Dakota's Prime Inc. Diary

Super news to read! Congratulations!

Thanks, PackRat!

Super news to read! Congratulations!

Quick question. What division do you plan on going to? Reefer , flatbed or tanker?

Quick question. What division do you plan on going to? Reefer , flatbed or tanker?

New to the forum and I've really enjoyed reading these diaries. they really help give a prospective student an idea of what to expect. I too am going to go to prime. I'm just trying to make sure my blood pressure is exactly where it needs to be so I don't have any hiccups once I get to the Prime facility. I'm in California so I will be attending orientation in Utah instead of Missouri though.

My question regarding your question is: What is best in your opinion and why? I'm going after all my endorsements so I can with any of them.

To INIKITS, congrats on passing your permit tests! I too am not keen on the bus ride thing... I may opt to fly myself out there if I can afford a plane ticket.

Thank you, Dragon! I would almost suggest that, because I think I may have caught something from one of the other bus riders, but that’s something you could run into using any type of public transportation, I suppose.

I know your question was directed at icecold, but from what I understand if you’re new it may be a good idea to start out reefer or flatbed. Flatbed is more labor intensive and tankers are more dangerous to drive because they’re more likely to flip depending on the load. I would definitely wait for an answer from icecold, but from training that’s what I’ve come to understand as the facts.

Quick question. What division do you plan on going to? Reefer, flatbed or tanker?

New to the forum and I've really enjoyed reading these diaries. they really help give a prospective student an idea of what to expect. I too am going to go to prime. I'm just trying to make sure my blood pressure is exactly where it needs to be so I don't have any hiccups once I get to the Prime facility. I'm in California so I will be attending orientation in Utah instead of Missouri though.

My question regarding your question is: What is best in your opinion and why? I'm going after all my endorsements so I can with any of them.

To INIKITS, congrats on passing your permit tests! I too am not keen on the bus ride thing... I may opt to fly myself out there if I can afford a plane ticket.

Quick question. What division do you plan on going to? Reefer, flatbed or tanker?

I plan on going into the Reefer division! I thought about flatbed, but being a new driver I think it would be easier to start out with reefer and transfer to flatbed if I want to later on in my career. I got the news today that I’m all cleared to go and I should be getting a trainer soon. I’m hoping it’s by this weekend because I am ready to GO.

Thanks for your insight INIKITS! I appreciate any and all input I can get. I've heard the bus rides are pretty horrible especially for larger guys. I'm 6'2" 215 lbs. If prefer to just fly out provided I can afford a ticket when the time comes. I'm working on losing another 15-25 lbs if possible before I apply and making sure myg blood pressure is in the acceptable range. I'm right at the cutoff right now. Testing about 130/90 sometimes 140/85. I know extra weight makes the heart work harder and I'm taking a bunch of supplements and eating a super low sodium vegetarian diet. Hopefully in a couple weeks I'll be looking better and I can get my physical done so I can go to the DMV and get my permit. Could be another month though. I'm exercising every day doing pushups, sit ups, and riding my recumbent bike or indoor recumbent exercise bike. I've come down from 250 lbs so it is working.

I was thinking along the same lines as you regarding the reefer division. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your journey.

You can do it! Once you get it into an acceptable range I wouldn’t sweat it too hard once you get here. They let guys do their blood pressure test like three times until they got it to pass. They’re gonna do everything they can to try to get you through the program as long as they see you putting in the work.

I would suggest maybe talking to a recruiter here about the permit because some places won’t transfer to the MO location, so I’m not sure about the other one. I would just double check to be sure so you don’t spend your money prematurely.

I look forward to hearing your journey also if you decide to post a diary!

Thanks for your insight INIKITS! I appreciate any and all input I can get. I've heard the bus rides are pretty horrible especially for larger guys. I'm 6'2" 215 lbs. If prefer to just fly out provided I can afford a ticket when the time comes. I'm working on losing another 15-25 lbs if possible before I apply and making sure myg blood pressure is in the acceptable range. I'm right at the cutoff right now. Testing about 130/90 sometimes 140/85. I know extra weight makes the heart work harder and I'm taking a bunch of supplements and eating a super low sodium vegetarian diet. Hopefully in a couple weeks I'll be looking better and I can get my physical done so I can go to the DMV and get my permit. Could be another month though. I'm exercising every day doing pushups, sit ups, and riding my recumbent bike or indoor recumbent exercise bike. I've come down from 250 lbs so it is working.

I was thinking along the same lines as you regarding the reefer division. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your journey.

Yeah according to other diaries and the Prime Inc website of you are attending orientation in Utah you must obtain your CDL permit from your home state prior to coming to Utah. I will double check with someone at Prime before I head to the DMV but from everything I have researched that is how they do it for the Utah facility. I know if I were to go to MO I would get my permit in MO. Unless things changed in the last week I think I have to get my CA permit then setup my orientation date.

So I met my trainer today and I’m not 100% sure if we’re going to click. He came on pretty strong with enforcing that he’s been driving for 19 years and he knows what he’s doing and not to tell him he’s inexperienced. I understand that he wanted me to be confident in him, but it was borderline hostile sounding. He assured me that he would yell, but then would explain why he yelled and he’d go right back to being a nice guy.

What are yalls opinion on this? I know I’m new so I could be reading him really wrong, but it was kind of hard to read him. One minute he seemed hostile and the next he was being cordial. I thought maybe I would give it a week at the least, but I also don’t want to waste his time if I’m already having second thoughts after talking to him for 30 minutes.

So I met my trainer today and I’m not 100% sure if we’re going to click. He came on pretty strong with enforcing that he’s been driving for 19 years and he knows what he’s doing and not to tell him he’s inexperienced. I understand that he wanted me to be confident in him, but it was borderline hostile sounding. He assured me that he would yell, but then would explain why he yelled and he’d go right back to being a nice guy.

What are yalls opinion on this? I know I’m new so I could be reading him really wrong, but it was kind of hard to read him. One minute he seemed hostile and the next he was being cordial. I thought maybe I would give it a week at the least, but I also don’t want to waste his time if I’m already having second thoughts after talking to him for 30 minutes.

From a lot of the diaries I have read it seems like that's how a lot of the trainers are. Heck, a lot of truck driver's in general seem to be that way. Type A personalities. I say stick with it and see how it goes. Hard to tell a lot from a 30 minute introduction. Of course if you are with him for a week and simply can't stand to be in the truck with him then speak with your recruiter and see if you can get a change. It will most likely slow you down a couple of days waiting for them to find you a new trainer but what do I know LOL I'm not even there yet. If he's been driving 19 years and is a trainer with Prime I'm sure he knows his stuff and could impart a wealth of knowledge if you can get along. Just my 2 cents. I'm sure a veteran will chime in with some sage advice for you. Best of luck.