Profile For Jay N.

A suggestion: put a training diary in the CDL Training Diaries forum. Share your thoughts there.

I did not know this existed, looks very interesting and informative, will have to check it out!

Thank you all, it’s refreshing hearing from the veterans of the industry. I supposed first day jitters are common in any jobs, but obviously the jitters in trucking ain’t like nothing else I’ve ever been through before. My chronic depression definitely does not help, haha. But I will tough it out. I am excited for the sim lab tomorrow and can’t wait to, hopefully, step into a truck by the end of the week.

Emotionally, anyway. Today is my first day orientation at Prime Inc., everything went smoothly, got the intro to the company (and industry), did my paperwork, screenings, CBTs, overall a good start to the industry. The folks at Prime were very kind and accommodating, much more than I expect! My roommate arrived super late last night thanks to Greyhound fudging up his trip and lost his luggage! Clothes, toiletries, socks! And all necessary documents, gone. Luckily his meds were in his carry-on. Our Prime orientation staff stepped up and actually paid for whatever he needs to get through the week! Way to make a hell of a first impression, Prime Inc.

And then we head back to our hotel, and that’s when the weight of my decision came down on me. I’m not coming home to my family everyday, I won’t see my significant other as much, and most importantly, I won’t be able to play with my dog anymore. A sudden cold wave of despair washed over me as I curled under the blankets, lost in my own head.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore, Jay.”

I just needed to say something so I came here. Thanks for listening.

Welcome to the forum Jay.

There must be some confusion, because you can train for flatbed at Pittston or any other terminal as a new student.

The only "boot camp" we have is for when someone wants to switch divisions. Like if you were a reefer driver that wanted to switch to flatbed, you'd have to attend the roughly week-long bootcamp for flatbed. The bootcamp is a crash course focused on the skills needed for that particular division.

It's possible your recruiter was referring to the PSD phase, in which you may have to go out with a CDL instructor from any division to get the skills necessary for obtaining your CDL. Once you finish the PSD phase you will go out with a TNT flatbed trainer. It just comes down to availability of an instructor. For PSD they'll likely just put you with the first instructor that comes up.

I'm a flatbedder, but I've trained PSD students from all three divisions, and I pull my students from Pittston. Once they get their CDL, they move on to a TNT trainer in their chosen division.

Oh I see. I went over the Orientation package emailed to me and on it said flatbed/tanker drivers will have to attend bootcamp in Springfield. I asked my recruiter that and her answer wasn't very straightforward and it may have confused me a bit. Thank you Turtle.

I'm starting Monday so just trying to get all my ducks in a row. For my PSD phase, I'm aware there will be a screening process and various paperwork but everything should clear without a hitch. Afterwards, I will start collecting my 10k instructor miles, correct? I already obtained my CDL permit so assuming I won't have to attend classes? Sorry for the ignorance. Thanks for all your answers.

Hello, I finally registered after many weeks lurking this wonderful forum on my way to breaking into this industry. After weighing the differences between reefer and flatbed I opted to start out in flatbed but, because of my location, I’d be starting out in Pittston, PA, and since flatbed boot camp is in Springfield, MO, that option is unavailable. My recruiter said I will have to start out reefer and ‘upgrade’ to flatbed later on.

May I get your thoughts on this? And how long until I will be able to transfer over to the flatbed department?