Starting My New Career With Prime Inc.

After reading several training diaries here, I've decided not only to start my career in trucking, but figured I should do my best to document it here to help others in the future when it come to getting an idea of how training could go. I apologize in advance for my less than great writing skills, and if updates aren't incredibly frequent once I get going in training, I have no idea how overwhelmed I will be or how much time I will have to post updates.

Short background, I'm still quite young in life, 24 years of age, growing up I really only have had 2 main hobbies/passtimes, working on cars, and building/work with computers and other technology. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to drive large trucks, my father drove for awhile when I was very young, and both my Uncle's had their CDL and drove OTR for years, one of them is still at it 25+ years after he started.

I've been looking into starting this career for a while now, but had no idea where to start. 4 years ago at the age of 20 I realized to go OTR I would need to be at least 21, and at the time several companies were telling me I had to be 23, so I was convinced I had to wait until I was 23, and stop looking into it further for a few years. After applying and contacting several companies last year, I realized I would need to have a fair bit in savings to afford the transition while in the unpaid training phase, I had to put plans on pause and start saving to accommodate this, but I am finally where I need to be to start this journey.

After spending the last month or 2 applying, talking to, and narrowing down options on where to start, I've decided on Prime Inc. They aren't located very far from home from training, offered very competitive pay both while in TNT training, and starting pay once I go solo. I will be driving reefer in a lightweight.

I was informed my my recruiter a couple weeks ago, that I would need to get my DOT Physical, Drug Test, and CLP with Tanker Endorsement prior to starting orientation. I started studying the handbook, and the app they suggested, CDL prep, and in the week leading up to the test starting the High Road Training Program here. So I am going to start entries today, where I first go to take my CLP tests.

March 3rd, 4:45am,

Waking up bright and early to get to the DMV to take my test for the CLP today, DMV/DPS around here is booked up for months on appointments, but mine here still accepts walk ins, so I must arrive well before their 8am opening time if I am to get a good spot in line.

5:45am,

I thought for sure being over 2 hours early was going to put me first in line. I was wrong, 2 people had beat me here by over an hour. No worries though, I'm still in the first few and should get to test quite early, only a couple hours to wait. During this time I'm getting some last minute studying in to make sure I'm good to go.

7:45am,

They opened the doors early, they went through the first 6 people in line, gave us a numbered ticket, and wrote down what we were there for today, onto the waiting room until its my turn to test.

8:20am,

My number is called, I go up to the appropriate desk, and give my all my documents, and fill out a couple forms, get my picture and fingerprints taken. Then then set me up on the next available test computer.

8:45am,

I was way more prepared than I thought, I flew right through all 4 test, ended up missing 1 or 2 from simply mis-reading a question that said something like "is NOT" or "Except" but that is okay, I still passed and got my permit. now onto get some celebratory breakfast, then back to my current job where I will be working out the next week and a half until my training date.

I'm not quite sure if its odd to include my experience with getting my permit here in my home state, didn't see many others do it but it was a notable step in this process to me, so I figured I'd document it.

I don't go to Springfield, MO to start my orientation until March 16th, my recruiter tells me its unusual, but due to the current virus concerns I wont be placed on a bus or plane, but rather be given a rental car to make the drive up there. I can't complain, I wasn't too excited for a bus ride anyways.

Probably won't be any updates until I am on my way to orientation, if anyone has any questions, comments, or recommendations on specific things I should make sure to document in detail during my training, please let me know.

That's a great start Victor! Now you have to follow through so we can follow along with you on your journey!

Wow, you've actually been considering this for quite a while. That's great!

I'm looking forward to following along, and I can assure you that others will greatly benefit from what you post about going through the whole training process. Thanks for starting this diary.

A dynamite intro for a training diary!

I'll be one of many following along. Don't be shy with any questions. There are quite a few Prime drivers on here actively.

Thanks Old School for the kind words. I am absolutely going to follow through with this career choice, im confident of that.

Now following through on this diary could prove challenging, never done this type of thing before ans never really thought about doing it until just the other day, but im going to do my best. Hopefully those who follow along can benefit in some way from learning how my experience goes.

Victor, you will reap rewards yourself by doing a diary also. It will help you realize how much progress you are making. Some days you are going to be discouraged. Other days you are going to feel elated. It will help you to focus and see your real progress. Hang in there and feel free to question us about anything that is going on. We have so many Prime drivers in here that can help with specifics, and there are others here who can help with general questions.

A dynamite intro for a training diary!

I'll be one of many following along. Don't be shy with any questions. There are quite a few Prime drivers on here actively.

Victor J. ~ That was an AMAZING post. Wow....felt like I was along, with and for!

Can't offer up MUCH info as a 'wife of' person, but sure will be up in here, following along!

You got PackRat and Old School in your belt ... you're good! Two of the best!!!

Wishing you the BEST !! Would LOVE to follow along; absolutely!!

~ Anne ~

Small update for today, much more to come next week when orientation gets started.

March 3rd, 8:00am,

Today's the day it's official. Showed up to my current job, turned in my keys, uniforms, ect. and did all my exit paperwork. This job is behind me now and I'm looking forward to next Wednesday when my orientation starts, just waiting for final details from my recruiter.

11:39am,

Got a call from my recruiter, went over everything one last time and he gave me the information on picking up a rental car for my drive up to Springfield. Hopefully get something fuel efficient as I will be responsible for gas upfront to be reimbursed after training.

I'll be taking this weekend to get everything in order for being gone, spending time with friends and family, and all last minute preparations for taking this leap. If anyone has any advice on what to / not to bring let me know. Not sure if I should bring bedding(pillow/blanket) as they said I'll be going right from orientation to a truck with a trainer. How heavy/light am I expected to pack? I don't wanna have too big of a bag and take up unneeded room on a trainer's truck, but I also don't wanna be the guy that didn't bring enough clothes or outright forgot something that will be needed.

As far as how much stuff to bring with you on the truck, count on everything you bring having to sleep with you on the top bunk. Some trainers like myself will give you some room in a cabinet, but don't count on it. Pack lightly and efficiently. Bring enough clothes for a week, with extra socks and underwear for the really busy times.

A light sleeping bag and pillow will be sufficient in most cases. You'll have your own air and heat controls in the bunk while your trainer is driving, so don't worry too much about heavy blankets and such.

The campus inn where you'll be staying is a short walking distance from a walmart. So you can wait until you get there before buying some stuff, if you wish to make your trip easier.

Thanks Turtle for the info.

Would you say it would make sense then to make sure anything I bring tucks into a reasonably sized dufflebag? that way it should be able to fit easily on the bunk either behind a pillow or under my feet I would think. thinking of this also got me thinking, what kind of clothing is "typical" for this line of work? Is pants/jeans, t-shirt, and work boots every day required/the norm? or is it acceptable to wear shorts/cargo shorts or something similar? If I'll never really be able/allowed to wear shorts then there's no reason for me to pack any I'd suppose.

Yes, I brought a gym bag sized duffle stuffed to the gills with me to Prime, as well as a jacket and boots. I was in flatbed, so the dress was a little different than for reefer. I'm sure some warehouses may have a dress code, but shorts and sneakers are still acceptable in many places. Reefer drivers may chime in with better info on that.