prime trucking.

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

  1. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    so i got a call from prime trucking today, and they have offered me a job. i've been talking to a lady named sheryl (sp)? she seems honest, i hope. You know how the big companys are. being from michigan a lot of companys are not hiring in my state, so i have to take the jobs that come along. so what does everybody think about prime?
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2009
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  3. kingsson

    kingsson Heavy Load Member

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    Omaha, NE
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    I would not be anywhere else, and I have been at other companies. You will hear a lot of BS from guys who know someone who's cousin's friend had a neighbor who had a bad experience with Prime. It is always the COMPANY'S fault whenever a driver has a bad experience. Look at one fact. A lot of big companies, like Werner, etc. are shutting down trucks and have unemployed drivers looking for other jobs. Prime is GROWING. That should tell you something, right there. We are doing something right. I have yet to meet anyone at Prime who is not friendly and won't bend over backwards to help the DRIVERS, which, after all, is what a company is all about. We are the ones who make the money for everyone else at the company.

    BTW - anyone.... the picture on my avatar is my truck from my former company. I have not figured out how to get a new pic on there. They are all "too big".
     
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  4. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Not always. I was with that yanked up outfit you call a company. I am not a new driver and that place was a cluster from the dealing with the recruiter until turning in my truck. I am doing the same job where I am now and I am happy. So was it me or the yanked up co?

     
  5. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    I have no personal experiance with prime, and like all companys, you hear good and bad. There are some other companys i would rather work for, but michigan blows, no freight coming this way. i was signed on to go work for tmc, which is a ok company, and i would like to give flatbed a try. then a week before i was supposed to head i got a call, sorry we can't use you we lost our contrct in your area. so its on to the next company. i'm waiting on a call from roehl which form all i ahve heard is a good outfit.
     
  6. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Cheryl was my recruiter. I found her to be very straight-forward with me, and never had a problem with her. I found her to not over-promise, although you have to remember it is her job to sell the company.

    As far as Prime is concerned, it is a great place to train. Training pay is far in excess of what most other companies pay. Company pay rate is very good considering the economy, and vastly superior to the big dry van companies. We keep our equipment in top shape (except for the junker that notarps4me ended up with,) are not forced to run illegally, and can shutdown in bad weather when YOU decide it is unsafe to be on the road.

    As far as freight is concerned, yeah things were pretty bad last quarter '08, first quarter '09 - but they were bad all over. Things have been very busy since spring, and are looking good now.

    Prime has been good for me - I think they are a great company, but that's my experience. Your mileage may vary here, as they did in notarps4me's experience. But hey! Maybe he was halucinating, and really driving for Swift!

    :biggrin_25520:
     
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  7. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    hey ironpony, what do they pay during the training period? also what kind of miles can i expect? im really intrested in the company. are the dispatchers pretty good? any real problems? be honest
     
  8. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Nothing until you get your CDL, although they will advance you $240 a week (taken out at $25 chunks when you start getting paid) during CDL instruction. Once you've received your CDL, you're hired on $600 per week guaranteed (as long as you're available for dispatch... not sitting on your arse at home!), or 12 cpm over 5000 miles, whichever is greater.

    As a solo company driver 2200 - 3200 miles per week. Not sure what my average is since my laptop with my records crashed. But I'd think my average is about 2800 miles per week. Teams get more of course, and 6000 to 7000 miles per week is not uncommon. If you decide to lease (and I don't recommend that without a good long look at the costs and your financial situation - rates are down now) you receive 72% of linehaul revenue and 100% of fuel surcharge.

    Yeah, I believe so. The two I've worked with have been top notch. Remember, you have to prove yourself as a newb, always be on time (no excuses) and meet your minimum fuel economy number as a company driver. Do that, and you'll get along. Bad dispatchers don't tend to last here because they are paid based on your success.

    I don't appreciate delivering a load some jerk lease op dropped off at a drop yard so he could go charging down the road. Don't get paid much for those little busy work deals. I don't really have much I can complain about - I think Prime is a stand-up company. My FM (dispatcher) is really good, keeps me rolling, and does a good job at getting me good loads - I do a lot of northeast work for him and don't complain. That being said, I don't biotch about the stuff I do that doesn't pay well (see above) and do the best job I can - I make my appointments on time, get good mileage. We get along - that's important. Yeah, money-wise, things can ALWAYS be better, but I'm not complaining.

    Two examples:

    We get to choose home time for one of two major holidays... and get routed home for them - Thanksgiving or Christmas. I choose turkey day because that's what the GF wants... got deadheaded from my unload at N. Platte NE to Denver at company expense. That being said, expected to be on the road for Christmas, but my FM got me a load to Denver and told me to take the time off. Cool, eh?

    Had a friend pass from a stroke a few nights ago. Got empty in MA on Tuesday, and asked him for a favor - a load running through Denver for a layover so I could go to the memorial. Next load was upstate NY to Allentown PA. Sets me up for a run from Allentown to San Jose CA... works out right for me to spend this Sunday afternoon in Denver. He didn't have to do that. Also, will have excellent miles this week on top of that.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2009
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  9. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    ironpony, from what you have said and what i've read on this site prime seems real good. i'm excited about it. my recruiter set me up for orientation next next wenesday. which mean i got long bus ride in a few short days. how is the health insurance? whats that gonna cost me? i do have a cdl with doubles and tankers already so im not new to a truck just otr. i been driving gravel trains bu getting hours thought id give otr a try.
     
  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Cool... got a hazmat endorsement? We don't pull anything nasty, but its good for a load out of some of the slow areas. Pays well too.

    Sorry about the grey dog experience!

    Health insurance is ok. Nothing spectacular, nor is it especially expensive. Do get the 90-day gap insurance, and then its onto BCBS of MO. $50 copay, 30% share on ER and urgent care. They have a dental policy as well... no waiting to add it on. You can turn that on and off at will.
     
  11. squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
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    yep just got the hazmat it's nice to have, makes compaines a little more intrested. whats the insurence cost a week? do they have optical insurence too?
     
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