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My husband joined Prime the beginning of July, after graduating from NuWay. Of course, he was put in a truck with a trainer, which was totally expected. It was also totally expected that he not be home for a few weeks. What was NOT expected is the trainer playing with him. The day he went out with this guy, we were told (by the trainer) that he would be home the beginning of August. So, I made plans - took days off work to spend time with him, etc...The week before coming home time, they were in Vegas. There was a 2 day layover for the load. Because they had to wait 2 days, the trainer said that they were not coming home until the following week - totally screwed everything up at the last minute. Come the following week, the truck broke down (unexpected, but it happens). The trainer said that the only way to get home was for my husband to give him 1/2 money for a car rental - for the week. We are not getting the car for any time - just paying for 1/2 of it. My question is...Is this normal for Prime, or is the problem with the trainer? (There is more, but due to space constraints, I shortened it.) If anyone can provide insight, it would be much appreciated - I'm beginning to regret telling him to go with this company.
Thanks in advance.

 

That is a crap trainer IMO.

 

You did not say if the trainer was going to give your husband a ride in the rental car or what exactly did a car rental have to do with your husband getting home? How far is home from where the truck is broke down?

 

As far as the home time date being missed the first time, that is the nature of the beast. You can never count on home time requests being meet on the exact day requested, unless you own or lease your own truck.

Welcome to the OTR lifestyle.

 

The trainer was saying IMO that since all the hometime plans were busted, he'd rent a car and split the cost to get hubby home. I suppose its better than sitting and missing the whole deal. If it had been me, I'd have rented the car, covered the cost and offered the trainee the ride home - but that's me. Don't know what the trainers financial situation is, so it's hard for any of us to judge.

For the most part Prime has always been very good about honoring home time requests from where I sit - only late by one day once. Never had a maintenance problem get in the way though - that's a killer...

 

ahh the life of the otrs

 

I've only been late for hometime once in my four years, and even then I was given the option of deadheading from SC to Richmond and making it home on time, or taking a $3.00/mi load to Salem, VA and getting home a day late. I took the load needless to say, but if I had needed to be home I woulda deadheaded. My main problem with getting home seems to be getting a load to the Richmond area, only once did I get a load to the Richmond metro area (SuperValu in Mechanicsville), otherwise they range anywhere from Gordonsville (an hour away) to Salem (3 hours away) which isn't really all that bad when you consider it.

As far as the rental car, If I was going to rent it anyway to get home, I'd have given him a ride, but wouldn't have said no to a tank of gas.

 

They paid me to deadhead from North Platte NE to Denver for the Thanksgiving holiday a couple of years ago...

 

I wonder how much freight moves down I-10 through Louisiana?

 

This is no big deal. I understand you are 58, so picture yourself squatting down to get under the trailer to check 5th wheel, kingpin, brake lines and such. That is the duck walk (not actually doing it) but that is what they are looking at is the flexibility to bend down and get under the trailer. They actually have you squat down and move 2 steps and done. Good luck!!