Prime PSD Training
Topic 15612 | Page 1
Hi, Trucking Truth.
I just joined the website a few days ago, and it has been exceptionally helpful. My question is that I am currently a PSD trainee and out on the road with a trainer. It's been about a week now and he is okay but I have not practiced any backing, and still having a little issue with the downshifting. He doesn't really give any pointers on the downshifting, and has not allowed me to do any backing at all . The only reason I'm concerned with it is because he's talking about me testing out, that he's going to train me to back the day before the dot Test . I'm pretty much trying to get a hang of downshifting myself by watching videos and reading. I want to know is it a good idea to ask for a new trainer, or should I stick it out. I do not want to complain, if it's only going to hinder me from moving forward . I'm not asking him to hold my hand, because he pretty much sleeps while I'm driving . The only way I've been able to downshift into a city or on a ramp is by either skip shifting, or pulling gear into neutral while I slow down and then trying to catch the gear I'm supposed to be in . I know that will not work with the dot testing . I just really want to be in this career, I love it so far. Maybe I'm jumping ahead of the gun because I know I still have to do TNT training, but I just want to practice as much as I can. He hasn't let me drive for 2 days now. Since the first day I got into the truck I have not touched the Qualcomm. He'll ask for my password and then I guess login or change my status. I was told by logging that's not supposed to be done in the orientation. I'm just trying not to step on any toes man I just want to drive trucks. I've read comments about how I should just stick it out because complaining could only hurt me.
He should be teaching you all that stuff, but as you mentioned, you still have TNT to go through.
While going through TNT you should be learning to float the gears and twinning your backing.
As for down shifting goes. "Out athe 1100, Rev to 1300 -1500 and slide into next lower gear."
Float The Gears:
An expression used to describe someone who is shifting gears without using the clutch at all. Drivers are taught to "Double Clutch" or press and release the clutch twice for each gear shift. If you're floating gears it means you're simply shifting without using the clutch at all.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
Nick, you already know the answer to.your questions. I just had the same class you had last week with Stan today. The one before you got your badge. Remember? Your trainer is supposed to be in the right seat when your driving. And you should be doing your own QC entries. Call Stan and tell him whats going on. If you dont have his number just call the main number and ask for him.
You are breaking the law by driving without your trainer awake and on duty. This is jeapordizing your ability and your career. Make the call.
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Hi, Trucking Truth.
I just joined the website a few days ago, and it has been exceptionally helpful. My question is that I am currently a PSD trainee and out on the road with a trainer. It's been about a week now and he is okay but I have not practiced any backing, and still having a little issue with the downshifting. He doesn't really give any pointers on the downshifting, and has not allowed me to do any backing at all . The only reason I'm concerned with it is because he's talking about me testing out, that he's going to train me to back the day before the dot Test . I'm pretty much trying to get a hang of downshifting myself by watching videos and reading. I want to know is it a good idea to ask for a new trainer, or should I stick it out. I do not want to complain, if it's only going to hinder me from moving forward . I'm not asking him to hold my hand, because he pretty much sleeps while I'm driving . The only way I've been able to downshift into a city or on a ramp is by either skip shifting, or pulling gear into neutral while I slow down and then trying to catch the gear I'm supposed to be in . I know that will not work with the dot testing . I just really want to be in this career, I love it so far. Maybe I'm jumping ahead of the gun because I know I still have to do TNT training, but I just want to practice as much as I can. He hasn't let me drive for 2 days now. Since the first day I got into the truck I have not touched the Qualcomm. He'll ask for my password and then I guess login or change my status. I was told by logging that's not supposed to be done in the orientation. I'm just trying not to step on any toes man I just want to drive trucks. I've read comments about how I should just stick it out because complaining could only hurt me.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.