What is the downside?

How about the part where you criss-cross the country at 50MPH. Was that included in the Prime spiel? I can't speak directly for Prime because I have never nor will I ever drive for them; however, the incredibly slow speeds I see everyday. Your pitch sounds right out of the Prime recruiter's mouth and to tell you the truth I don't blame you. I few years ago I worked as a CDL instructor at a mill. We would get recruiters in from all the mega carriers to talk to the students and by the end of their spiel they almost had me believing! They all act like they really care about their drivers but that is not true. They care about their profits and the more students they cycle in and out of the driver's seat the more government grant money they get. Look at the turnover rate for Prime and any other mega carriers, there's a reason for it. I'm sure there are worse carriers than Prime and I know I'm going to get beat down by all the Prime faithfuls for writing this but I really don't care. The entire trucking industry is a scam. If you are smart enough to weed your way through the BS and have a good work ethic then yes, you can make money. Do your research, there are other better companies you could start with. Go about it the right way, go through a community college to get your license.

 

RAVEN is taking new drivers and have all of that.http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ce/262383-my-new-company-raven-transport.html also check out the little guy trucker and trainer james on youtube for more info, you get full size trucks volvos and internationals

 

The downside is that it isn't like you think it will be.

 

It's team training. That's a downside imo. How much are you learning while you drive and trainer sleeps or you sleep and trainer drives?

 

I too have done extensive research on companies that will train me for my CDL and employ me, and I too have decided that Prime is the best fit for me and is where I'm going to start.

Why someone in the same situation would choose a different company if well informed on all of the options? Since this was the question asked, here's some of the answers I can think of:

- They do not like the idea of living in the Eco49 tractor.
- They do not like the length of time of training, living in a truck with another dude, which seems to be long, comparatively.
- They do not like the speed the trucks are governed at, which seems to be very low, comparatively.
- They do not want to run reefer for whichever reason, but mostly because of the wait times that can be expected at shippers/receivers.
- They do not want to run reefer, but they also do not want to run flatbed or tanker with Prime because Prime seems to be much more active in the reefer market.
- Prime does not advertise favorable regional options or home time based options such as the 14/7 some other companies run.

None of these things matter to me, but these are some of the reasons why people would understandably choose other companies. Every man has different needs.

 

How long have you driven for prime... Oh wait, wait . You don't drive for them, the only thing that you think you know is based on 2nd, 5th, 36th or 4683562nd hand convo. If you don't actually know then keep quiet.

 

Driving a truck is a job like any other. There are going to be things you like about it and there are things you don't like about it. True, primes trucks are governed. Company trucks are governed at 58 in the floor and 62 on the cruise. Lease trucks are governed at 62 on the floor and 65 on the cruise.

A number if us drive slower because we are financially enticed to do so.

From my time that is the only company induced downside. The industry has it's own downsides such as having to flip flop your mental clock ftom night driving to day driving within a 12 hour time span .

I still say if you can show me a company that can significantly beat Prime's. Company parties then I'll consider switching companies.

because I am confident that other companies can't or won't beat Prime's parties I'll stay where I am, enjoying the lovely fringe benefits Robert bestows upon us.