PSD/Orientation With Prime Inc., Springfield MO
Topic 30901 | Page 1
We will be following.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I wouldn't worry about those lodgings just yet. I know you are not impressed, and that is understandable, but I bet you won't be there for long. In just a few days there will be several people that don't make the first cut. They will re-arrange you guys and try to put everyone in the Hotel of choice.
Then you won't be there for long either. Soon you will be living in a truck with a total stranger. At that point you may decide the Lamplighter wasn't so bad after all! 
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I wouldn't worry about those lodgings just yet. I know you are not impressed, and that is understandable, but I bet you won't be there for long. In just a few days there will be several people that don't make the first cut. They will re-arrange you guys and try to put everyone in the Hotel of choice.
Then you won't be there for long either. Soon you will be living in a truck with a total stranger. At that point you may decide the Lamplighter wasn't so bad after all!
Haha was just thinking that as I was filling out the paperwork!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Yeah, I'll bet that Lamplighter has a shower, a TV, a toilet, and hasn't jumped around from potholes.
Day 1 - Paperwork, classroom and CBTs oh my
So we started at 9am with just general paperwork, classroom stuff, some powerpoint, getting our meal card and hearing the speech from security.
Once done with that we did CBT - or computer based training. It was NOT fun! But Im almost done and have till midnight tomorrow.
End all that with me going to my hotel to continue the CBT's after I turned in my folder and did the paperwork check and all that.
At 1830 we got split into two groups to do Sim training. So not that great, we spent an hour and a half going over a powerpoint, then 15 minutes at best on the simulators. That really sucked, was hoping to get some more.
Ended that and now back in the room relaxing.
Tomorrow doing the TNT test to see compatibility, then more sim training in the afternoon!
Update more for Day 2!
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.
Day 2 DONE!
Today was more paperwork, talking to us about the PSD process and then the TNT process once we get our CDL's.
Then we went to the simulator and did some practice, finally doing a driving test in the sim. I did ok at 88 points, which is passing. BUT I got docked 10 points for hard braking, and I dont remember that. I also got docked 2pts for not using a signal, I remember that I did but maybe didnt hold it long enough?
Anyway next is to get badged and find a PSD trainer, which I dunno, we are hearing there are still people in last weeks class who dont have one yet. So we may have to go to the pad for a week before getting a trainer. Which I guess is fine.
Lotta CBT's still, which are so much fun! haha
I studied my PTI guide, and have been watching the corresponding Prime video, I have most of it down.
I guess they do PSD different then what I thought, I thought it was on the pad driving and maybe some town driving with other students. Here though they literally have you driving a truck and delivering and picking up while on PSD. You and just the trainer. Then after 2 to 3 weeks you go get your CDL and get to TNT training phase.
Im excited, still worried about backing because we havent even seen the inside of a truck yet. But hey 2 days in, CALM DOWN MARK!
Be back tomorrow with another update!
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.
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.
Thanks for the diary, Mark--I'm reading with interest! I've been wondering how well Prime has been doing with finding enough trainers for all the incoming students.
Day 3 was done pretty quickly actually!
Got my badge around 1130am, they talked us through the card and when money was going to hit it, when I should activate it etc.
Then at 1400 (2pm) they sat us down and showed us the schedule for the "Pad"/Terminal until we find a trainer, get a trainer or whatever its called.
Hearing some bad stories of 40 students waiting for trainers at beginning of week, talked to a guy who has been here two weeks waiting and that he has just done PTI for 10 days, finally got on the Pad to drive.
Thats not good news, I understand you dont have trainers but get me in a darn truck. I want to practice my backing, and parking and all that. I want a ton of practice, I want to feel as comfortable as I can. Now was he telling us the truth? Who knows. But it sounds terrible.
Now just gotta get up nice and early in the morning to get to Campus Inn from my hotel which is 15 minutes away from there, so I can park my car, so I can get a shuttle to the Pad lol
Its a hard life out here :D
Not much to update, other then I passed all my checks, got my badge and ready to get to that PSD!!
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.
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.
Hearing some bad stories of 40 students waiting for trainers at beginning of week, talked to a guy who has been here two weeks waiting and that he has just done PTI for 10 days, finally got on the Pad to drive.
Thats not good news
Hey Mark, you wanted to be a truck driver. You are just now learning what it takes. This whole business is performance based. The very best thing you can do right now is to not listen to all the stories circulating among your fellow students. At Prime you guys are actually competing for trainers. Have you noticed how some people are waiting longer than others? The trainers are looking at you guys on the pad and they are picking up on who appears to be the go-getters who have great attitudes and want to be successful truckers. They are also noticing the ones who seem dispirited and uninterested. Hold your head high and act like you want to be a champion at this. You are going to be meeting trainers out there at the pad. They are looking for guys or gals who have a proclivity for success. They make money off of really great students. If they can find a new driver who can do a trifecta on their tests they get some great bonus money for training them.
Stop listening to the whining and complaining. Make yourself available. This is your big interview - Don't blow it!
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Hello all, this is my first entry in my training diary for Prime Inc. in Springfield Missouri.
Day 0 - Sunday - Arrive at Campus Inn, do some paperwork and check that I have no offenses in the database then they tell me there is no room at Campus Inn. They send me to a place called "Lamplighter Inn", and its interesting at best.
Im sure there are at least 3 groups of homeless people living in cars in the back lot, got asked if I needed company at one point by a nice young lady (I declined) and now outside of my window in there pool there are a group listening to loud music.
So far, not a great start. Im not going to judge anything on this, havent even gotten in a day of training. But this Inn I am NOT impressed with.
Other then that the drive up here was pretty easy, about 3 hours or so and nice weather. Will be nice to have my personal vehicle here I think, but time will tell.
Alright, will be back with Day 1 tomorrow after Im done!