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9/11/17 Monday:

This past Thursday I got a trainer.. he's a very knowledgeable and awesome dude and I feel good about heading out on the road with him. I'm also his first student. Thursday-Sunday I worked on my backing skills, pre trip, and some night driving with my trainer. I was a little discouraged the first few times I attempted backing but my trainer saw something in me and personally asked me in Thursday if he could be my trainer and what he could do to get me on his truck. (He smokes and I originally did not want a trainer that smokes.. he did promise me certain things and I know he'll keep up his end of the bargain regarding his smoking). Today we are leaving on our first load to Columbus Ohio for a 0500 delivery tomorrow morning. My trainer will be doing most of the driving to get us there on time but after this load I'll be doing all of the driving. I'm excited! Wish me luck and I'll try and update again later this week!

Paul - yeah I was pretty much running around all day yesterday and today. Good luck on the road!!!

Ed, thanks for the update! I am so glad to hear you got past the blood pressure test. I hadn't seen you around before I headed out yesterday so I feared the worst. Good luck out there!

The trainer/instructor I spoke with yesterday turned out to be a no go. Long story short.. he straight up lied to me about his smoking habits. (I hate the smell of smoke.. it makes me sick to my stomach).. and I was getting a really weird feeling about him. So I sent him a message this morning to let him know that we were not a good match and he should look for a different student and so on. He never responded.. glad I went with my gut feeling and did not go on the road with him. I ended up seeing him leave the campus inn with a new student. Him not responding just reassured me of my weird feeling about him. It's rude not to respond. Period. Even if your mad.

But all is good! Tomorrow I head over to the training pad to drive some trucks and maybe I'll get a call from an instructor soon.. been here for almost two weeks now and I want to get headed on the road.

Prime Orientation Day 1 8/28/17: The greyhound trip out there was tough but I arrived at the campus inn at 3:30 AM Monday morning. I was very fortunate enough to get my own room. I was only able to get about 2 hours of sleep before I had to be in Roll Call at 7:00 AM. Monday morning Roll Call consisted of introductions, application review, physical review, simulator group assignments, and discussed the computer based testing due by Wednesday night. At 9:00 AM we were dispersed to get our drug test, DOT physical, Agility test, and file review. Everything went smoothly except for my blood pressure. I would have to get it re checked on day 2. Monday afternoon I had Group A simulator training where I learned how to double clutch. Using the simulator to learn how to shift was awesome! After this I was able to work in some of the CBT testing and relax for the rest of the day.

Prime Orientation Day 2 8/29/17: Tuesday morning began with 7:00 AM Roll Call and program review. At 8:15 we had an hours of service and logging class. At 9:00 AM I went over to Medical to get my blood pressure re checked and it was still high and was high again later in the afternoon when I get it checked. I made an appointment at there in-house doctors office for Wednesday morning to discuss going on blood pressure medicine. Around 10:30 AM I headed over on the shuttle to the DMV to take my CDL permit tests - general knowledge, air breaks, tanker, and combination. I passed all 4 tests on the first try. I needed this after worrying about my blood pressure! I went back to the campus in where I worked on my CBTs and had simulator class again later that night.

Prime Orientation Day 3 8/30/17: Wednesday morning begin with Roll Call / pre trip inspection class at 7:00 AM. 9:30 I had the Sleep apnea meeting (I was flagged for the sleep apnea study on day 1). It looks like once I come back to take my CDL exam I'll be getting a sleep study done to see if I have sleep apnea. At 11:00 I had my appointment at the doctors office and I did not pass my blood pressure again. I was placed on blood pressure medicine to see if I can lower it. (It needs to be under 140/90). I then finished up all of my CBTs and had simulator class at 6:30 PM. I was able to test out of the simulator 1 day early and I did just that! You'll need to get at least an 80% on the simulator driving exam.. I received at 94%. That finished up day 3.

Prime Orientation Day 4 8/31/17: Thursday morning consisted of benefits and wellness class at / Roll Call at 7:00 AM. I then went back to the doctors office to get my blood pressure checked and it was still high (but lower then yesterday). I would have to go back tomorrow. I then had simulator training at 5:00 PM.

Prime Orientation Day 5 9/1/17: Since I was not able to get my purple badge yesterday because of my blood pressure still being high and not being medically cleared yet.. Friday morning at 8:30 AM I had Roll call. I then went to the Doctors office and my blood pressure had dropped a lot but the bottom number was still slightly too high. I was able to be approved to stay over the holiday weekend and get retested on Tuesday morning. I've been really strict with my diet and will be ready for Tuesday! That pretty much summed up my day since I have finished everything else.

