Back From Prime
Ok !
Just got back from Prime and here is everything you want to know about the CDL course.
Once I arrived at prime they put me up in their training center/campus hotel.
the first week was spent with orientation and cramming for your Permit test. ( if you go get the Cdl study guide from your D.O.T and start reading it.. don't try to memorize it. read it several time over be for you get their.. all mutable choice.
you will have there attempts to pass and they give you two days...
once you have your permit you will get ready to go out (one on one with a certified Instructor) where you will learn the basic skills and get your first taste of living on the road. Depending on your instructor you may not even get to drive until your third week out.
My instructor had me driving the vary first week out.
By this time you have spent one week in orientation and testing and 3 to 4 weeks on the road depending on your ability to pick up on the skills.
(5 weeks)
While you are training On the road you will get an allowance of 140.00 a week for your road expenses (you will pay this back at 25.00 a week once your training is complete) IT IS AN ADVANCE
week 5 or 6 you return to Springfield the day or 2 before your skills test. and practice for the test.
you have to pass all three skills test, Pre-trip, Backing and road test. to complete your CDL training and get your CDL.
YOU HAVE THREE CHANCES... I passed my backing and pre-trip and failed my road test the first time. so my instructor and practice over the week end, went back next day and Passed road test and got my CDL..
Now were are not done yet...
Now I have to go out with a trainer for 60,000. combined miles, (accumulative miles of you and your trainer) Now your getting payed a guaranteed weekly amount of 500.00 a week or .10 cents a mile for those 60,000 miles.
Once you have done that then you have the option of being a company driver for there RTS division or staying out for another 20,000 miles and coming back and get into a lease program ( which by the way you will not own the truck after the lease) you turn it in and they will lease you another one... and your lease payment is 725.00 a week ( that's right ,, a week)
PROS and CONS
Pros.
+ it is some of the best tarining out their
+ they do a great job of taking care of you while your their in Springfield and on the road.
+ one on one with a certified instructor
+instructors are A++
+ more actual road time then any community collage or independent by the time your finished you will know if OTR trucking is for you.schools
+ equipment is 2005 and newer and well equiped.
Cons.
+Most expensive lease program if you want to go lease operator.
+ 140.00 road expense is an advance and you will pay it back.
+ if you have a family then you already know that the 500. a week guarantee is not enough to give you peace of mind while you are completing 60,000 + Miles over the road
+THE HOME TIME SUCK.. I didn't get back home until this week.
+ now that I am home for home time I don't get payed until I go back out with my trainer and then home on thanksgiving Day and then out till Xmas.
so their you have it, a fresh prospective of training at prime.
over all it was a great oppertunity and great training program.
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