Off To PrimeSpringfield 6/3

So I have been inching my way toward driving a truck for a year now since my bestie made the jump. Because of that I have her experiences to encourage and warn me and I am really grateful for that.

I start in the first class as Prime changes her training program - the only real change being 50k on the road with a trainer as opposed to 30k before. But with the extra 20k miles comes a little bump from $700 to $800 a week gauranteed as long as I am available for dispatch. This includes waiting for a truck.

My recruiter said there was a lot of mixed responses to this but I am happy for the extra training. I have dipped my toes in the manual but it's time to dive in. I even got a little nudge note from Brett (thanks, I appreciate it!)

Wish me luck!

Holy underwear, 50k? I'm about to finish my 30k here shortly, didn't hear about this yet. Thanks for the update.

Well at least you'll feel very confident in the basic working of the job by that point. The extra smackeroonis makes sense too.

Great luck to you in June! I'm going to be in or near coming in to Springfield to upgrade right around then.

30 K to 50k? That’s a bunch of extra training miles for an increase, but it’s also quite a bit of extra training time, too. I’m wondering if it’s 50K total miles for the truck during that period, or only the miles the trainee actually drives? Either way, welcome aboard, Judith S. We’re glad to have you here on the site. Any questions you will have can be answered here.

Welcome! Please hang around and keep us updated on your journey. We have a ton of prime drivers here who will be able to help with company specific information, and a great group of moderators and experienced drivers willing to help with any other questions you have. Training will be difficult and frustrating at times but it will be done before you know it.

Welcome Judith, and good luck at Prime.

Yes, this change has been rumored for a little while now. I've hesitated to say anything until I had some firm details. But yup as of 6/3 any new recruits will be required to complete 50k miles before upgrading to A seat. That's 50k total truck miles, the same as when 30k was required.

Any current trainee out now will only have to complete the agreed-upon 30k. But you may not be brought back in to upgrade until a truck is available for you. I guess this is preferable to having a trainee sit in limbo at the terminal waiting for a truck. Additionally, any current trainee will be paid $300 per week extra for any miles over the 30k threshold.

This is all being done in response to a slowing market. They're trying to keep revenue at an even keel by not flooding the company with too many new recruits/drivers.

That's how I understand it so far, anyway.

"Additionally, any current trainee will be paid $300 per week extra for any miles over the 30k threshold."

So from $700 to $1000 after 30k? Geez... I should start a week earlier.

I have one huge decision to make: reefer , tanker or flatbed? No, scratch flatbed. I have nothing to prove... On that note I hear that tanker is much less stressful, but also gets less miles. And reefer... Well, any thoughts?

Judith, as far as tankers go, these are not recommended for a brand new driver out here for their first year. You'll still be learning a ton of stuff about how to just be a productive driver, so to add on to that the intrinsic characteristics of pulling a tanker would be too much for most to also learn. This combination could easily prove to be too much. It can be done, but not recommended at all.

Hi Judith and welcome. I am a Prime TnT reefer trainer. Go with reefer. Tanker at Prime is very area specific and it does require more skills.

You can do this... I do it. If you have any questions, ask.

Great to hear and I wish you all the best. I started Prime Inc. Training this past Monday and I'm happy I'm here!

So I have been inching my way toward driving a truck for a year now since my bestie made the jump. Because of that I have her experiences to encourage and warn me and I am really grateful for that.

I start in the first class as Prime changes her training program - the only real change being 50k on the road with a trainer as opposed to 30k before. But with the extra 20k miles comes a little bump from $700 to $800 a week gauranteed as long as I am available for dispatch. This includes waiting for a truck.

My recruiter said there was a lot of mixed responses to this but I am happy for the extra training. I have dipped my toes in the manual but it's time to dive in. I even got a little nudge note from Brett (thanks, I appreciate it!)

Wish me luck!

So I have been inching my way toward driving a truck for a year now since my bestie made the jump. Because of that I have her experiences to encourage and warn me and I am really grateful for that.

I start in the first class as Prime changes her training program - the only real change being 50k on the road with a trainer as opposed to 30k before. But with the extra 20k miles comes a little bump from $700 to $800 a week gauranteed as long as I am available for dispatch. This includes waiting for a truck.

My recruiter said there was a lot of mixed responses to this but I am happy for the extra training. I have dipped my toes in the manual but it's time to dive in. I even got a little nudge note from Brett (thanks, I appreciate it!)

Wish me luck!

Good luck, Judith. I'm currently going through Prime Orientation. Take the High Road Online Training Course offered on here. It'll prepare you nicely for the permit and endorsement tests. I ran through it twice and passed them all first try. It's a great tool.