Well I'm getting real close to bailing the airline industry. I'm sure many of you probably have seen the news lately and this industry is not looking good, especially for a young guy like me with a long future ahead of him. (I'm 21)

Anyways, I recently applied to prime when I was bored one day. Well two days ago I got a call from the recruiter saying I was accepted into their training program. So of course I told her I would get back to her in a few days after I do some more research and talk about it with some of my family. My family is cool with it, so now it's on me. I can find a lot of information on the lease/op side of prime, but I'm more interested in the actual training and then being a company driver.

Any input on prime and their training and company drivers would be greatly appreciated. I am also open to any other trucking companies. I don't necessarily need free training, as I can afford it on my own, but it would make life a lot easier for me right now.

 

here is a forum set up by a prime driver hope it helps ya some,of course Prime is not for every one if that is where u decide to go with stay on the company side.That way u won't get Fleased in there Lease good luck to ya

www.primedrivers.net also try this site www.fleetdirectory.com

 

One thing I can tell you,you may not see elsewhere:

They start a new class every week,tuesday as I recall,of roughly 25 new recruits.By thursday,when you begin testing for the CDL permit,your class likely will have been weeded down to a dozen or so.There are always a few who wash out from failing the drug screens,high blood pressure.One or two may decide it's not for them and leave before they're commited to a year.Then there are the couple of duds that are just too thick skulled to pass the written test.They test thursday and friday.In most cases,those unable to pass by friday afternoon are sent home.

Once getting your permit,you go out for a few weeks with an instructor,then return to Springfield to test out for your CDL and wait on a trainer.By the time I got that far along there were just 3 of us left.Now,two years later,NONE of us are still there,and haven't been for over a year....

 

Question: Are you on the customer service side of the Airline industry or in maintenance?

If you are on the maintenance/mechanical side - STAY There! You may have to find a better carrier, or even a military sub-contractor, but stay in that field. There will be planes flying!

If you are in customer service, well, maybe truck driving is a route, but not your only option! Things are not much better on the trucking side, than they are on the airline side!

If I had not been so dense at your age, and gone through and gotten my airframe certification, I would be able to retire! Oh well!

 

You are better off starting at swift than prime . My first trucking job was rocor witch was bought up by prime and the both sucked :twisted:

 

Hey r311 u really need to give it good thought! r u home sleepin in ur own bed? do u want to miss family gatherings? do u mind being alone in different states? Lastly keep in mind u r obligated to stay w/Prime Inc. 4 1yr. or u will leave and they will mark ur DAC w/ no 4 rehire or put something worse on it ! That will haunt u as long as u r trying to get into trucking and could even hurt ur Credit if u did not pay them back!! JUST SOME FYI! FOR U!! :shock:

 

and if "u" would take a bit of time to spell out your sentences...people would have an easier time understanding you.....

 

Why shouldn't the ding your Credit if you don't pay the loan? Last time I check the employee signed a contract to repay the loan.

kc0iv

 

THANKS SUPER TRUCKER AND SENIOR TRUCKER!!!!! :shock: :lol: U GUYS R WUNDERFUL!!!!!!!!! :?:

 

I did the training through Prime and it was good. Wise decision on your part to go company. We did the lease and that was BAD. As a company they're OK, great terminal, but don't let them talk you into leasing.

There are other companies out there that train, so you might want to look around a bit. I personally wouldn't go to Swift as I've heard sooo many bad things about it (don't have personal experience with them though - I have to be honest about that).

Good luck to you!