Comments By Mark M.

I wouldn't worry about those lodgings just yet. I know you are not impressed, and that is understandable, but I bet you won't be there for long. In just a few days there will be several people that don't make the first cut. They will re-arrange you guys and try to put everyone in the Hotel of choice.

Then you won't be there for long either. Soon you will be living in a truck with a total stranger. At that point you may decide the Lamplighter wasn't so bad after all!

Haha was just thinking that as I was filling out the paperwork!

Hello all, this is my first entry in my training diary for Prime Inc. in Springfield Missouri.

Day 0 - Sunday - Arrive at Campus Inn, do some paperwork and check that I have no offenses in the database then they tell me there is no room at Campus Inn. They send me to a place called "Lamplighter Inn", and its interesting at best.

Im sure there are at least 3 groups of homeless people living in cars in the back lot, got asked if I needed company at one point by a nice young lady (I declined) and now outside of my window in there pool there are a group listening to loud music.

So far, not a great start. Im not going to judge anything on this, havent even gotten in a day of training. But this Inn I am NOT impressed with.

Other then that the drive up here was pretty easy, about 3 hours or so and nice weather. Will be nice to have my personal vehicle here I think, but time will tell.

Alright, will be back with Day 1 tomorrow after Im done!

Hey Mark, they are going to have a ton of stuff for you to work on after you get there. They have a lot of computer based knowledge and testing you will be doing. They have printed material for the pre-trip, but they want to give that to you while you are there. One reason is you will have a truck to look at while going through it. That makes a huge difference in how you learn this stuff. You are kind of jumping the gun with the recruiter. Their job is to get you signed up. They've accomplished that. They are not there to feed you a lot of material that you will be receiving at orientation or during your PSD phase.

There is still a lot you can be doing though. You seem motivated and that is the time to apply yourself. It looks like you have barely got started on our High Road CDL Training Program. While you have time and motivation you should really be working your way through that thing. There is so much helpful information in that program. Much of it will not be covered by your trainers. I highly recommend hitting that course hard and heavy.

We also have a great way for you to start preparing for learning your pre-trip wording and procedures. Check out these resources. Daniel's Pre-trip Inspection was put together by a Prime trainer. You will find it very helpful.

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

I hear you and am listening. Getting on that then. Thanks for the reply!

Ok so I got my CDL permit, got my DOT Physical card, got my drug screen.

Im set for October 11th, Monday to start at Prime Inc. Super excited.

I ask my recruiter for any info he has on things like the PTI and whatever else I can dive into, I want to start learning now.

He told me to look stuff up on youtube, that was it.

Am I being to nitpicky to say thats not really great answer from a recruiter? Am I jumping the gun?

I am really excited about starting this new career, this new path and hope it will last me 20 years.

Anyway, just wanted to see what you all thought!

There are three tests. General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles and air brakes. If you have been using the High Road Training program, it should be adequately preparing you. I also studied the drivers handbook for the state I took it in (Colorado) and I took free online practice tests. In other words, I used a 3 point attack on it. I wanted to be over prepared for taking the test.

As far as Knight goes, I spoke to my recruiter, He said there is a bout a two week back log right now, but if he has your info, he can get you in. Just my two cents worth. Again, Im not trying to sell you on Knight. Ive been happy there, but individuals results may vary, some settling of contents may occur during shipping.

Hey thanks for reaching out to Knight, they did get to me, but Prime was ready to get me going ASAP.

And from all Ive read there equally good at getting new drivers on the road. So we will see!

Ive heard they are too. Hopefully things go well for you there. Please, keep a diary going in the diaries section. You never know how your experience can benefit others and it will keep you accountable.

I mean Ill try, but following yours is going to be hard work! haha

At the least Ill get on my phone if not my laptop to update everyone as best I can.

Bedding, Sleeping Bag, Food, Clothes etc

What should I bring? I know there is a short list on the intro paperwork. And yeah I still have to get my CDL, but I want to be prepared.

Im super excited about this whole new career.

So suggestions on a pillow, sleeping bag, food, clothes, whatever else I need to bring on my training experience!

Thanks Mark

There are three tests. General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles and air brakes. If you have been using the High Road Training program, it should be adequately preparing you. I also studied the drivers handbook for the state I took it in (Colorado) and I took free online practice tests. In other words, I used a 3 point attack on it. I wanted to be over prepared for taking the test.

As far as Knight goes, I spoke to my recruiter, He said there is a bout a two week back log right now, but if he has your info, he can get you in. Just my two cents worth. Again, Im not trying to sell you on Knight. Ive been happy there, but individuals results may vary, some settling of contents may occur during shipping.

Hey thanks for reaching out to Knight, they did get to me, but Prime was ready to get me going ASAP.

And from all Ive read there equally good at getting new drivers on the road. So we will see!

Well I done did it!

Got my CLP, got my birth cert coming, got my DOT medical card and drug screen.

Starting with Prime Inc. on the 11th! Now just gotta word a nice email to my current job about terminating my employment lol

Thanks everyone for all the help and answers, and especially to the training here.

Scored 95% on the General and Combo test, 100% on the Air Brakes!

Mark, I'm not sure if this was part of your question, but you do not need any medical tests to get your CLP at the DMV but you will have to take a DOT physical exam/urine and hair follicle test before you can put your butt in a driver seat. If you go to a company that will train you to drive, they will arrange for you to get that DOT physical at no cost to you.

At least that's how I remember the process up nort' here in Wisconsin.

Yeah I was at the DMV this morning and did the general, and they asked if I had a DOT medical. I said no, and they listed me as a number 2 on the list, which Im not sure is what I need. But I talked to a few folks and I can go get a physical and then bring the card in to the DMV to get it on my CLP.

This process is so much better then trying to become a cop! haha

There are three tests. General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles and air brakes. If you have been using the High Road Training program, it should be adequately preparing you. I also studied the drivers handbook for the state I took it in (Colorado) and I took free online practice tests. In other words, I used a 3 point attack on it. I wanted to be over prepared for taking the test.

As far as Knight goes, I spoke to my recruiter, He said there is a bout a two week back log right now, but if he has your info, he can get you in. Just my two cents worth. Again, Im not trying to sell you on Knight. Ive been happy there, but individuals results may vary, some settling of contents may occur during shipping.

Hey I cant figure out how to private message here, maybe you cant.

You mind emailing me at markdmkc@gmail.com, I can give you my info and send it onto the recruiter?