New CDL A, Passed Private CDL Test (no School), Now What?

Thank you for replying Errol.

With Prime you can finish the 1st week of orientation, go out in Phase 1, then return and test out, at which point you would receive a Missouri CDL. THEN you would be obligated for 2 years in order for the school to be "free". I did not earn any pay, so was therefor never an employee. I have NO further obligation to them, period.

YES, all of the reasons I quit were because I was suprised. The recruiter lied in terms of the commitment and choice of division, and after I arrived the personnel lied about the commitment structure AND lied by omission the cost of flatbed equipment. I don't care to work for anyone who blatantly lies about such important details. When said matters were addressed, for personnel to tell me I can "like it or lump it", is a red flag and I wasn't willing to chance 2 years of who-knows-what's-next worrying. Even if I was ok with the contract and dealt with the trainer, I wasn't able to change from flatbed (I said from day 1 I wasn't interested in that division). Why would I in my right mind continue when at worst I could learn from this, and choose more wisely next time? I am failing to see my "disasterous" consequences here people...

I have a CDL. I have not graduated from a driving school. I chose not to continue with Prime. I have learned a lot from all of it. I am now back to square 1, the difference is I have a CDL and have spent money instead of making it.

I still don't even know if I qualify for a "refresher" course and start team training with another company, like Western Express, or what the best approach for me is at this point...

I appreciate everyone's opinions, yet nobody is helping with a solution or advice. I can not go back in time. What would you do if it was you in my situation?

The $3,000 commitment was for the flatbed equipment I would have had to pay for.

Thanks for replying Rainy.

Everyone at Prime was great. Training was great, equipment, facilities, etc. Where it all fell down was the trainer, the loan structure, changing of division, and cost of flatbed equipment. I understood that I could have dealt with the trainer for 1-3 more weeks, that was the easy part.

When I was told by the powers that be that I would have to remain in the flatbed division for 6-12 months, that I would have to pay $100 a week for a year to satisfy my loan (it would be reimbursed to me at $100 a week for a year, thus the 2 year obligation), and that the flatbed equipment would cost me $3,000, I wasn't interested in a host of IF's and unknowns for 23 more months. So I left in order to pursue a better opportunity.

Thanks for replying Rainy.

Everyone at Prime was great. Training was great, equipment, facilities, etc. Where it all fell down was the trainer, the loan structure, changing of division, and cost of flatbed equipment. I understood that I could have dealt with the trainer for 1-3 more weeks, that was the easy part.

When I was told by the powers that be that I would have to remain in the flatbed division for 6-12 months, that I would have to pay $100 a week for a year to satisfy my loan (it would be reimbursed to me at $100 a week for a year, thus the 2 year obligation), and that the flatbed equipment would cost me $3,000, I wasn't interested in a host of IF's and unknowns for 23 more months. So I left in order to pursue a better opportunity.

Listen you got your CDL-A now, start applying to companies online or call them. There are many that would give you a shot, you will just have to go for training. Schneider has an expedited training program. Others are longer. The recruiters will be able to answer your questions.

I won't pile on to everything that's been addressed already, no reason to rub salt in a wound. I'll just address your question about dry van and the western 11. You can absolutely make a living out there. Heck, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Knight truck running I-5 so there's plenty of freight to be hauled. I'm not sure what larger carriers you might be able to sign on with, the best you can do is contact ones that interest you and see what happens.

Errol,

Make no mistake, this is exactly what I am trying to do, get my ducks in a row. Hindsight is always 20-20. I am in this postion because I made a judgement call based on life experiences with past employers (both positive and negative), none of which include life as a professional driver.

I am simply trying to figure out my best plan of attack from this point on, and would be uncomfortable trying again with Prime. I may or may not have made a wise decision, but I am sure that eventually I will be successful in this career, even if I have to figure it all out on my own.

Robert B, thanks for replying. (Like Old School, you have a lot of great posts and advice:))

Thanks for the input. These are the companies that appear as though I might be eligible for the training phase with (and maybe a shorter term or no commitment than as a student driver getting my CDL through them)------------

Western Express, May, Gordon, Schneider, Werner, KLLM, or Conway.

Perhaps the best thing to do is to simply call and talk to the recruiter(s) at these companies? (Like Shiva mentioned a few posts ago)

In your opinion, should I disclose my Prime details, or lie by omission? This is a big dilema for me, and confusing part to my next step

If the Prime issue were 10 years ago, I wouldn't bring it up but I wouldn't accidentally forget about it. It's a recent issue and yeah it might bite you in the a $$ but you have your eye on some great companies. I'd be honest when they ask and see where it leads.

Ya Robert I was leaning that way. I figure if I'm honest about it a prospective company will either accept or reject me, but at least it's all up front. Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

Maybe I should apply with a company I have no intention of working for, just to see how they react and if I pass their pre-approval process? It seems a bit devious, but I could always say I decided on another company after the fact. I just don't want to blow it with my first choice right away.

I was thinking of keeping it simple and saying things just didn't work out, but that may appear unlikely in their eyes, that something must be wrong, ya know? It's going to be tricky to explain without telling the truth AND without seeming like I am badmouthing Prime, which I don't want to do.

Robert,

What about this approach: When I list my current state license and any past ones, only Missouri will show up. Couldn't I say that I was accepted but decided not to go to Prime's school during orientation, that it was not what I expected? That I simply decided to return to my state, get my CDL via 3rd-party testing, and try again?

I am not familiar with DOT regulations [there seem to be MANY], but it seems to me that any DOT-regulated company that I simply applied to, but was never hired with, would not be listed on my DAC. I did not violate any DOT regulations when I drove for that short period with Prime, so I would assume my DAC is clear since the day I got my CDL A Permit.