Prime: Orientation and Training?

Hey notarps! Your comment about the accomodations is the first nice thing I've ever seen you write about Prime!

Interesting how two peoples' impressions of an event can be so entirely different. But then again, my experience with Prime has been totally different than notarps. Orientation was September '07 for me.

My orientation was in Springfield (not sure about notarps) - and it was both professional and well done. No misinformation, the presenters were both very well versed and professional, and although there was a little confusion over schedule it was because there were three different classes of drivers with differing requirements. CDL students, inexperienced CDL holders going into training, and experienced drivers... three different tracks which they were trying to get all the people requiring common segments in the same room at the same time. I've done that sort of thing before, and its challenging - I thought they did pretty well.

As far as diabetes is concerned... as long as its under medical control and you can qualify for a med card, Prime is ok with it. They are putting upper limits on BMI and will disqualify you for undiagnosed sleep apnea.

 

The way I see it, if you don't have the job yet...you don't have anything to lose by disclosing the info.

However, if you fail to disclose this info and lie about it, you definitely won't have a job with Prime or any other trucking company.

 

I was at springfield. I am talking about when the classes was split up as well. Me and my roomate was in the same class. Even our handouts clashed. The study guides had different answers. The instructors handed out different schedules. One would say be at this room at such and such time the other would list other times and other places to be. The instructors would start ranting. When they finally got us all together and started giving the speech about being where we was suppose to be on time and they were shown the different schedules they had passed out all they had to say was well you were suppose to be here.

Great get organized and maybe we will be. As I said the whole ordeal was a goat roping session. Even when we was told (flatbedders) study up on this guide. You will have to take a test. Do not worry about the reefer part it does not apply to you. So we go down to take these test after looking at the material. Stacy or lacy? Not sure of her name. No; you have to be tested on reefers. It is mandatory at prime... What the flip? I don't know squat about reefers I am a flat bedder. Why should I have to watch 2 hours of films and test on something I will never touch. You want me to do it? Fine pay me to do it. I am not getting paid here at orientation. Like I said the whole orientation was a cluster followed by truck selection, and every other thing I dealt with. By far the worst OTR gig I ever was introduced to.

 

Lessee... only had a few gals in the group of presenters when I went through... Verna talked about logs (she does fuel desk stuff normally) and one of the payroll gals on those issues. There was another on medical benefits, and of course the nurse. That's just wierd.

If things were as goofed up when I went through, I'd probably have a poorer opinion of the place as well.

 

We had I don't know maybe 6 or 7 different people come in and tell us stuff. Not counting security and a few others that popped in. When we were studying in the room my roommate asked me how I answered something and I told him. Then I wasn't sure about another question and I asked him what he thought. Our answers started clashing from the study guides. We got to looking and it was the same tests, but different study guides. Several questions had a different answer in the study guides. When The tests were reviewed in class. We would answer out loud and those that were told no you are wrong.

We said not according to the info you passed out. The instructor looked at it and blew it off saying you have the wrong study material. Well; duh you gave it to us. Who dropped the ball on that one? I do not think that any 2 people up there running that operation was on the same page.

 

Couldn't have been more different when I went through the process... we also had multiple presenters, but everyone was on the same page. Hope that indicates a change for the better.

As I've said before, in the reefer operation things seem to run quite well. Can't say how things are on the flatbed side - never worked for them.

I was reading some of the posts in other threads this morning... "Super Service" comes to mind. Now that's a jacked-up operation. If I'd ever have been treated that way by Prime, I'd have been gone long ago. Same way you left from the flatbed side. Money's good, treated well, don't have to run illegally.

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

God Bless!

Jim

 

Well, I start Prime orientation this Wednesday.

Took a couple months to get required paperwork to them and approved.

I already have a trainer lined up. Met him a few months ago. A lease op guy that actually makes money. He'll be in Springfield for some PM and recall work on Friday and hopefully ready to pull out the following Monday.

I will do the company thing for at least a year, then decide whether to stay company or buy a truck. My plan at this time is to get as much experience possible with Prime. If I'm treated fairly, I will likely stay with them, if not, well..... not.

I did already hit a snag with them, though. I was to start as a B2 seat. I didn't find out I was reclassified by safety as a C seat until after I resigned from my former training company. I can live with this. I would like as much experience as possible before going solo. I also have one non-preventable accident. Something about being rear ended by another truck on I-80 back in October.

I really am just hoping this ends up being a much more positive experience than my last one.

What can I expect at their orientation? I already heard it from my recruiter, but I'd like to hear from someone that's been through it. Maybe it's already in these pages and I missed it.

 

Try going up a couple posts.

 

What was your first training company that was a bad experience?