Thoughts on Switching to Prime (Team Lightweight)

Discussion in 'Prime' started by Mystik, Nov 24, 2014.

  1. Mystik

    Mystik Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2014
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    Hey guys and girls. Currently, I'm under contract with CRST, and for a while was a huge fan of theirs. But like anything else, with time the truth comes out. What was 6, 7, 8000 mile weeks have become meager 4500-5000 mile weeks. And as a company driver that's at .32/mile, it's not enough for me.

    So I've really been eyeballing Prime lately and they seem to be my next step but I just wanted thoughts on the matter. I will be running team with my girlfriend, (we're both young, no kids) and will eventually consider going lease. But for the time being we wanted to get some time in with Prime company side before deciding to lease.

    From my understanding speaking with a recruiter, we'd both be coming in at .43/mile (lightweight, more on that later)
    The goal is to go min 5,000mi/wk - max 6,000mi/wk

    There's a mileage bonus of .10/ for all miles above 3,500 so on the low side that'd be 1,500

    There's also a fuel bonus although I have no idea how it works, whether there are tiers, etc. (I'm banking on being successful in the LW since im able to attain 7.5mpg+ On 40,000+lb loads (personal best 8.4mpg) on a fairly consistent basis in a full size 2015 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution)

    I don't know of any more bonuses. I've seen some YouTube vids on the LWs and a concern of mine is the size of the bed (the WHOLE truck concerns her lol). My girlfriend and I fit just fine on the full size trucks bed, but I'm wondering if they also shrunk the bed width in the LW.

    Since we're a couple all the money goes to the same account. Now if the math is right,
    3,500 x .43 = $1,505
    1,500 x .53 = $795
    Thats $2,300/wk, not factoring in a fairly low fuel mileage bonus of say, 7.5mpg.

    Now, I read in IronPony's lease post that a team can be fairly successful in a lease. But I wanna get a good feel company side before we go in that direction, though that is the intention.

    I think a factor will be the size of the truck, but if we can adapt, I think we can be very successful.

    As far as bills go, They're barely 1,000/mo. total for the both of us.

    Sorry for the spacing but I like to keep all ideas organized. So what I ask you fine people is, what do you think, do you have any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions or ideas? I've been thinking about this setup for a week now and I just wanna read your thoughts on it.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
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  3. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    When your contract with CRST expires, be sure to leave on good terms.

    Also, if you team with your girlfriend, be sure that both of you realize that the 2 of you will be very close to each other for long extended periods of time.

    Good luck to you!
     
  4. Mystik

    Mystik Bobtail Member

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    Nov 24, 2014
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    We currently team here. We just want to leave as soon as I'm done. This place is toxic.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  5. Sik_Life

    Sik_Life Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2014
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    They won't put 2 people in a lightweight truck.
     
  6. michaelg

    michaelg Light Load Member

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    Nov 14, 2011
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    Environment here is pretty good. Most other Prime drivers I see on the road including myself are very content.

    I'm sure Ironpony will chime in with specifics later, but if I'm not mistaken teams get. 48 cpm to the truck in addition to fuel bonus which can go upwards of an additional 9 cpm.

    As mentioned I think teams get full size.

    When I teamed in training miles were about 5.8k/week.
     
  7. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Ask my GPS...
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    No idea on tram remuneration on the company side, but I'll ask. You won't be running a lightweight as a team... you'll be in a full-size tractor.
     
  8. archangelic peon

    archangelic peon Medium Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2011
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    Bed width is the same but there is basically no space between front of bed & back of curtain on a Cascadia LW at least, Prostars have a 56in sleeper to the Cascadia's 48in.
    10cpm split for all miles 3500 & up per payroll week is correct as long as your trips are sent in no later then 48hrs from time of empty & by 1600CST Tuesday - Tuesday.
    Fuel bonus caps @ .06cpm @ 9.1mpg for the week...good luck with the winter blend diesel already in circulation. Scanning in trips within 48hrs also is required to get the fuel bonus.
    Should be base rate of .44cpm team with no miles at prime-recruiter needs the latest pay sheet...
    10cpm (.05 each) of that 44cpm is per diem...so your straight pay rate is 34cpm split
    Maximum mileage credit from switching divisions is 180,000miles @ 12-17 & 18-24months pay bands @ 44.5cpm & .45cpm respectively
    Whether they will give you milage credit from your experience elsewhere remains to be seen.
    Most pay raises are a half cpm at increasing intervals of milage.
    Top company driver team pay rate is .49cpm @ 720,000 dispached miles with prime

    Miles all depends on your FM. You should bank on an average of 5000
    Give your FM ETA's & other pertinent info to maximise your pre-planability.

    Have seen a couple of LW teams, but not sure if lease or company & if actual team drivers or just significant other.
    If they did give you the LW bonus for teaming, it would be 5cpm split, although adding extra weight defeats the purpose of the LW.
     
  9. cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

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    Team flatbed can make quite a ###### bit of money. When you have someone helping you toss straps and fold tarps you're moving twice as fast as my slow ###. Rather than sitting backed in a dock praying the lumpers get done with you sooner than later, you could be pullin tarps across a load and done in a little over an hour- with the truck running and making money.

    Think on it.
     
    Reycer Thanks this.
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