The End Of An Adventure, And How Prime Is Helping Me Begin Another.
Topic 25381 | Page 2
Congratulations Turtle!
Training is something I just don't know that I'll ever do. My company has asked me repeatedly. It's odd, because I really enjoy teaching people here in the forum, and even enjoy helping other drivers in person when I get the opportunity. But when it comes down to my personal space and living quarters I just enjoy my privacy and being alone.
I really enjoy the lifestyle of OTR driving. I entertain myself all the time out here. I will attend high school football games in the fall. I always enjoy hiking around in areas that interest me. I'll take a 34 on a beach in Southern Florida - I just enjoy doing what I want out here. It enriches my life to operate the way I do. And to be honest, I don't want to lose that enjoyment that I have.
Maybe someday I'll decide to try training, but for now I'm very satisfied with the situation I've developed in my current job. I just can't see it getting any better than what I'm currently enjoying. My dispatcher even defends my choice to the managers who try to get him to twist my arm. He's told me he tells them, "Why would you want to slow this guy down with a student driver? We're getting more out of him than anybody else on this account - why would we purposely mess that up?"
I have no doubts you'll be an awesome trainer. I'm sure your trainees will benefit greatly from their exposure to your practices and your work ethic. Congratulations!
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.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Turtle said:
However, I grossly underestimated the strength of us missing them.
Turtle,
I'm right there with you, man. My 1st grandbaby is in Wisconsin (we get up there every 3-4 months) and it's looking like #2 will eventually wind up on the Gulf Coast.
Hoping OTR can get me some loads in the vicinity for a short visit or reset once in a while.
Seems like you really have a great thing going there with the new direction at Prime. Wishing you all the best.
Really appreaciate all these positive examples that show what can be done in trucking when you apply yourself and do a great job.
Bill R.
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.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm cautiously optimistic about this new venture. It's one of those things that I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't try. I enjoy teaching immensely, but like you OS, I'm a very private guy by nature. This definitely leans to the outside of my comfort zone haha.
PSD , is that the brand new students, or the ones who have their CDL and you just need to get them experience before they get their own trucks?
That stands for Prime Student Driver. They are brand new students with only their permit. I take them out for a week or two to teach them pretrip, backing, and how to drive a truck. When I feel they're ready, I bring them back to take the CDL exam. Then they go on to the TNT training.
Honestly, I'd probably get more satisfaction out of the TNT phase, after they already have their CDL. That's when I could really dig in and teach them how to be productive and efficient. But that would require a longer time commitment, going against my goal of getting home more often. At least now I can plant some seeds in their brain, and hope some of it sticks. At the very least I can show them how good a company driver can have it, so that they can make a better informed decision when it comes time to choose company vs lease.
I love a good challenge.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Congratulations on your (and Mrs. Turtle’s) new adventure. I have no doubt you’ll be a success with the newest journey. 
This is such a great discussion between seasoned drivers. Turtle, I worry about you because you may wake up in the middle of the night in a fog and think your trainee is your wife still in the truck. That could get ugly.
As for Old School, I identify with the loner aspect of driving. A friend of mine who is a psychologist told me that introverts make the best solo drivers and that extroverts can sometimes struggle. I think there is some truth to that. I think that adaptability is really the most important characteristic.
Just a side note, several weeks ago I was at a DC somewhere, and right across from my dock was a truck that said: “Old School Trucking”. I wanted to get a picture but the driver walked out and drove off before I could. Really regret that now since I know how to post pictures.
Turtle,
While I sympathize with your tough decision, I am, like you, cautiously optimistic. I am saving up money to cover the transition from my current salary to trucking and plan to start CDL school with Prime next spring. I want to drive flatbed. I had also planned to save up enough money to convince you to be my TNT trainer by sending your wife on a 2 month world cruise.
I understand that Prime, with its corporate policies, doesn't just let drivers and trainers necessarily pick and choose. But if Prime were amendable to pairing us together, would you maybe consider TNT training? Since I would save all that money on the 2 month world cruise, as Don Corleone said "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse."
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I understand that Prime, with its corporate policies, doesn't just let drivers and trainers necessarily pick and choose. But if Prime were amendable to pairing us together, would you maybe consider TNT training?
I think I could convince them to let me train whoever I want, as long as the timing works out. The logistics however, would be tough. You're in MO, I live in NY, and still need to be home every couple weeks. TNT with me would lengthen your training considerably. Plus there's a question of how to get you home when I go home. The best I could say at this point is, we'll see where we both are in the spring.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Yeah, Turtle, how about me! I need a new job and a new trainer. Seems like you are in high demand!
I don't know man, you're kinda tainted goods now eh?
Kidding kidding!
Seriously Bruce, sorry to hear about the predicament you're in. Keep your chin up, things will always work out in the end.
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Good job and congratulations! I know you'll do well. PSD , is that the brand new students, or the ones who have their CDL and you just need to get them experience before they get their own trucks?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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