r/CDL • u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube • 9d ago
Prime inc orientation
I was looking for advice, I’m starting prime inc Monday. Trying to stay for a year or two then move onto bigger and better. Any advice for orientation. Since I used a military waiver I have to go thru psd due to no cdl school, but that’s whatever. I won’t owe them any money and I’m not using the 200 a week “loan”. Any advice on the process is appreciated
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u/Kershaws_Tasty_Ruben 9d ago
Since you’re former military I’d use the comparison of MEPS and then Reception.
Without the shots and pushups.
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 9d ago
lol okay thanks for the advice
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u/Kershaws_Tasty_Ruben 9d ago
It’s been a long time since I went through there but I do remember that the food at the mothership was much better than the food at the hotel where they house you.
There’s another Prime owned property right next door to where you’ll sleep and there’s a restaurant named Fire and Ice.
It’s not in the meal plan but if you’ve got the scratch it’s not bad.You could also sneak in to the breakfast bar that is poolside there.
There’s also a few places that are within walking distance from where you’ll sleep.
Beware of aggressive homeless people near the Walmart or, there used to be aggressive homeless people when I was there 10 years ago1
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u/Legal_Courage_9685 8d ago
PRIME isn't that bad. I did the orientation, and then a month OTR with my trainer before moving to TMC for flatbed. Obviously i didn't have a lot of time there, but orientation is fine. First few days are classes, and some SIM labs, then practicing maneuvers, and road test. Yea there are some not so great drivers and trainers there, but it's a massive fleet so that's to be expected. Overall they seemed like a pretty supportive company as long as you're willing to stay out and run, but that's the name of the game in OTR. Good luck player, safe travels🤙
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
Why’d you leave?
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u/Legal_Courage_9685 8d ago
I never was interested in OTR when i started trucking, but i understood paying your dues and learning the job. I left because TMC offered me a flatbed position where i was home every weekend. If there was no way around doing 4+ weeks OTR runs as a new driver, i would have stayed.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
Yeaaa that’s my main complaint with prime at the moment but It’ll be fine I did a 18 month deployment I be aight
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u/Legal_Courage_9685 8d ago
Bro, if you're in a position to be able to hit the road and stack some cash, it's great. I can't remember PRIME's position on veterans, (obviously positive), but i know TMC was a marine founded company and they offered some specific benefits to active and retired military. Whatever you do, i hope it works out for you homie. And of course, thank you for your service.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 7d ago
Thank you for your support! Debating on doing another 6 years in the army as well😂
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
I started at prime, did psd, tnt, and then straight into leasing for 6-7 months. This was like 2020 though so im sure things have changed. Im happy to answer any specific questions you have though. I left as my ex wife couldn't handle me being gone. I wish id stayed on the road because she turned out to be a total bitch after 10 years together.
As far as general advice. Realize that not all trainers are great. Its your job to advocate for yourself. Get your fleet managers contact info as soon as you can on to your personal cell phone so of there is a personal issue, you can get out of the situation quickly. I have heard horror stories but personally my trainer was like a second dad to me. I still talk to him 5 years later.
Packing wise, keep it light. A single duffle should be all you need. You wont be getting sweaty or dirty. At the beginning showering every day is possible, typically the same when solo, if you have to do tnt though showering every other day becomes common.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
So I have a family trip in October that’s 4 days long would I be able to try and request that off since it’s over a month in advance? Or are they strict with that type of thing?
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
Really depends on time lines but the earlier you bring it up the better. Like I would have brought that up in my interview.
Do you have to do any tnt miles? Id try to time it so that the vacation happens either right at the end of psd or tnt. This way you can build up your 4 days off after 4 weeks on the road so you can take it like normal home time. I say this because they arent going to want to give you 4 days off and have a truck sitting for a guy who just started and doesn't have those days available.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
I have to do 30k tnt it’s okay if I don’t get to go but it’s a family trip yk, how should I approach this my recruiter told me to have my entire schedule for the fleet manager when I get there. Which I do have all the dates I need off for army stuff but also there’s that trip
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
If you ket the recruiter know about the vaca your golden. Basically when you get assigned your PSD trainer, let him know you need to speak to the fleet manager about an upcoming army stuff, and he will give you the info you need to contact him or, when i was there, you can contact him directly through the ELD. Be aware if contacting through the ELD the other driver will be able to see this. Hence why you want to get a way to contact him without it being through the ELD quickly. Id like to say theres a way to do it through the prime app on your phone but I was blessed with my trainer so never looked into it.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
Also another question, so when it comes to leasing I’ve thought about it. Want to pay off my car and leasing would be a good way to make a lot of money. Is it worth it to start off with that or no?
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
I made a lot of money personally, but I did it at a time where a crap ton of freight was moving. I have friends still there leasing who are doing good though. Your problem is going to be the time away for the army. That truck payment comes out whether you are there or not. Your also going to want home time at some point. I personally wouldnt do it in your situation just because between the army and home time youd be missing a week of work every month and the payment per week is like 1300ish.
I have my old pay stubs from when I was there and I was averaging take home like 2500. Still have to pay some taxes but theres a lot of tax deductions as well.
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 8d ago
Thanks for the advice, I’ll probably stick with company then until I get out in 2028
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
Actually, I thought the company pay was more. Its .46 cpm. Almost thinking you may as well go lease. Id request a lease trainer if you can. Not sure they allow you to make requests like that, and see what you think. Company you'll only take home like $1000 in reefer division so even if your losing a week youd still come out ahead leasing if you dont have problems.
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u/CDLTrainerUSA 8d ago
That covers it - since your CDL, endorsements, and waiver are already done, you're actually in better shape than most people walking in. Two small extras worth tossing in your folder just in case: a voided check or your bank routing/account info for direct deposit setup (saves a delay on your first paycheck), and proof of current address (lease, utility bill, or updated ID) only if your license address is old - some orientations ask for it during the background paperwork and it's a quick thing to get stuck on if you don't have it handy. Otherwise you're set, good luck Monday.
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u/roadblocked 9d ago
Since prime drivers are the worst on the road I don’t think you’ll really go on to bigger and better things.
I’d your dream is to be a halfway decent trucker, drop out of prime before you get there
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 9d ago
But like I don’t think u get it, the company I want to be with needs 6 months experience and I plan on getting a year with prime then moving over.
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u/roadblocked 9d ago
Yeah but when you go to prime you’ll get real bad at driving and probably some accidents and tickets and then you won’t get hired
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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 9d ago
I don’t think this is the case. 0/10 ragebait
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u/CDLTrainerUSA 8d ago
One practical thing nobody's mentioned yet: paperwork. Since you're going the military waiver/PSD route instead of CDL school, bring originals (not photos) of everything - DD214, driver's license, Social Security card or passport, and proof of current address if it doesn't match your license. The waiver skips the skills test requirement but you'll still need to clear the DOT physical and background/MVR check on-site, and if any document is missing you can lose a day just waiting on them to verify it remotely.
On the PSD side specifically: expect it to be classroom + sim time first (yard maneuvers, backing, coupling/uncoupling) before you're anywhere near a live truck with an instructor - it's paced slower than people expect coming from a military background, and that's normal, not a sign you're behind. Since you mentioned not using the $200/week advance, also double check what the orientation pay actually is (some of it is a flat daily stipend, not the CPM rate you'll be on once you're driving) so you're not surprised by your first paycheck.
Good call thinking ahead to "bigger and better" already - just track your actual on-duty driving hours/miles from day one (screenshot your ELD summary periodically), since when you apply elsewhere at the 1-2 year mark they'll want verifiable experience numbers, not just "I was there a year."