Mydartswinger.
1st of all let me say that I AM a company driver for Prime.
So I will tell you what I know, not going to blow smoke up your butt or brag on Prime.
To begin with you will spend Tuesday through Friday at the Prime facility (Campus Inn) getting all your paperwork done and your cdl permit if you don't have it. I would recommend that you get your permit prior to going, less stressfull.
On Friday you will be assigned a PSD instructor who you will ride/drive with for 10,000 miles, during this time you will be paid an ADVANCE of 200.00 per week which you will have to pay back at 25.00 per week later. This period normally takes 3-4 weeks, during which time you learn how to handle the truck enough to get your cdl.
After the 10,000 miles you are returned to Springfield to test out and get your cdl.
Once your cdl is obtained you will be assigned to a TNT trainer for 30,000 miles. This may be the same person you did your PSD training with or not. Kinda up to you in most cases. During this time you will be paid either .12 cpm OR 600.00 per week, which ever is greater. most cases its the 600.00 per week.
During the 30,000 miles you gain experience in driving and learn how to do the things that the company requires, paperwork, QualCom, etc. After the 30,000 miles and with your trainers endorsement you are then upgraded to your own truck.
Just to be clear, if you run in the Reefer division it will be a Lightweight, Flatbed Division was getting full size condo's but I have started to see some Lightweight's (LW) there also.
Once you are upgraded you will be paid basically .34 cpm + .05 cpm (for driving a LW) and then fuel bonus. This is your gross pay weekly. Included in the .34 is the per diem pay also. But in a nutshell its .34 cpm
Con's - The Lightweights are probably the biggest issue's most have. While we can haul heavier loads in them, you do not have a full sized bunk area, basically a bunk and overhead cabinets. Most pull the passenger seat and install the refrig there as well as the microwave. Speed is another Con. We are governed at 57 MPH on the pedal and 62 mph on the cruise, so everyone passes us, and we must maintain a 7.25 mpg rating, anything above that and we are paid a fuel bonus.
Pro's - Well I get home every 3-4 weeks, pretty close to when I want to be home, I normally wind up Bobtailing home 200 miles as I live in NV and I drop my trailer in CA. Prime has done everything they have said they were going to do, so I guess that is a Pro. I was not promised the stars and like you I did my homework.

Hope this helps you and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

Whatever you decide, don't make your decision based upon whatever company is close to you.

You can go with any company you wish and they don't have to be anywhere near you. As long as their freight lanes go by your house and you are in their hiring area then you will be fine. So with that being said try picking a company or base your career decision on other more important criteria. If having a pet is one of those criteria then search all companies with a pet policy. Also you mentioned having your wife ride with you. Make sure the companies you look at have a rider policy. Another thing to ask when asking that question is "when" you are allowed to have a rider. Most companies only allow riders during the summer months.

I personally would highly suggest you and your wife do this together. Both of you get your license and drive team. You guys would have the opportunity to make a lot of money! My wife and I drove team for many years I can tell you that making over $200,000 is easily obtainable! We also had a dog in which we took with us and we just stayed out there. Had no reason to really come home, actually ended up selling our home after I made sure she would like it. We loved it. Every penny we made went into the bank because we had no home or utility expenses or any other bills other than what we were doing on the road. I highly recommend it!