Profile For Cato

Cato's Info

  • Location:
    TX

  • Driving Status:
    Company Driver In Training

  • Social Link:

  • Joined Us:
    7 years, 3 months ago

Cato's Bio

I have a commercial license but no OTR experience, I am considering a career in trucking. I have always wanted to. My son is older now and my wife is open to the idea of me being gone for long periods of time until the kiddo turns 18. We have thought that when we become empty nesters to go live full time on the truck without a house payment so we can save money and build a comfortable retirement. Any advise is welcome.

My wait is over, I am going to Prime's Student Driver Program, I will update a training diary with the subtle differences between my journey and someone is fresh without a CDL yet. >

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Posted:  6 years, 8 months ago

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Does anyone else prefer being on the road?

I've been with Prime since Sept in my own truck since the end of November. I picked up my wife before Christmas and have been out since. We went through my hometown last week and decided to take a 34 at the house. After sitting at the house (doing laundry and catching up with friends) we both decided we preferred being out on the road. Being at home was almost more stressful than being out on the road. Does anyone else feel this way?

Posted:  7 years ago

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Prime Inc upgrade solo

You sgouod be able to get a mattress ask the detail shop. As far as the smoke smell it'll take a while for the smell to go away

Posted:  7 years ago

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Prime sending me home

It shouldn't be. My brother had a similar issue with Prime and was able to go to PAM without any hassle. Call around you should be able to find something else. Dont let this get you down...

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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Just Another Trucker Training Diary?

Hey Paul! It was nice to meet you today and congrats on passing!!! I really am happy for you good luck on your TnT journey I hope its a better experience than tbe PSD phase. Keep your head up, l was watching you test out and you handled that truck like a pro ;)

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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My Prime Journey

Well, I tested out today got all 3 on the first try. Even though l was already a CDL holder it was definatly an accomplishment as I havent driven anything bigger than a Nissan Maxima in several years. The test was more laid back since it was just Primes evaluation but i was still a little stressed. I am glad its over now and i am movong on to the TnT phase ( on the road with a trainer team driving). I should be leaving out late next week if i can get a sleep study done. I am really glad that i started this journey with Prime, I have found such a wonderful group of drivers who genuinely seem to like the company they drive for... Thats hard to find with such a big company. I hope everyone else who is considering or starting a career in this field finds the positive learning environment i have found with Prime. While i miss my family (my little one's birthday is tomorrow) I wouldnt trade this experience for the world. It can only get better from here and its already pretty awesome

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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Yet Another Prime Training Diary

Good luck at Prime SLC! I just finished the PSD portion in Sprimo. Good luck and stay positive the instructors there want you to be successful. Backing and shifting isnt as hard as it seems...its just a little intimidating at first. I look forward to following you on uour journey. Welcome to Prime :)

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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My Prime Journey

Correction.... After lunch you are either in the SIM lab or on the practice pad practicing driving. It alternates every other day... And when the instructed and you agree you are ready to test out you gwt the night before the test off so you can sleep and be ready for test since they only test during the day. The test is performed by Prime testers not state testers since you are already licenced... Its just Prime's way of evaluating if you are a capable driver or not. Its easier than the actual teat because they are not as strict.

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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My Prime Journey

So the first night of Night Classes starts on Saturdays and you will be in the SIM room all night. For the most part you are just running drills on the simulators. There is also winter driving training and trip planning. Trip planning is easy if you know how to use an atlas. Day 2-5 Sunday - Thursday you start at the backing pad to work on backing maneuvers, actual shifting in the truck, and city driving. After lunch break you're back in the SIM room working on simulators. CDL holders typically test out within a week but you have to be in class for a mining of 5 days (Prime policy). We still test like non CDL holders minus the stress of actually getting the CDL, but we must pass in order to get hired. Test includes pretrip (in cab and engine typically) backing maneuvers (straight back parallel and offset) and city and highway driving. The instructors won't let you schedule the test until they know you are ready... They get payed for you to pass and move one to TnT. Over all not to bad.

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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My Prime Journey

Well I got through orientation and everything that entails.... DOT physical, drug test, agility test ( lifting up 65 lbs, outing a tarp on a shelf over my head, climbing a ladder, standing on one foot, and holding a plank position for 3 seconds), all of the computer based training modules ( about 3 hours worth of computer study), simulator classes, and various classes. The simulator gave me vertigo so bad I tossed my lunch so they excused me from the class (probably didnt want me throwing up on the simulator... Good call). Friday came and a lot of folks still didn't have their permits and backgrounds cleared. I was waiting on some paper work from my primary care doctor but it came in around lunch time. I was told that everyone who comes through the program who already has their Class A CDL goes through an expressed PSD called Night classes. From 730 pm to 6 am lasting about a week. I was under the impression I was one of the few that already had my CDL, not true I was one of 3 tbis week and most weeka they have a handful of studenta who already have the CDL but not the necessary miles or experience to skip tbe TnT phase. I start night classes tonight and should be TnT soon. I'll post again with more info about night classes after I get through tonight... Wish me luck I've been up most of the day. embarrassed.gif

Posted:  7 years, 1 month ago

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My Prime Journey

I hope to see you around Paul! I just got in the bus trip was not what I was expecting but it I arrived safe and almost on time. I only had the $100 orientation fee to pat since I already have my CDL and endorsements. They give you a wake up call at 0545 the cafe opens at 0600 and the first class is at 0700. We shall see what to.borrow has in store.

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