Prime Inc driver thread

No I don't have my CDL yet. I was looking to go through Prime's training to get it. I was approved for training through Swift even though they are aware of the tickets just as Prime is. I really want Prime but I have some back up plans in place as well.

 

You might find that if you go in and speak to the officer and be straight up, admit fault, tell him you're looking to change careers, etc, he/she may be able to help you out. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you can get that ticket taken care of buddy.

Question for current Prime drivers: I am reporting for orientation on Wednesday. I am assigned as a "C" seat, as I got my CDL last week. Most of the people I've spoken are "D" seats. Could someone please tell me how my experience will differ from the rest of the folks going to orientation?

 

You'll go through the basic orientation stuff that everyone else does (I think that includes the simulator these days) - if you clear the hoops, there will be the standard bunch of classes that the D-seaters (CDL students) get once they come back from CDL instruction - then at the end of the week, you'll get hooked up with a trainer.

 

Thanks very much.

Do you know the answer to my Canada question? Do flatbed guys run up there often?

 

I really don't know...

 

I find it hard to believe that in this day and age Prime can't come up with a way to compute actual miles on any given trip just like the ever growing number of other companies do. The short route nonsense is just bad business. First, they cheat themselves out of extra revenue, and then they cheat the drivers by paying them for substantially less miles than they actually drive. The only possible reason I can come up with as for why they stick with the HHG is competition. With a lot of companies switching to practical miles, Prime automatically quotes a better price because its based on less miles. Sorry, but I just don't buy the can't find a way to compute the miles excuse.

Construction detours? Really? How many extra miles do you drive in a year for construction delays? Unless you are talking about something major, like when the stretch of I-40 was closed, as far as I'm concerned its incidental and irrelevant. And for the reroute around the I-40 closure, my GPS worked just fine at figuring the mileage. Any major detours, call your FM.

You are right about calling if you end up with something way out of line. I had one trip that paid me for 363 miles and it ended up being 482. Thats using the routing I was given which I always do. And after the first year when I asked my FM about the subject, he said he would leave it up to me. Any time I ended up driving more miles than I was getting paid for I could send him a message and he would make the correction. He's a smart guy. I haven't called him one time about getting paid for more miles and I'm not going to. I'm here to represent the company in the best possible way and get the job done, not call in whining because I didn't get paid for enough miles. Instead I'll go on a message board and whine about it!

Lets pretend its my company for a day. The HHG stuff is the first thing gone. And more than anything it would be for perception purposes. The last thing I want to do is have some ridiculous policy in place that creates a bad attitude. Ask any company driver what he thinks about driving 8% more miles than he gets paid for. With the many options available to go elsewhere and get paid for the miles you drive, its a no brainer. I just made the drivers a lot happier and I created more revenue for the company.

On the other hand, if my theory is correct, and Prime stays with HHG so they are charging for less miles than the competition, thats fine. Stay with the HHG for the customer. But for the drivers, pay them for the miles they drive, period. Lower the mileage pay by 8% to make up for the difference. Obviously the pay would be the same as it is now for the drivers in the end, but at least they would not have the perception that they are being cheated. Any chance I get to remove a reason that could increase the turnover rate, I'm doing it, especially if it doesn't cost me any money.

 

Fingers and toes crossed for you bud

 

Thanks! I appreciate that.

 

Hey Sazook, read through some of your posts and a couple others,and alot of split answers and hoping I can get this all in one pop instead.My brother used to work with Prime..based out of the main terminal in Springfield,MO..he said it would be a great company to start with,and my first question was answered about all the locations of Prime to go to as far as orientation/training in your post..and it seems SLC,UT is the closest to me,but my brother didn't mention these other locations,is Springfield the main terminal they do the main testing for a CDL and start driving..or can we chose a closer location.He said they start by sending you a ticket to fly out to the Prime location and start from there.From the gecko..after they fly you in to the company,what happens from there on?I don't have my CDL yet...I will guarantee my background/driving record is clean,but what am I expecting once I get there and start staying at the hotel they provide?
Thanks,I would appreciate it,or anyone who can give me a heads up.By the way I had seen a Prime trucker drive through So.Phoenix last week.