Time for Prime.....

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Steve & Lo, Jun 7, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Steve & Lo

    Steve & Lo Medium Load Member

    358
    34
    May 22, 2007
    Tennessee
    0
    I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak from some of you. But, I'm gonna do it. And good or bad I'm gonna try and follow in Broncrider's tracks and tell you all about it. I start my orientation Monday, 6/11 and I'm planning on sharing the details. One advantage I have is my wife will be joining me as soon as she gets her CDL training. Then I will train her and we will be teaming up. I'll be sure and share all those details too!! LOL! I think that part will be the most entertaining.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. broncrider

    broncrider Road Train Member

    dont follow in my tracks or you'll get lost too
    just an FYI, one of our o/o's used to drive for prime....he wasnt to happy with them, so he bought his own truck and trailer and came over here....we were in reorientation together, just chatted with him the other nite, hes way happier, says the differnce is night and day....but i dont know all of the details...ill try to get him to come on here an fill ya in....cant garentee it though
    if i remeber right he was havin troubles with dispatch/miles

    i wish you the best of luck...i know i enjoy this
    see you on the big street soon
     
  4. Steve & Lo

    Steve & Lo Medium Load Member

    358
    34
    May 22, 2007
    Tennessee
    0
    Thanks Broncrider.....One of the main reasons we're going this route for now is to get my wife trained in....and she is scared to death of buying a truck. I'm wanting to get her used to the business and let her see the advantages of both sides. I was @ Prime in the early 90's so I know how it used to be....and from what I've heard it's gotten (some) better.

    But, really the only thing that was hampering me back then from making good money was me....I was not concentrating on the things that were important to me(Family). And was spending too much time doing things I shouldn't have been. And my attitude has gotten a lot better over the years.

    Not to mention.....SWMBO will be in there with me.....That's the biggest difference. If she likes the life.....we will be buying a truck in the near(2yrs) future.....If not.....I'll be buying one! LOL She is going into this with a very positive....yet tentative attitude. She knows if things work good we will be able to retire sooner than if we stayed where we were. (Fingers are definitely crossed)
     
  5. knighton5

    knighton5 Heavy Load Member

    960
    125
    Nov 19, 2006
    Rose City
    0
    Keep us posted, ive been thinking about leasing with Prime! I heard they do orientation in Missouri and Salt Lake City.
     
  6. coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    Trust me, Retirement not what it's made up to be, lol.. I've been medical retired now for 7 years. I'm going to come back out, one way or another. Disable but I'm coming back...
     
  7. Steve & Lo

    Steve & Lo Medium Load Member

    358
    34
    May 22, 2007
    Tennessee
    0
    Hey guys....I haven't abandoned you.....I've just been running my ##* off!! Went through the orientation for 4 days....took SWMBO with me so as not to pick out the wrong color truck!! They put us up and fed us for the whole time. They run their driving school and all their training programs out of a motel that the owner bought several years ago. It's not the Hilton....but it ain't bad either. Got the truck on Thursday evening.....They set me up to get a load close to home so I could go get the rest of my crap....took mama to dinner..... got up Friday morning. Kissed mama goodbye(she had to drive back to TN). Went and picked up a preloaded trailer that delivered 60 miles away that morning and paid me $180. Roughly $3.00 mi(LOL). Went from there to get the load that took me close to home.....18 mi dead head. Got home Saturday afternoon and delivered my first REAL load Monday morning.

    My first full week I ran a total of 3137 mi....2948 of those were dispatched. Leaving 189 mi D/H. Total revenue for 3 trips.... $4825.64 or roughly $1.54 per mile for all miles.

    With total costs of $3231.08..... This included everything from Lease to $1.78 for my 2 PrePass hits....

    For a total of $1747.06 that I brought home.

    I'm in my 2nd full week.....only gonna have 2 trips this week...... from Salinas, CA to Tomah, WI.......And, Sturtevant, WI to Avares, FL which I will be delivering tomorrow morning.

    Fuel has been the #1 cost that I've had.....being in CA, the fuel mileage has suffered a little. I've been averaging about 6.03mpg....had some pretty heavy loads...and those hills out there.....well, you guys know what I'm talking about.

    The Fuel surcharge has really been a big help.....along with the fuel network that Prime has.....they have a discount program set up all over the country with just about everybody but the J.....so we pay less than the cash price for all of our fuel.......which helps with the bottom line too!

    Everything isn't perfect.......I really wanted a KW......But, I'm getting used to the Freightliner. It has felt really good getting back on the road.... I've missed it.....11 years pulling wiggle-wagons 700 miles A WEEK....Just can't wait for mama to get out there with me.

    I know a lot of you guys say that Leasing is just making the other guy the money.......but....when you are needing to get started....and don't have the means to get your own rig going.....I think this is a viable option. Will I lease forever?......Probably not......But for now, I'm back on the road.... And my wife will be joining me soon.....and she's studying for her CDL as we speak......And I gotta think that these guys will help us do the things we want to do for ourselves and our family.

    Cause......they're runnin' the Dog P*ss out of me right now.....and I know they have the freight out there to run you if you want.

    Should be getting the Laptop in the next couple of weeks.........so things should be coming more regularly. And I will be able to include more detailed info......but mama is wondering who I'm soooooo wrapped up talking to..... And I have 650 miles to get in tonight.....gotta leave out around 1700......so see you guys soon!

    If you hear "Bullwinkle" and "Rocky" on the radio......Give us a shout!
     
  8. broncrider

    broncrider Road Train Member

    ewwwwwwww....a frieghtliner

    glad to hear that you are enjoying it so far, and that your loads are paying good...just remember to put some away each week for the rainy days

    good luck and see ya on the big street
     
  9. Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

    594
    29
    Jun 11, 2006
    Texas
    0
    Wow, I wish I could have talked to you first.

    I leased a truck via Prime back in the early 90's and I made a ton of money. I got off the road for a few years and went back in 2002, and went back to Prime. Let me tell you, things have changed for the worse. Far for the worse.

    You will probably make some money as team drivers, but I would say there is a 99% chance that you will make less than you could as a company driver for someone else.

    Prime has went downhill in the past 10-15 years, I know that first hand. They allow you to log the speed limit, which is just an accident waiting to happen at a DOT check because nobody can run the speed limit legally and we all know that. They do this for the opportunity of running your ### in the ground, on high mileage loads that pay crappy.

    Seriously, there are companies that will put your wife through training and allow you guys to team up. I wish you the best, but would not want to be in your shoes.
     
  10. Bullwinkle

    Bullwinkle Medium Load Member

    594
    29
    Jun 11, 2006
    Texas
    0
    Ok, now that is funny. My wife and I go by those same handles. I am bullwinkle, she is rocky :)
     
  11. knighton5

    knighton5 Heavy Load Member

    960
    125
    Nov 19, 2006
    Rose City
    0
    Ive been thinking about leasing on with Prime, but from what ive been hearing lately is I would be out 3 weeks at a time just to make any money, plus the miles they say I could expect a week (7 days) I run in five days now as a company driver, so I get 1 or 2 days off every week, my choosing... What do SOLO PRIME drivers bring home weekly??? net! Im just curious if its really that much more then company drivers, plus lease operators have to pay for there own medical insurance.... I would love to lease on but I cant see the real benefits... my own opinion! Drive Safe
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  • Thread Status:
    Not open for further replies.