I don't live near Prime terminals, how does hometime work?

Discussion in 'Prime' started by youngclarkh, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. youngclarkh

    youngclarkh Light Load Member

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    Never driven before so this is going to sound really stupid... :biggrin_2554:

    Since I don't live near to any of the major Prime terminals I'm trying to wrap my mind around how a driver drops off his last load and heads home. Do you bobtail it home, and if so, do you have to pay for the fuel yourself?

    Also, when it's time to pick up your first load and head out OTR again do you have to drive all the way to a terminal that may be hundreds of miles away?
     
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  3. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    They will usually try to get you a load that drops off fairly close to home, then you would drive home empty. (with Trailer)
    Park the Truck someplace.
    And when you get ready to leave they will try to get something that picks up relatively close to where you live.
    You keep the Trailer.

    Some companies are pretty picky about where they want you to park though.
     
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  4. RJ33RD

    RJ33RD Heavy Load Member

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    No question is a stupid question. Usually you can take the truck home with you if you a place to park it. My friend use to bring his truck and trailer home with him on his days off. Most companies will pay for you to get to their terminal. If you don't have a cdl yet and you're going thru their training program, they will pay for travel expenses and lodging while at their school. Once school is complete and you passed sometimes you will go home until they find you a trainer. So to answer your questions. . Yes no no lol
     
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  5. youngclarkh

    youngclarkh Light Load Member

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    So Prime doesn't mind me using their truck and fuel to drive home and back? That surprises me
     
  6. Highway101

    Highway101 Road Train Member

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    Your FM will tell you where to drop the trailer and then you Bobtail home. You can not generally take the trailer home as it must be secure and sales wants to keep it in the system. As far as fuel goes, yep, they pay for it. You will probably be dropping the trailer at someplace fairly close anyways so it is no big deal.
     
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  7. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    No they dont mind, most companies send you with a load in that area, then home empty or obtail, Normal.
     
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  8. cardinals1970

    cardinals1970 Medium Load Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    When you are unloaded Prime will tell you where to drop the trailer and once that is done you will then just bobtail home. When it is time to come back out Prime will tell you where to pickup and empty trailer and then send you to be loaded or they may just have you bobtail somewhere and pickup a preloaded trailer. I have deadheaded as much as 5 hrs just to get home, any miles you driver from your unload point to where Prime tells you to drop the trailer you get paid for.
     
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  9. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Fuel is a big thing, trucking companies don't like burning anymore fuel then possible which is why most have an idle policy.When you're heading home for hometime chances are Prime will not let you deadhead home unless you're within a 50 to 100 mile radius.Prime is a pretty big outfit they'll more then likely find you a load to pick up close to your home when its time for u to go back out.You won't have hundreds of miles to drive for a load.Companies try and save on fuel consumption as much as possible so they try and find loads to pick up close to your last delivery or your home.
     
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  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    They had me bobtail from North Platte NE to Denver for TurkeyDay one year...
     
  11. cardinals1970

    cardinals1970 Medium Load Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    You couldn't be more wrong as I have deadheaded home from as much as 300 miles away from my house. When coming back out I have gone up to about 200 miles to pickup a load.
     
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