But to make the simulation even more lifelike, the entire seat console moves. When the simulated truck slides on ice, the driver and the seat slide, too. “This is the closest thing to a truck as it gets,” Anthony says. “When the roads are slick in a scenario, the seat console will slide, and you’ll feel the truck move. So when you’re driving too fast, you’ll feel it and see it.”

Anthony doesn’t just work with Prime student drivers in the simulation lab. He also trains veteran drivers who have years of driving under their belts. New students complete simpler scenarios including successfully hauling a load to the bottom of a hill in light snow. For veterans, Anthony adds wind and a blizzard to the same scenario to help seasoned drivers experience especially hazardous conditions safely.

“What we drive home with our Prime student drivers is what we stress for everybody, which is to drive for conditions,” Anthony says. “The scenarios help all drivers get back to the basics of driving for what’s ahead of you, always looking forward, checking your mirrors. It’s always about driving with safety in mind.”

Prime student drivers complete 10 hours in the simulation lab as part of their initial training when they drive Prime’s fleet of drivers. But Anthony points out that all Prime drivers can gain a benefit from driving in the simulation lab.

“For Prime student drivers, there is no grade on the simulation machine; this isn’t a test,” he says. “It’s an exercise to help drivers know how to parallel park without having to worry about hitting a pole. If a driver comes in here and makes a mistake, we talk about it and try again. I want them to make mistakes, because in here if you cause a major wreck, we just do the simulation again. If we can avoid just one serious accident, we’ve both done our jobs.”

Ready to join Prime Inc? Click here to apply now or call 866-290-1568.

Chris Martin is a Fleet Manager in the Prime Inc. Refrigerated Division. He has been an associate at Prime for over 17 years. The Operations team asked Chris to go out to the Plaza facility in Springfield, MO and learn how to fix a rivot on an air chute, which can be an issue drivers encounter with refrigerated trailers. Chris teamed up with David Steffensen from the Prime Inc. Trailer Maintenance Department to be taught how to fix an air chute on a Prime Inc. refrigerated trailer along with what tools you will need in order to make the repair. This hands-on training was captured and shared with the Prime Fleet through the company’s mobile app this week.

You can check out the video here:

To repair a broken air chute, you will need these main items: rivets (located inside the Prime Inc. trailer’s reefer unit passenger-side door), a ladder, a hammer, and a #2 Phillips Screwdriver.

If drivers do not feel comfortable doing this fix on their own, they can reach out to their Fleet Manager or Road Assist Advisor at Prime Inc. for assistance. Drivers have live support at Prime, 24/7/365.  Learn more about driving for Prime Inc on www.primeinc.com. To speak with a Recruiter, call 800-511-5663. 

The Prime Student Driver Program started in 2002 out of the concept to help Prime Drivers train their spouses to get their CDL. Since the creation of the Prime Training Program, it has evolved and grown bigger every year helping thousands of new drivers from across the nation to obtain their Class A CDL through hands-on, one-on-one training in the real world. Prime has continued to innovate over the last decade to improve the process and skills being passed on to students and trainees. They are always looking for ways to create an even better experience for their fleet, new and old.

The idea to hold this training-specific meeting was sparked by conversations from the Prime Driver Advisory Board (DAB) Meeting held in November 2018. The DAB members agreed that the training program offered by Prime is one of the best in the industry but that the company could make it even better through some updates to the curriculum, expectations, and training materials provided to new drivers and to trainers/instructors.

The training meeting was coordinated by Stan Kasterke, Prime Training Program Manager, and covered the following topics: program stats; training program criteria, placement, and retention; safety and accident stats/review; Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) explanation and criteria, trainer expectations, and collection/documentation of training. This event was a starting point for program improvement and opened up opportunity for dialogue and innovation from both driving and non-driving associates. Next steps following the meeting? All attendees were asked to review current curriculum for CDL Instruction and TNT Training phases and provide feedback on updates and changes within the next 2 weeks.

“A successful program doesn’t happen from one person’s work or ideas; success comes from a group of people coming together with focus and intent,” states Stan Kasterke. “The Prime training program has proven to be successful in helping individuals become safe professional commercial vehicle operators, and making Prime #1 because of our on the job training program. This meeting is the start of building on a strong base, but going to the next level for those who rely on our company as an industry leader.”

If you would like to learn more about the Prime Student Driver Program, visit http://www.driveforprime.com.

About Prime, Inc. 
Prime, Inc. is North America’s most successful refrigerated, flatbed, tanker, logistics and intermodal transportation company. Company driver and independent contractor opportunities available in all divisions. New drivers can earn their Class A CDL through the Prime Student Driver Program with new classes starting weekly. At Prime, we have built a strong and enviable reputation for providing superior transportation services throughout North America. Our commitment to providing unsurpassed world-class customer service continues as we seek new methods, technical advances and systems which enable us to meet the ever-increasing demands of the shipping industry.