Confused Please Help The Newbie....
Topic 16982 | Page 1
Reaper I do not personally know of Prime's procedures on this topic. I have read in previous posts that the light weight division offers a incentive to sign . (Implying that it is a option) I do know that the lw trucks do not have a passenger seat so you may have some issues with that. My advice would be to contact your rep. and really dig. Make sure of what you are getting into beforehand. Good luck. Soulbrutha out
Hi. I've been with prime a year and went thought the PSD program. Although lightweights pay you more per mile...you can absolutely request a full size. I had one from the minute I went solo. The catch is that if u request one and one is not available YOU are responsible for the hotel room til on comes in. Mine took one night and they didn't charge me.
I get 41.5 CPM in the full size
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
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.
Thank you everyone who replied I really appreciate all this info. My recruiter at first seemed really helpful and happy to help, but now she seems like I'm bothering her and pestering her so I figured I'd give her a bit of a break and come here lol. I like asking questions and learning. If I were to get a lightweight at first then exchange for a full after half a year or so. Would they allow that?
Hey Reaper
When are you starting with Prime? Im starting this Monday (11-14-16). I had the same concern regarding the condo vs the LW. My recruiter said I could absolutely request a condo (full size cab). Havent heard about the cost while you wait that Rainy refered to, but she has never steered me wrong...
I start out in April, April 17th to be specific. I want to make sure my current job is left on well staffed and on good terms. I have a rule of thumb of sticking out a job at minimum of one year.
Rainy is right, as always...
I.just upgraded last week and chose a lightweight for a number of reasons. You can chose what you want, but won't get paid while waiting for a condo. As for the lightweights, you can have the passenger seat either in or out, but I wouldn't recommend taking another person along in it. Mine is so small, even without the seat, that I have to get out of it to change my mind.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Well if a condo isn't availble upon training completion, would I be able to swap for a condo when I wanted out of a lw? Or is there a certain amount of time I need to drive in a particular model truck before switching.
Well if a condo isn't availble upon training completion, would I be able to swap for a condo when I wanted out of a lw? Or is there a certain amount of time I need to drive in a particular model truck before switching.
I do not know Prime's specific policies, but I would think that they would prefer you to stay out on the road at least a couple months before swapping trucks. When you swap trucks, your old truck is out of service for cleaning, maintenance, inspections, etc. for at least a day or two, and you have been routed to where your new truck will be as well, which might be costing the company money if you deadhead to get there. You, yourself, are likely to be out of service for at least a day moving things out of the old truck and settling into the new one. Plus any mandatory yard clearing you might have to do, if Prime does that sort of thing like Stevens does.
Deadhead:
To drive with an empty trailer. After delivering your load you will deadhead to a shipper to pick up your next load.
Find out how often you come into a terminal for scheduled maintenance. During those time when switching trucks would be feasible. My company brings us in every 3 months. We come in for maintenance, safety meeting/training, quarterly road test, etc... If they are switching us to a different truck it is also done during this time.
Drive Safe Y'all & God Speed!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I recently was hired by Prime Inc. I am excited to start my dream job of becoming an otr trucker. I am getting mixed messages about what truck I'll be receiving after completion of my training. I was expecting a full sized tractor because I had wanted my fiance to come with me over the road and navigate for me while I drive. We are fantastic as a team like that. I'm being hired as a solo trucker and she would be my passenger. What I wanted to know was are the new hires put into the lightweight trucks and the experienced drivers and trainers get the full sized models? Can u pick what size when training is over? If it helps I am going into the Reefer division.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.