Saturday/Sunday/Monday: Since I'm being held over the weekend for not passing the blood pressure test there was not much for me to do.. only studied for the pre trip inspection but that's about it.. unfortunately all I could really think about was passing my blood pressure test.. I really did not want to go home. Role call on Saturday and Sunday at 8am. Saturday was fun.. Prime was having a picnic.. I did not get to eat what I wanted but it was still a lot of fun to see the different truck designs. Monday all I did was try to relax and keep my blood pressure down.

Tuesday 9/5/17: Today was the day.. I was either going to pass my blood pressure test and continue in the PSD program or have to be sent home. And well.. I PASSED! I passed around 9:30am.. ate a very big well deserved breakfast and waited to receive my medical record and DOT card. But, I didn't receive the packet today.. a new orientation group started today so they were very busy so I understand. Tomorrow I'll have to pick up my Medical packet and get over to the DMV to get my license and CDL Permit. Then back to Prime to get my purple badge and everything else I need. Also, A trainer contacted me today and i might be heading out tomorrow evening if everything works out good.

This pretty much completes my orientation week (week and a half lol)! My next post should be when I'm on the road with my first haul with a trainer. Wish me luck!!

Paul - I just got on my last bus transfer in ST Louis, MO.. looks like there is anywhere from 10-20 other people on this bus coming to prime orientation.. should be arriving around midnight. I'll try to find you at breakfast tomorrow morning. Awesome you got to try out the simulator already!!

G-town - yes we are neighbors! you're right down the street pretty much! and thank you!! im excited to start this new adventure!

Paul and Cato - Looking forward to meeting you both!

I look forward to next week, I also start Prime orientation on Monday, 8-28. Seems like you will be good company, I was a Corrections Officer for a little over a year before starting my Prime journey.

Cato - Awesome man! Will be nice to meet a former Correctional Officer like myself at orientation. Whats your name? ill keep an ear out it. Or we can try and meet up during down time. If we get any! lol

Paul - I'd definitely be down for giving out some tips about building muscle and strength! BTW what time will you be arriving on the 27th? I just got my greyhound confirmation.. I leave Saturday the 26th and wont be arriving until 10:25 pm Sunday night. Unfortunately the greyhound ticket I originally wanted was sold out and would of got me in Missouri at 1:00 pm. So now ill be getting in pretty late.

Hello!

My name is Ed Bamberger. I am 30 years old and from Boyertown, Pennsylvania. For the last 10 years I have been working in Law enforcement. I just worked my last shift as a Sergeant in Corrections this past weekend. I leave for the paid CDL training program at Prime Inc. this Saturday to start orientation on August 28th in Springfield, Missouri. Is anyone else going to be there on the 28th?

I have been considering a career as a CDL Truck driver for almost 2 years now. In the last few months I finally made the decision for myself and my family that this is the career I wanted and needed. I researched many different CDL schools and paid schooling programs. I narrowed it down to three different paid CDL programs and Prime Inc. ended up being the winner. I applied on Wednesday, August 9th. I received a phone call from a recruiter on Thursday, August 10th. I then was approved on Friday, August 11th to go to orientation for Primes paid CDL program! Talk about a fast recruitment!

After researching the different Divisions within Prime Inc., I definitely want to join the Tanker Division. I’ve read that there are not as many Tanker division trainers as there are in the other divisions... But are there any Trainers on here that live in the Northeast and that will be available to train? I’ve read many training diaries on Truckers Truth and it has helped me immensely in making my decision to pursue this career. I plan on doing the same and making a weekly post within this thread with updates of my CDL career.

Keep a look out for my updates!

Ill be heading out to Prime Inc for orientation that weekend as well! I cant wait to start my new career! I'll see you there!

Hey, Bobby. I'm tracking right there with you, man. Just got serious, started researching and found this website which has been an incredible wealth of wisdom. I chose Prime and will be heading to Springfield on the 27th of August. I was surprised at how quickly the ball got rolling once I put in the application with Prime. It took the recruiter about two days to get everything situated--he wanted me to be in next week's class, but that was a bit TOO fast for me.

I don't have much advice for you, we're on the same boat it seems, but I am seriously digging the High Road program and am trying my best to make my 36-year-old brain be a sponge until I head off to training. Hope to see you there!