Comments By Kenneth A.

You'll be fine, that's nothing compared to what I've seen people come here to the Ol Campus Inn with. Some trainers say not to bring anything but a sleeping bag but they are just kidding. Daniel you need a student?? Get to the Campus lol 58 students waiting to go out, not counting those showing up this weekend

Campus Inn is completely full now apparently.....lol

I know there have been a few journals done with Prime so far but everyone has a different perspective and/or different experiences so I thought I would go ahead and throw my two cents in there to maybe help someone else.

8/23 - Boarded the Greyhound at 2:45 PM EST. Bus was little bit over half an hour late. Not usually an issue but I had the wife just drop me off instead of sticking around and did not know the franchise office for my pickup had recently closed. No one to check on the bus status with. Needless to say what was already a highly stressful situation (leaving wife and kids) that little bit almost caused a panic to set in. Knuckled down and took a deep breath. I eventually found someone that was able confirm that Greyhound still picks people up across the street but that I would be able to get my ticket in Columbus, OH and only had to give the driver my ID. So waited awhile for the bus to show up outside this little business

I will skip the normal bashing of Greyhound and say that it was unpleasant as I expected. (ie sitting next to two different people with severe halitosis)

8/24- Anyhow get into Springfield, MO training place and get checked in about 7 AM Sunday morning. Spent the morning filling in paperwork for tomorrow orientation as best as I can, got a shower, and went to this place up the road called Ziggies I think for breakfast since free meals don't start till dinner time. Took a nap then and was intending to just sit in the room and review Hazmat which I will have to test again when I tranfer to the MO license but decided to walk around and familiarize myself with the area instead. Almost 100 degrees here today but its nothing since there is so little humidity as compared to home.

Anyhow got back to my room and finally met my roommate who is an older gentleman from PA who was a bus driver before coming to Prime. I think he said he is of Kenyan decent and I already feel bad for having to ask him to repeat himself so much due his accent being so thick. C'est le vie.

Now we are almost up to present time and I am watching some TV while typing this and trying to put my thoughts in order. Going to force myself into some review time and then maybe a walk up to Walmart for some drinks and snacks to keep in the room with me once the sun goes down. Don't wanna test my statement about the temp not being bad while carrying some groceries....lol

Btw Tango is an awesome video chat app that I used today to talk with my daughter and we even played a few games. Very little in way of data used for a 15 min call (11.32 mb) in which I got to see wife and the kid. Not the same as being there but all the same it was as good as I could expect.

I just got my permit and know what school I'm going to so I'm looking for companies that do tuition reinbursment. (because I'm broke) TMC is one of them, and they have a fleet of Peterbilt's. I'm thinking to myself, how can you see over that box-hood? The visability must be terrible. Should new drivers try to avoid these?

http://www.tmctrans.com/drive-for-tmc/why-tmc/pay.aspx

They are no more difficult that any other truck.

Some of those trucks with the more curved lines could very deceptive in where they actually end. You know that flat box ends an inch or two past that corner. Just an example.

Any truck you drive will take a day or so to start getting used to its individual quirks.

I know Cell Phones are small but do any of you use the Trucker GPS apps? i was just curious and looking into them and found several with high reviews and some even have you put the weight and size of your trucks in.

The one i found "SmartTruckRoute" runs off google maps so its updated quite often...

I'm still new to all this starting the process with SWIFT as it seems to do what i need as far as schooling goes and i meet the requirements.

Actually was kind if curious about this one as well. Its got a tin of reviews and the screen on my Note 3 is pretty comparable in size for some GPS units

Here's the information on Prime Inc's Company Sponsored Training Program which includes minimum requirements, hiring areas, pay, benefits, and the training schedule.

I believe Prime hires from all 48 contiguous states but they only hire a limited number of drivers from Florida. They are also pretty tough to get on with as far as your driving and criminal history goes.

do you know anything about their work history requirements???? I have not worked in a long time due to helping out with elderly and ill family, most have passed away now that is why i am open to the idea of trucking.

10 years. Anytime not working will need a notarized letter explaining the gap in time. That is how it was explained to me anyhow.

thanks for that info... however i was just told by a Swift recruiter that i did not need notarized letter saying why i was not working... I guess something has changed with Swift. I was told by her just to say i was taking care of family and that would be fine.

Honestly you had better get in writing to that effect. I havent seen a company that hasn't want it documented yet.

I drove over 10 years ago and am recently getting back into it and its been the same thing the entire time.

Here's the information on Prime Inc's Company Sponsored Training Program which includes minimum requirements, hiring areas, pay, benefits, and the training schedule.

I believe Prime hires from all 48 contiguous states but they only hire a limited number of drivers from Florida. They are also pretty tough to get on with as far as your driving and criminal history goes.

do you know anything about their work history requirements???? I have not worked in a long time due to helping out with elderly and ill family, most have passed away now that is why i am open to the idea of trucking.

10 years. Anytime not working will need a notarized letter explaining the gap in time. That is how it was explained to me anyhow.

That just put an even bigger smile on my face for when I start there on the 25th

Hi--Love the site, it's been very helpful and informative.

I'm 24 and looking to get started as a truck driver, and I was wondering if there are any companies in New Jersey that will pay for CDL training and then hire me. All of the companies that I've looked at on this site have training facilities in other states, but I can't feasibly leave the area for 3-5 weeks to get my license. Anyone have any insight?

CR England had a training site there in Burlington, NJ about 10 years ago. Not sure if they are still there but couldnt hurt to call and ask. Be very careful and read up on them though before choosing CR England.

CR Review

CR England Overview Chart

Glad I was able to help! You'll do just fine, especially with that kind of score. If you have any questions about Prime give me a shout.

One question. Feel like training again?

Hello fellow drivers. A quick poll for ya`all. I'm looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth earpiece or light headset that is: not gaudy with a huge boom covering your face like a football helmet, that's light, loud so you can hear the person on the other end over road/engine noise. And can hear you and not road/engine noise. Under $100 is preferable, but if I have to pay more to get what I need, then so be it. What do you use?

I was reading some driver reviews on this one the other day that spoke very positively about it.

Blue Parrot Headset

Its not a full headset but you have to have some boom on the mic you plan on anyone being able to hear you after the noise cancelling does its job. The amazon reviews kinda go back and forth on it so I have been holding up on trying this one as of yet.