I sent in an online application, and it took a phone call to get the ball rolling. One thing about the application... bring all that info with you, because you will have to fill it out again once you get there.
I just graduated for a CDL class in the Atlanta area. I took my state test and passed. I now hold a class A CDL drivers license. If i choose to go to Prime do you know how my training will be handled? ( will I just do orientation then go OTR for the 3-6 months) & ( Do i still get the same pay as the other students that attended Primes CDL school?) I read your tread regarding "Going to Prime" I found your post were very helpful. When the recruiter called me today the only thing that caught me off guard was how long the training period was, 3-6 months seems very long. Then I stared to think its probably a good thing, more time with a veteran and more seat time with a veteran could only be a good thing . All the negative post about night driving doesn't scare me, but if you could tell me some of your negative experience during this training period it would be helpful.
if the recruiter is talking to you then there has been a policy shift... for a while there they were putting a freeze on all new cdl holders with no experiance... basically you had to have at least a year or go thru the cdl program. even better for you now... as to training problems, I really didnt have a whole lot... i chose to not go home and get my miles done quickly, but sometimes you need a break from the other guy. I got annoyed with some of the desicions to stop... I am more of a guy who likes to get near the destination and then sit if we have too... not a fan of giving yourself a small amount of leeway... some guys get with trainers and are totally incompatible...some guys will drive their 10 hour shift and then the trainer takes his and the guy is less productive mile wise... you here the reverse of that complaint too... where the trainer is geeting good distance out of his 10 and the trainee is stoping 4 times during his... you may be a slob to his standard or he to yours... if it is a safety issue and you feel you are being forced to do something unsafe you need to report it... just dont do it and get a ruling from safety... i would rather report it and get myself put with another trainer than put my life at risk... there could be a trainer who is lax on showing the ropes cuz its alot more than driving a truck...so you have to engage and involve yourself in that aspect. Just a couple examples I could think of... i got my training done and it was very thorough... but I still come accross situations where I have questions... I call my ex trainer, classmates, Prime etc until I get a good idea on how to handle the situatin
Can you give out your trainers name or some ppl that you know of that are good trainers? Im the type of person that has similar views like you! I rather run run run and make less stops. I would rather drive close to a drop then rest further away from one. On the flip side I keep reading about how some drivers are getting short run over and over. Do you run into this any, and if so when you refuse to take the load how do you tell the dispatch you dont want to take that load, and what are some of the draw backs from not taking a load?
Short runs aren't bad as long as they don't have a lot of time on them. Often times a short run will get you in position for a long or more desirable run. If you refuse too many loads, you will find yourself waiting long times for loads because they will take care of everyone else first who they know will take the load and run.
I dont have the luxury of turning down loads, being company... he's right about short runs... its about how much extra time is on it... if there is a Truck Stop nearby or they have Overnight Parking at the reciever, it doesnt hurt to show up early...unless there are specific instructions not to show up early (wal mart is one hour early only) As far as team getting short runs... they are usually loads that a solo could do in 2 days, but because of apptment times, a team is the only choice to run it legal... its especially nice for teams if its a sun or a monday and they can tack it onto that weeks check rather than getting a longer run that you spend fuel on this week but dont see the revenue until next weeks check. My guy isnt training... I cant really speak for anyone elses training style... theyve asked me to take the trainers course, and its something Im thinking about... but i dont see myself doing it till after winter
u2- PRIME GOT BACK TO ME AND I AM APRE HIRE, THEY TOLD ME I HAVE 30 DAYS TO CALL BACK TO GET MY BUS TICKET... I THINK I AM GOING TO DO THANKSGIVING AT HOME AND GO THE NEXT WEEK... THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR INFO.. IT HAS HELPED ME MAKE MY CHOICE..
I dont think you will be disappointed... Make sure you check you bus ticket... my recruiter mis-typed and sent me one to Massachusetts... one thing I reccomend you bring is some work boots... I have been fine in sneakers since march... but I found the need to buy some for the weather I am seeing now... all the info you filled in for the app...bring it, cuz they will have you fill it out again... a certified copy of birth cert... raised seal and all... and if you have any surgeries or medical problems you need to bring clearances from you doctors (how, what, and when you were treated) that kind of stuff held up alot of people in my class...
i need to clarify that I got my ticket straightend out before I would of had to transfer to a bus headed to Mass... Get the Prime 800 number cuz after hours your recruiters number isnt worth a crap... weekends also... Greyhound sucks...you can arrange other transportation but Prime will only re-imburse you for the cost of the discounted ticket they would have got you in the first place.
Do you know where all prime has terminals at..... I have seen 4 prime trucks on hwy 280 in alabama in the past couple of days....
