Application rejected by Prime

Actually these forums are to discuss the good and THE BAD about each company. In case you failed to notice, this is the actual introduction message to this sub-forum:

[h=1]Trucker Forum: Trucking Company DAC Reports[/h]Submit Your DAC Report on Trucking Companies. Were they good or bad when you drove for them?

 

Yes, I have. They contacted me the very next day, in fact. They noticed my gap in employment, and went the extra step to ask me why I was unemployed, and asked me to verify that I was telling the truth by giving them 2 or 3 references. Small acts of effort like that can go a LONG way with a new recruit like me, and in this case it was probably that little bit of extra effort that has convinced me to change my mind.

The recruiter is basically the first-impression you get of a company, and the difference between Prime's and Central's recruiter was like NIGHT and DAY. The recruiter from Prime was very short and direct, almost to the point of being rude. I got the impression that the guy simply didn't like his job. He told me he was happy to answer any questions I had, but it was clear that he wanted to get off the phone as soon as possible. When I did ask a question, most of his answers had a condescending tone. When a new driver asks a recruiter how many miles new drivers can expect to average, thats a serious economical matter that's extremely important when starting a new career, yet the answer I got was "Thats entirely up to you". WTF kind of response is that? For one, it's not up to me. It's up to the company, and mostly my driver-manager (dispatcher). For two, my job is to put the pedal to the medal whenever I'm asked to do it, and develiver on time. It is the companies job is to line me with those jobs, and evaluate how safely and effectively I do it. If they leave me sitting in a parking lot or hotel with no work, that's not the driver's fault.

The recruiter from Central was almost the exact opposite. Her attitude was super-positive, and she provided answers that didn't make me feel stupid or belittled. I didn't feel rushed into making any decisions, and she even went OUT OF HER WAY to warn me that trucking isn't for everybody. She made sure that I knew what I was getting into, and she stressed the fact that you only get one day off for each week worked. I like it when a recruiter has the balls to warn me about the life, because it shows me that they aren't being desperate, and they don't want to waste their time and money training someone who will eventually quit or get fired.

By the way, FFE also called me back, and they also asked me for references to verify my unemployment. The recruiter wasn't as nice as Centrals, but way more hospitable than Prime's. As for me right now, the battle is between FFE and Central. I'm currently talking to drivers and trainers from both companies, and I'll probably make my decisions based on their responses. If Prime happened to call me back in the next 48hours, I would definitely re-consider them. I think they have a top-notch training program compared to other starter companies, and their pay is really competitive. I mostly blame Prime's recruiter for the lack of effort, not the entire company. But like i said, it's the recruiter that makes the first impression, so Prime should remember that for future recruits. If I see any of you Prime drivers on the road, I'll definitely give you a honk and a thumbs up, and I'll have the comfort of knowing you guys know what you're doing behind the wheel. The first time I get behind a Swift or C.R. England truck, I'm going to have a tight grip on that wheel and cross all my toes! lol!