New to Prime INC - What to expect (Springfield edition)

Yeah Prime is a good spot. In the 2 weeks I've been here I haven't ran into a driver that wasn't respectful. The miles are here, and the equipment is nice (from what I've seen) I have no regrets coming here at all.

 

Two weeks, you've been here as long as I have. Were you PSD or did you come with a CDL already?

 

I came with a cdl. I took a few months off the road and I didn't have enough experience to go straight into my own truck. 30k team miles. Small price to pay to be happy out here.

 

I'm wrapping up my first year. Contract is up in less than 2 weeks. You know what? I'm not going anywhere. In fact I'm going to be heading back to SpriMo in the not too distant future to trade in my lightweight International for a condo and start instructing PSDs. I don't regret for an instant coming to Prime to start this career. It's been well over 10 years since I was this happy in a job and I have never, ever made this kind of money. Y'all made a great decision coming here. Relax and enjoy it, it's a hell of a ride.

 

I don't know how much money I'm going to make, I hear not much as a new company driver. But, as much as I need to make money right now, I don't think about it much. I just want to be a good, safe, respected, truck driver. I want to be a professional trucker. I think the money will come when I accomplish that goal.

 

Oh, Lord help us.! He's gonna become an instructor/trainer! LOL

From new guy whom nearly threw in the towel how many times.....?, to the accomplished guy I see loving it now........my, how things change. I've loved watching your trials & tribulation, all the way through to today. It was your attitude, determination & willingness to listen that made it happen. You didn't quite see it at that time, but I do know it is all clear to you now. Never, ever forget what that was like.

Glad to hear your thinking of giving back & paying it forward. You, of all folks, will have a lot to offer new guys from the perspective of what you went through. Just never forget what it was like & what was going on in your head at that time. It does get easier to forget that as time goes on.

Changing lives! Nothing can match that feeling you get when you've helped change someone's life in a major way that REALLY wants it, &/or desperately needs it. Especially the ones that are starting early at a young age. To be able to get them off on the right foot in the right way, then watch them go on to succeed is priceless. Then, you have the older guys, like myself, that are coming to do something they always wanted to do all their lives, but for life's twists & turns. Or, have limited options now due to age. Many, regardless of age, are in difficult life positions where it is critical that this works out. Never forget that you may be playing a lot larger part in their lives than you may even realize.

Thank you for considering giving back, and as always I wish you the best.

I only ask one favor. If you ever come off dedicated & go back OTR, please give me the heads up so I can at least keep one state of separation between our rigs on the road. At least I know where your at now, and where to be more cautious! LOL!

PEACE Bro!

 

Once you get through with training, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I came into this industry and company expecting to have a couple of lean years at the beginning. This was after 13 years in retail management and earning a respectable annual amount in the mid $30k range annually. At the end of this year, my first full calendar year solo, I will beat my best year in retail by over $20k. My numbers are probably a little better than average because of where I am (dedicated) and how I run (I hustle for every extra run I can grab), but if you prove yourself with on time, safe deliveries, you'll make good money. Right now the folks in Shelbyville are mad at my dispatcher because instead of coming straight back to the yard from the house, I've been taking a bunch of regional runs all week. That's a huge compliment in my eyes and I am humbled by it. As FMJ mentioned I had a rough go of it at the start, so I pay special attention to the newbie threads. Glad you are sticking it out. Just keep that focus and determination that you have already shown and you will do well.

 

Thanks FMJ. You were one of the folks here whose words helped me keep focus when it was getting really hard to do so. I doubt I'll come off of dedicated for more than a short period of time*. Being dedicated is the main reason I want to instruct. I wish I could have gotten an experience like this during PSD. Bumping docks 4-10 times a night. Driving all manner of roads from main highways to lots of city streets to backwoods cow paths that are no wider than the truck and barely paved. It is definitely driving and not just holding a steering wheel. I love it.

*You mentioned changing lives, the only time I see myself coming off this account is for a friend of mine. We've known each other about 15 years and he is my age (mid-late 30s). He has never done that well financially and has always loved the idea of driving a truck. I'm working on convincing him (more accurately convincing his woman) that the short term sacrifices are far outweighed by the long term benefits. I want to see him finally have a good shot at financial stability and also a job he would love. Him I would take out on TnT so that I could see his process all the way through. Otherwise I will keep my happy butt at Shelbyville instructing PSDs.

 

Feels! Imma cry. Lmao