prime trucking.

Discussion in 'Prime' started by squatch, Aug 20, 2009.

  1. U2Exit

    U2Exit Road Train Member

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    There is a two tier insurance option for medical..... cheaper with higher co-pay or more expensive with lower co-pay

    I took the top tier... as a Company Driver it was in $60-70 dollar range per week (that included life insurance and dental)

    After my first year Prime kicks in more money and its now in the mid to lower $50s per week.

    From my experiance its been a $30 dollar co pay for each Dr. visit... and I have had 2 perscriptions that have cost me 40 cents and 8 cents at Wal-mart.

    The Options get a more expensive if you have a family.... and even more if you are a Lease Operator.
     
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  3. NYC_Trucker

    NYC_Trucker Bobtail Member

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    Jan 5, 2009
    New York, NY
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    Sheryl was my recruiter. She's mad-cool!

    She's straight up honest and everything she said was true. Right now I'm at the Campus Inn ready to start driving tomorrow.

    When I get more time I'll post a lot more about the experience which to this day has been really good sans the greyhound bus ride.
     
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  4. teddy_bear6506

    teddy_bear6506 I'm Vintage

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    May 23, 2009
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    I'm sorry to hear of your friends passing. My thoughts go out to you and to the family. It sounds as though you have a very understanding FM. Be careful on the road.
     
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  5. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    So I talked to sheryl again today, asked more question just trying to make the right choices. It all seems good, I get on the bus monday orientation starts wednesday. I'm pretty excited. Hey what do u guys know about the bmi rules they have now? The other thing is how can they offer so much more during your training then the other companys do? Why isn't everyone trying to get in there?
     
  6. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Ask my GPS...
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    I believe the BMI rule is 30 or less. Just search for "BMI" online, and you'll find a calculator that you can put your statistics into. Generally, if you're close, dropping 10 lbs will get you by.

    Prime does a really good job by us, and the recruiters are slammed. That's because there is a lot of interest in working for them, and that's why it's so hard to get ahold of them. That being said, working for a large OTR company is not for everybody...
     
  7. justin30

    justin30 Bobtail Member

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    May 4, 2009
    nashville,tn
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    ironpony, if u have the option to shut down in bad weather, but on the other hand i hear make your app. on time no excuses could u explain this? Thanks!
     
  8. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Sep 23, 2007
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    I can't state this with any certainty, but I believe our load planners allow some extra time on our loads during the winter months - that helps.

    First, I've been lucky the last couple of winters. Timing is everything, and I've missed some bad situations by minutes occasionally. Second, I keep a close eye on the weather, and try to time my movements to take advantage of breaks in the weather. Third, I always try to get the driving done up front in a trip... summer or winter. You can always cool your heels waiting for an appointment outside of the receivers fence. Fourth, our loads tend to be on the heavy side, and you can get away with a lot more at 80k GVW than you can at 45k GVW. That being said, I had the fortunate experience of spending an October, November and December with a trainer when I started in this business.

    I'm also a chicken, and will shut things down for a HOS break whenever road conditions get bad... when your arse starts feeling those little micro skids instead of pushing my luck. I also slow down a lot sooner than many of the other drivers... leading to many derisive comments on the CB about "bein' skeerd" - you betcha! Keeps me out of the ditch, and the shiney-side up. You heard about the tortise and the hare, didn't ya?

    Did I mention I've been lucky?

    Honestly, I'm not looking forward to this winter, because it seems like the dividing line in the atmosphere between the colder and hotter weather has been running a lot further south this summer. If I need to take advantage of Prime's "Captain of the Ship" policy, you bet I will - I have in the past, and will in the future. At orientation, Don Lacey - our safety director - gives his cellphone number out. If I really need to use it when talking to some third-string, replacement pinch-hitter, night, weekend dispatch wannabe FM who is trying to pressure me into driving in bad conditions, I'll use that number. And my regular FMs number too. That's why you have conference call capability on cell phones. Don isn't kidding when he says, "There's no freight so hot that it won't cool-off sittin' in the ditch." I'm also a firm believer in the proposition that chains are for ballast, not for use on tires. I don't plan on ever putting the #### things on, unless I need to get out of a bad situation that I'm already in.

    So yeah, I don't miss my appointments, but I will if its a choice between driving safe and ending up jack-knifed on the side of the road. You drive the stretch on I80 between Des Moines and the Quad Cities after a bad storm has come through in December or January, and you'll see why I'm a chicken.

    Did I mention that I've been lucky?
     
