Life As A Rookie With Prime Inc

Got my cdl and am considering starting with Prime in a couple weeks. I just need to pass the drug test & interview process and they'll get me on board. They seem like a really solid company and an especially good one for starting out with.

Any current or ex-Prime drivers out there who want to give me some insight into what the training phase and following 6 months to a year is like? Only 3-4 days home time per month during this phase? That true? Is it true that you may not even get home at all during the months with a trainer? What if you don't live nearby a terminal or there aren't any available trainers in your area? (I may be living in Portland, OR during this phase and it looks like they don't have a terminal there or within 1000+ miles, just a "Prime Floral" facility in Wilsonville, OR.)

I'm just trying to get a better idea of how this whole phase of the career works from drivers who have actually been through it. Feel free to get as detailed as you like. Like "a day in my life as a Prime rookie" detailed. You don't have to have worked for Prime either, I'm sure this phase is pretty similar for most companies. I'm mainly concerned about how companies work out training when there's a lack or terminals or trainers in your area. I've spoken to recruiters about this, but all I ever get is just stuff along the lines of "uhh...shouldn't be a problem dude" and they just don't really go into detail even if I poke and prod them.

I started reading Turtle's story and its pretty informative, but it's a little long-winded so I figured I'd post this and get some responses while I finish reading his tale.

Howdy!

Lots of drivers here are with Prime. L They'll be along before long. In the meantime, at the top is a white box. It just searches on TT. I typed in Prime Training and it brought up lots of links where members posted their experience. That's a good spot to start.

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Laura

Garrett,

(And Ms. Laura!! Hiya, m'lady!)

This is kind of a 'good one' for Kearsey. Training is a bit 'different' for people coming INTO Prime WITH a CDL.. I know she's mentioned it, but not sure where to find it here, nor the details. Paging KEARSEY!!! LoL...

It may do you well, to search her comment history..there's a tab for that in the main dropdown menu; Truckin Along with Kearsey ....

Hoping she'll stop in, but Turtle's Diary IS THE BOMB, for sure!!!

Best wishes;

~ Anne ~

Howdy!

Lots of drivers here are with Prime. L They'll be along before long. In the meantime, at the top is a white box. It just searches on TT. I typed in Prime Training and it brought up lots of links where members posted their experience. That's a good spot to start.

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Laura

Hi. You will be commuted to the Salt Lake City terminal for orientation then be placed with a team trainer. Once you get done some classes you go OTR.

You don't need a nearby terminal cause the trainer will take you to a nearby truck stop to drop you off pick u up from hometime. Home time during training is worked out between you and the trainer. As a trainer, I can choose my home time dates and lengths..you have the option of going home also so express your needs. The amount of days home is unpredictable in training..

For example... I had students from MS, FL and SC. I love in NJ. By the time I dropped then and took my time then returned, they were off.for 2.weeks or so. Once solo it will be 4 weeks out 4 days home return on 5th day. Be safe and on time and you get more flexibility but that takes proving yourself.

You will have to run a Minimum of 40k truck miles in training. It may be more due to truck availability. There has been an international shortage of trucks but some seem to be ramping up production again.

When you go solo you will take the truck home with you so terminal location does not.matter. I am dispatched out of MO but live in NJ. Many drivers only go to terminals for repairs, others hang there.

Hope this helps. I have a YT channel of the same name that could help.

Hi. You will be commuted to the Salt Lake City terminal for orientation then be placed with a team trainer. Once you get done some classes you go OTR.

You don't need a nearby terminal cause the trainer will take you to a nearby truck stop to drop you off pick u up from hometime. Home time during training is worked out between you and the trainer. As a trainer, I can choose my home time dates and lengths..you have the option of going home also so express your needs. The amount of days home is unpredictable in training..

For example... I had students from MS, FL and SC. I love in NJ. By the time I dropped then and took my time then returned, they were off.for 2.weeks or so. Once solo it will be 4 weeks out 4 days home return on 5th day. Be safe and on time and you get more flexibility but that takes proving yourself.

You will have to run a Minimum of 40k truck miles in training. It may be more due to truck availability. There has been an international shortage of trucks but some seem to be ramping up production again.

When you go solo you will take the truck home with you so terminal location does not.matter. I am dispatched out of MO but live in NJ. Many drivers only go to terminals for repairs, others hang there.

Hope this helps. I have a YT channel of the same name that could help.

Thanks Kearsey! yes, definitely helps. And I'll be all over your channel the next few weeks.

But say you live somewhere where there's nowhere within short walking distance nearby your home to safely, conveniently, or legally park your bobtail?

Are most truck stops ok with you parking your bobtail there for four days? ...And what if you aren't ok with parking your car unattended at a truck stop for a few weeks? ...if the truck stop even would allow that?

Hi. You will be commuted to the Salt Lake City terminal for orientation then be placed with a team trainer. Once you get done some classes you go OTR.

You don't need a nearby terminal cause the trainer will take you to a nearby truck stop to drop you off pick u up from hometime. Home time during training is worked out between you and the trainer. As a trainer, I can choose my home time dates and lengths..you have the option of going home also so express your needs. The amount of days home is unpredictable in training..

For example... I had students from MS, FL and SC. I love in NJ. By the time I dropped then and took my time then returned, they were off.for 2.weeks or so. Once solo it will be 4 weeks out 4 days home return on 5th day. Be safe and on time and you get more flexibility but that takes proving yourself.

You will have to run a Minimum of 40k truck miles in training. It may be more due to truck availability. There has been an international shortage of trucks but some seem to be ramping up production again.

When you go solo you will take the truck home with you so terminal location does not.matter. I am dispatched out of MO but live in NJ. Many drivers only go to terminals for repairs, others hang there.

Hope this helps. I have a YT channel of the same name that could help.

Thanks Kearsey! yes, definitely helps. And I'll be all over your channel the next few weeks.

But say you live somewhere where there's nowhere within short walking distance nearby your home to safely, conveniently, or legally park your bobtail?

Are most truck stops ok with you parking your bobtail there for four days? ...And what if you aren't ok with parking your car unattended at a truck stop for a few weeks? ...if the truck stop even would allow that?

Garrett;

With you being SO close to that Prime Floral facility, I'd almost (key word, almost!) bet they'd let you park your tractor there for the few days' hometime. It'd make total business sense, for 'them' to oversee 'their' property!

I could be wrong; each company has it's own rules, reasons, and reg.'s . . . but it'd sure be worth an 'ask' when you get lined up for orientation, or before! Get it in writing, of course....via email. Always!

Glad Kearsey showed up for ya.. told ya!

~ Anne ~

ps: Truckin' Along with Kearsey