Prime Orientation 6/6/15!
Topic 9280 | Page 1
That's awesome. I actually started at prime on Monday (6/29/15). It's been fun so far.
Some tips that I've noticed so far, being that my week was cut early for the fourth of July and ends tomorrow on 7/2/15.
Take the simulator seriously. Too many people call it a video game and the instructors are not too fond of it.
Prepare for the permit before you get here. You said you did, so great job! You're ahead of 90% of the class. Tomorrow is the last day of orientation for my class and a bunch of people still have to go to the DMV tomorrow morning to try to pass the thing. If you've studied it will be a breeze and you'll have more time to work on other things. I've had more free time not having to cram then most of my class mates.
There are computer modules that need to be knocked out. Don't save them for the last day. They are long and boring and you don't want to cram 3-4 hours of it into one day. Spread it out.
Finally, have fun. You'll meet a bunch of people from all walks of life and all ages. I'm 21 and I'm on pretty good terms with every one. It's fun to get to know all of these new people.
Good luck and do great! (Also, in the event that you have high blood pressure like me: Eat a bunch of bananas before you go into the medical screen. I failed twice and this morning ate 5 bananas plus a lot of water and I passed that portion.)
Dm:
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
That's awesome. I actually started at prime on Monday (6/29/15). It's been fun so far.
Some tips that I've noticed so far, being that my week was cut early for the fourth of July and ends tomorrow on 7/2/15.
Take the simulator seriously. Too many people call it a video game and the instructors are not too fond of it.
Prepare for the permit before you get here. You said you did, so great job! You're ahead of 90% of the class. Tomorrow is the last day of orientation for my class and a bunch of people still have to go to the DMV tomorrow morning to try to pass the thing. If you've studied it will be a breeze and you'll have more time to work on other things. I've had more free time not having to cram then most of my class mates.
There are computer modules that need to be knocked out. Don't save them for the last day. They are long and boring and you don't want to cram 3-4 hours of it into one day. Spread it out.
Finally, have fun. You'll meet a bunch of people from all walks of life and all ages. I'm 21 and I'm on pretty good terms with every one. It's fun to get to know all of these new people.
Good luck and do great! (Also, in the event that you have high blood pressure like me: Eat a bunch of bananas before you go into the medical screen. I failed twice and this morning ate 5 bananas plus a lot of water and I passed that portion.)
Hey man, thanks for the current information.
I leave Friday night!
Dm:
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Awesome! Keep us updated and just follow all the advice you've gotten here. Pick yourself a good trainer for TNT and you'll have less issues hopefully. Good luck!
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.
Awesome! Keep us updated and just follow all the advice you've gotten here. Pick yourself a good trainer for TNT and you'll have less issues hopefully. Good luck!
Thank you for the advice.
Trying to get through all 118pgs of the training material here. I have to say is very well done to reinforce everything one needs to know.
I'll keep this thread updated.
I was wondering does everyone have to take the sleep apnea test or only people with their BMI out of healthy range?
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
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.
The only thing I am not looking forward to is the 28hr Greyhound ride.
Things I'm concerned about are: The TNT..Living in close quarters with another bloke for, how many weeks?
The maneuverability test. Parallel parking (blindside), offset parking, and 90 degree docking.
Overall, I think everything will be fine.
Very excited! This may sound corny, but the thing I can't wait for the most, is to get my truck, and my first CB radio! Ha!
I'm 43yrs old, and I've wanted one of the damn things since Smokey and the Bandit. I understand now, the airwaves are filled with hate and filth, but that seems to be all forms of mass communication these days, ie. the internet, online gaming etc.
I've done a ton of research, and am ready to pass the CDL permit, and necessary endorsements.
Also, Daniel B's one month adventure, was very addicting, and I thank you. The snowy mountain driving reminded me of my home town of Cleveland. No mountains, but plenty of change in elevation with blizzard conditions. I know what sliding and tires braking away feels, like, and do not look forward to that in an eighteen wheeler.
Anyway, I'm so excited, and friends and family can't relate, so thanks for this forum as well.
Peace!
The grey dawg isn't much fun but at least it's a lot more comfortable than it used to be. The Wi-Fi works great. Wishing you all of the best.
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.
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.
The grey dawg isn't much fun but at least it's a lot more comfortable than it used to be. The Wi-Fi works great. Wishing you all of the best.
Thanks!
WIFI? Are you saying there is WIFI on the BUS?!?
What about power outlets for devices?
If not I'm prepared to go ole' school, and read a (gasp) book!
I see we can't edit our posts? 
Check the following distance of vehicles around you and match what they are doing to keep uniformity in the driving pattern.
This is given as a correct answer to following distance determination in the study guide here.
This can't be right.
Quote From The CDL Manual:
To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.
Compare your count with the rule of 1 second for every 10 feet of length. If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you are too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance (or 5 seconds, if you are going over 40 mph).
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.
Dm:
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.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Check the following distance of vehicles around you and match what they are doing to keep uniformity in the driving pattern.
This is given as a correct answer to following distance determination in the study guide here.
This can't be right.
Quote From The CDL Manual:
To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.
Compare your count with the rule of 1 second for every 10 feet of length. If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you are too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance (or 5 seconds, if you are going over 40 mph).
Your progress has been temporarily halted because you are 0 for 2 on question #90.
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.
Dm:
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.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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The only thing I am not looking forward to is the 28hr Greyhound ride.
Things I'm concerned about are: The TNT..Living in close quarters with another bloke for, how many weeks?
The maneuverability test. Parallel parking (blindside), offset parking, and 90 degree docking.
Overall, I think everything will be fine.
Very excited! This may sound corny, but the thing I can't wait for the most, is to get my truck, and my first CB radio! Ha!
I'm 43yrs old, and I've wanted one of the damn things since Smokey and the Bandit. I understand now, the airwaves are filled with hate and filth, but that seems to be all forms of mass communication these days, ie. the internet, online gaming etc.
I've done a ton of research, and am ready to pass the CDL permit, and necessary endorsements.
Also, Daniel B's one month adventure, was very addicting, and I thank you. The snowy mountain driving reminded me of my home town of Cleveland. No mountains, but plenty of change in elevation with blizzard conditions. I know what sliding and tires braking away feels, like, and do not look forward to that in an eighteen wheeler.
Anyway, I'm so excited, and friends and family can't relate, so thanks for this forum as well.
Peace!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.