My Prime TNT Progress Updates
Topic 31625 | Page 24
Go home and have some time off the truck before hitting the road solo IMO.
My stats for today was 382 miles in 7h 59m. Avg speed of 47.75 mph.
I only made 46 miles in the first hour driving in CT. It didn’t really pickup until I got into PA.
My list of excuses: 1. It was dark 2. It was raining 3. Patchy dense fog 4. Several Active construction work crews 5. Unfamiliar highways to me 6. I slow down for downgrade curves 7. Long stretches of 55 mph limit 8. 05:00+ local time rush hour traffic 9. A scenic tour of Bethlahem, PA at 25 mph because of a wrong turn looking for a place for 30 mins DOT break. 10. I skipped my break to make up for lost time.
I’ve made more than one rookie wrong turn mistakes during TNT. I need to improve my critical thinking judgment.
To top it off, a bull wagon nearly clipped my left fender passing me and forcing his way in front of me with no distance. I slowed down to just barely avoid being hit. I let him know my displeasure with the air horn! What a load of Bull Sxxx!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.
Man, I'm thinking about going to Prime in a few years when I turn 21 and I've really enjoyed this diary, especially as a fellow Arkansan. STay safe out there, congrats on your 30k!
I’m ready for some home time to chill out. This TNT has been intense.
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.
Yes this is an HVL. That’s all that I’ll say about that.
I was approved for upgrade. My name is being put on the list for a truck assignment today.
The big unknown is how long it will take to get a truck assigned. The FM said it could be as soon as Friday or a month from Friday. No way to know.
So the decision to be made by tomorrow is do I want to be dropped off on next trip assignment at home for up to 7 days off. If a truck assignment not in yet then go back out teaming.
I asked my FM if Robert could be routed back to pick me up again like between my PSD and TNT , we would rather stay together as a team.
Once the truck is assigned they want me routed to the terminal ASAP to do the upgrade process.
YOU. FINALLY. DID. IT !!! Knew ya could, knew ya would!
(Gotcha. BTDT...sorda! My bad asking. I recall. )
Wow, I agree w/RatPack ... GO HOME, and take some CHILL time!
I'm SO excited about your upgrade & I know YOU are, as well...however, some PTO (and not the gadget in G'town's rig!) is NECESSARY, to one's psyche!!!!
I'll await a new thread, albeit brief, if you wish... re; your upgrade! (PIX, too!!!)
Best always, man.
~ Anne ~
ps: Thanks for this diary !!!
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.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Fm:
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.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 Ryan. What part of Arkansas you from? I’m in SE area.
I’m not a Prime recruiter, but I think it is a good company from my experience so far. I hope my diary hasn’t scared you off!
Everyone likes to talk about how tough TNT can be and it is challenging. However, I have learned a lot out here with a very experienced trainer (my good fortune). This is sort of like a military boot camp. If I can survive this, then I can survive anything thrown at me as a solo company driver.
There is a trial program being evaluated to allow 18 year olds to drive interstate OTR. If that takes hold and Prime joins in, then you may not need to wait until 21. There have been General Discussion topics on the subject on TT that you could search.
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.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
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.
Man, I'm thinking about going to Prime in a few years when I turn 21 and I've really enjoyed this diary, especially as a fellow Arkansan. STay safe out there, congrats on your 30k!
I didn't realize how young you were, from this thread! Teaming..
Best wishes to you as well, Ryan! Dennis' diary is the BOMB; check out Kearsey on the tube, and Turtle and Chief Brody's as well.
Again, Dennis... you are in the Bomb Diggity!
~ Anne ~
I’m from Hot Springs, and I know I’ve heard about it and am following it very closely. Fingers crossed that it happens because it’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to get out on the road, so the trial would definitely be a dream come true haha
Thanks Ryan. What part of Arkansas you from? I’m in SE area.
I’m not a Prime recruiter, but I think it is a good company from my experience so far. I hope my diary hasn’t scared you off!
Everyone likes to talk about how tough TNT can be and it is challenging. However, I have learned a lot out here with a very experienced trainer (my good fortune). This is sort of like a military boot camp. If I can survive this, then I can survive anything thrown at me as a solo company driver.
There is a trial program being evaluated to allow 18 year olds to drive interstate OTR. If that takes hold and Prime joins in, then you may not need to wait until 21. There have been General Discussion topics on the subject on TT that you could search.
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.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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.
Yeah I’m pretty young, but I’ve known ever since I was 5 listening to my grandpa telling his stories of being OTR I’ve known it’s what I’ve wanted to do, it’s in my blood haha, and I will definitely check them out, thank you!
Man, I'm thinking about going to Prime in a few years when I turn 21 and I've really enjoyed this diary, especially as a fellow Arkansan. STay safe out there, congrats on your 30k!
I didn't realize how young you were, from this thread! Teaming..
Best wishes to you as well, Ryan! Dennis' diary is the BOMB; check out Kearsey on the tube, and Turtle and Chief Brody's as well.
Again, Dennis... you are in the Bomb Diggity!
~ Anne ~
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.
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Robert had suggested that we continue running until the truck assignment comes in and then get me home, but I don’t think that scenario will play out with Prime.