone, Jan 1 to present... I am averaging 1935/week (including home time of 15 days)... factor out the 2 weeks worth of home... the average is 2138.

Thats almost 500 miles/week change... I seem to be doing alot better on my fuel milage, even after the raised the minnimum. The fuel bonus helps. Ive also seen 2 pay raises from .30 to .34 and then to .35... and I am about a week or two away from another .005 increase.

I have seen my numbers start to turn around.

I am starting hometime tommorow... so here are my last 5 weeks starting with this weeks numbers.

2537 (only 3 days worked... the miles carried over from load I started last week)
513
3056
1679
2203

because of the overlapping load between paychecks the 513 and 2537 weeks represent 10 days rather than 2 seperate weeks(because I am taking 4 days of from this week)

 

I forgot to mention... the milage pay is broken down into 2 parts... milage and per diem... so my rate is .35 and is payed out as .28 taxed milage and .07 untaxed per diem.

In addition to that Ive been getting on average .02 to .022 per mile in fuel bonus based on my MPG.

With the new Minimum being 6.5, I havent had a chance to familiarize the MPG to bonus rate... but it can go as high as .04/mile... Im guessing that top end pay per MPG may be as high as 8.0

BTW 6.5 or better.... If your avg for 3 weeks is below the minimum there are a couple of steps. First they turn your truck down. After that you either re-train, or your let go.

42 weeks and Ive missed bonus 5 times... 2 time for mechanical, 2 times lead footing my way home...

 

Hello all, maybe wrong forum, but I will ask away and hopefully someone can help answer my question.
First of all, I have my application in and it's almost approved...sounds like I may be starting next week. I just got into Springfield yesterday and staying with some family.

1. If my wife and son live here in Springfield, will I have a better chance of seeing them a little more that if they lived some where else? Basically, how often are you guys coming in through the Springfield yard?

2. My blood pressure is borderline. Whenever they use digital machine, it seems higher than when they do the manual pressure check. Does anyone remember if they use the digital machines or is there a nurse that uses the manual pressure check? I am drinking tons of water and trying to stay away from caffeine until after the orientation.

Well, I guess that is it for now....this forum has been very informative and help me understand things alot better. Now maybe I won't be completely dumb going into orientation...lol.

Thanks ahead of time for any help that anyone can provide...

Kevin