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  9. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    So I've completly made up my mind, prime it is. I'm a little nervous. This is a big change for me. But my family is behind me 100% so its gonna be good. I know certain companys are not for everyone, so I'm hoping it all works out. Prime seems like a good place to be from what I've heard and read. I talked to a prime driver at the flying j today and he said he loved it. I guess the only thing that makes me nervous now is getting a good trainer, I've heard the horror storys god I hope I don't become part or one. Anyways drive safe guys, I will make sure to keep posting and keep in contact.
     
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  10. Lynchmob

    Lynchmob Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2009
    Denver, Colorado
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    Ya, I dug this post out of the grave....so what? shoot me :biggrin_25523:

    Good to know Iron. It's in our best interests to get the load to it's destination on time, but it's great to know the company has their drivers backs with regards to safety. Can't wait to start!
     
  11. popmartian

    popmartian Road Train Member

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    May 31, 2009
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    Are you good enough for Prime? Is Prime good enough for YOU?

    I showed up for prime ACE1 orientation with an open mind and desire to be a 1st seat Company Driver. By the end of the first day I withdrew my application and walked out. I have almost 5 years of OTR experience with a National Carrier hauling Refrigerated so I am Qualified to judge this company called Prime, Inc. I am fifty-two years old, 5" 10" and 260 lbs. I have never had been fired from a job. I have never had a DOT-Preventable Accident.

    Early on in the Orientation, I witnessed a company that is determined to Control! Way too much control for an Free Spirit like my-self. Prime Application requires the driver to agree and sign legal and binding contracts regarding your performance to operate a comericial vehicle. The documents state mandatory performance of no less than 6.75 MPG or Termination. Drivers are required to obtain a US passport , Haz-Mat Endorsement and Other Requirement (too many to list). So far I was "OK" with all those requirements.

    In October 2010, I passed a routhine Physical from my Family Physican and recieved a Medical Card from my former trucking company 3rd party Doctor. Of course that's not good enough for prime. After a DOT physical at the Campus Inn , I was ordered to go to the Corporate Compound for another "Air-Way" screening. The Same medical professional from the 1st DOT Exam preformed a exam. He looked into my throat for one second and said " you need a sleep study". "What" ... I asked the doctor, " what do you base your determination on" and he showed me a line-drawing of a human air-passage. His said," I was pre-determined to have this condition called sleep apnea and testing was 140 dollars and the device was 2400 dollars and not to worry because prime owns the testing facilities and a medical supply company that sells sleep apnea equipment. " Prime is now treading into my personal sleep habits and selling medical equipment, WOW. I'm thinking car salesman, Enough is Enough already. I'm not buying it and demand a second opinion. Prime, Inc. is telling me how much or how often is enough sleep. This is a Freedom I reserve, and I am not willing to give it up.

    Why does a company need to sell and profit from a device it prescibes to its drivers according to a company medical policy ( more control ). If this was a third party outside independent Medical Doctor, Yes, I would consider undergoing a clinical study to determine if I needed to purchase a 2400 Sleep Apnea Ventilation Unit from a Relaible Medical Equipment Supply Company. But all of this is done in house under the pretense of medically necessary. What a Load Of B. U. L. L. I do not have problems falling asleep while driving. I get plenty of rest and sleep during my 10 hour DOT Break. plus breaks through-out the course of a work day while parked waiting for loads.

    Prime and Predjudise. Prime can and will try to exploit the weaknesses of men and woman desperate to find work. I was grouped by others of the the same age, weight and height and required to submit to the Sleep Apnea test or be denied Medical Certification From Prime, Inc. I exersized my right to refuse emplopyment and asked that my my application withdrawn. My recruiter's response was " We will have to submit a report to Hire-Right(formerly DAC) that you attended orientation and quit." I graciously thanked him for the oppurtunity and left.

    Why Prime, Inc. was not a good place for me. Freedom is Choice. I will not give up my personal liberties and lifestyle to be gainfully employed. Simply put, I am in control of my destiny and do not wish to trade my freedom to choose an job offered by the Trucking Company based on mis-representation.

    This information is solely my opinion and is provided to help people understand how the Trucking Industry has become over regulated and ruled by a group of mis-informed "Safety Advocates". I believe when these people are finished grabbing control of the the Industry, Small Independent Truckers will fall to the way side. It's Just a matter of time. Corporate Giants like Prime, Inc with FMCSA rules are have control of driving jobs based on a Predjudice instead of Performance.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2011
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