Prime: Orientation and Training?

I just finally got out of orientation yesterday, after a long three days!!! The worst of the three days was watching the Maintenance Video ( an hour and 45 minture pre trip video).
So far from what I've seen and heard from other drivers, Prime doesn't mess around as far as taking care of their drivers. Every driver I've talked to have enjoyed working for Prime, and even with the current economic problems, they are making money.
As for me, I'm now sitting in a 2010 Peterbilt Ultra light truck (which sucks due to being small, and no space to put anything), and waiting on a load. I had a load last night, but since a new truck, it needed a new Qualcomm installed and downloaded.
I guess we'll see how this truck does when it's pulling 49,500 in the box.

 

Yeah, that maintenance video is BRUTAL!

Glad you got done with everything, but sorry to hear you got the lightweight Pete. My truck is due to be turned in the end of March, and I've resided to the fact I'll end up getting stuffed into one of those. Doesn't seem right to me, but with the crap economy we're in companies gotta do what they gotta do.

Do you have an APU in that thing?

 

Unfortunately, the light weights do not have an APU system.

 

Does it have duals or is it one of the wide singles? I listened to the Dec training meeting and they were talking about them. They believe that by reducing the weight, it will help the company get more business by allowing them to haul a larger load then the competitors. Makes sense from that stand point, but not so good for the driver.

 

Yeah the ones I've seen have super singles on them. I guess it makes sense. I know a few shippers that will load the trailers as heavy as possible...but it just seems like something else is going on besides weight / fuel. I haul maybe 2 loads a month that are near the max for my truck (around 45k pounds). There's got to be something more going on here. Something just doesn't smell right about all of this...

I'll reluctantly take the truck if a lightweight is given to me (after I try to fight it), but my fear is when this economy turns around and other companies start offering sign on bonuses in the thousands of dollars like they traditionally have...what will happen to all the solo company drivers at Prime? I think Prime is setting themselves up for a disaster of a turnover rate if they continue this. Is that part of their plan?

It's really a shame too, because I'm really happy with Prime. When this economy improves, the only reason I'll be tempted to leave is if they give me one of those trucks. I really, really don't want it to come to that, seeing as though I'm happy with everything else. As most drivers who have been around for a while are well aware, usually the grass is no greener somewhere else.

 

You need a lot of space?

I havent had a closer look, but it doesnt look all that bad. The APU deal concerns me a little.

Become a trainer.... make sure you are training someone when it comes time to turn in your truck. I was told by my FM that Company trainers would not be put in the smaller truck.

 

A lot of space? I wouldn't call what we already have a lot of space.

But I know what you're saying. I didn't enter this career to have a lot of space. I wouldn't say I need much, but some sacrafices will have to be made. I save a ton of money by preparing meals and eating out of the truck, so my cooler, microwave, and all the food I keep on here will be enough to fill up that little sleeper. I didn't see much storage room at all in the sleeper. Not sure where I'll keep my bread, fruit, tuna, etc. I'll probably get rid of my TV and Xbox and put that stuff where the TV is supposed to go. My cooler will probably need to go where the passenger seat would normally be and my microwave will probably need to be off the truck completely. Just cold food for me. I hate spending the money at truck stops or eating fast food whenever possible. Will need to cut down on the amount of clothes I have on here. My printer / scanner will go. Just things like that. Sure, I can keep the essentials with me no problem, but I've gotten used to having a few entertainment items on the truck...like my Xbox. Heck, even my shower bag will be a chore. I usually keep it on the top bunk. I suppose it'll go on top of my cooler now in the passenger seat area?

Eh, I'll figure it out. I'm going into the terminal tomorrow night to get some repairs done on my truck. On Monday, I'll swing by success leasing and see if they will give me the keys to one so I can take a peak inside. Then I'll know exactly what needs to be off my truck. I have about 9 weeks left in my current truck. Been having a lot of problems with it, so they may get me a new one sooner...who knows. But my time is comin'.

...oh, and I have no desire to lease, team, or train. I do commend you for training, U2, and I know you make a good one. That's just not my cup of tea. I'm not going to let this deal pressure me into doing something I'm not 100% committed to, especially when it comes to training.

 

What exactly is the percentage of company drivers to the fleet?

How reliable is this new service we are offering to our customers... Two problems... availability of light weight trucks and light weight trailers... individually or connected.

Are we all (company drivers) going to be dedicated? What if a customer has a "heavy" load, and there are none of these company trucks are in the area? Maybe there is, but the truck isnt connected to a light weight trailer...

Ive been in a few situations where Prime drivers (lease and company) show up "en masse" and deliver "en masse"... are these the situations mgmnt is thinking about... and what sort of logistics will it take to get these light weight trucks hooked to light weight trailers for these situations... and be in the area for that matter.

Sobee drinks from Indy to the caves in Springfield come to my mind, as an example. I loaded with about a dozen other trucks. At the 90 I parked next to 20 other Prime trucks. Told security I had a 1100 appt. He told me that he had 30 Prime trucks with 1100 appts all from Indy... first come first serve. Fortunantly they were really fast unloading.

Potato runs from NC to Frito Lay in CT is another. Company drivers from Pittston handled the bulk of that with lease and other company guys filling in here and there. The guys I talked to had been doing it for a week... and DH back to NC empty to do it all over again.

Poland Springs in Maine... did that over Christmas... Told it was a new lane for that location... Only truck in a door with a reefer on the trailer. I was almost 80k gross loaded. (30+miles to scale, but thats a different complaint) Watched a dry van driver get told "Tough Luck" when he complained it was too much weight just by looking at his bills... Poland said his company agreed in contract to haul X amount and they loaded him with X amount. Comeback with a scale ticket if he was overweight and then they would discuss it.

 

I've been wondering about regional / dedicated myself and am wondering if this is the long term plan. I have spoken to a couple drivers in the lightweights with dedicated runs. One guy only ran Yoplait out of Reed City. He lived there and got home several times per week. Another guy I saw at the SLC yard said he ran SLC to LA and back...that's it. Not sure exactly what customer he was pullin' for. So there does seem to be a bit of an increase in dedicated runs for company drivers. But it sounds to me like most of the people getting those lightweight trucks are still staying OTR. I think there is more of a long term plan going on that just hasn't been discussed with the drivers yet. Because like you are saying, the logistics doesn't seem to make sense right now.

 

When the weather is good, I wouldnt mind something dedicated like what Im doing this week...

Fishsticks from Trident Seafood in Anacortes, WA to Conagra in Council Bluffs IA... now Motor Oil from Omaha, NE to Hermiston OR.

Something similar like that... out and back to my home area....its 3260 total dispatched.

I dont delivery till Tuesday morning because of the appointment, so I am taking a 34 at the Truckstop/Casino 30 miles from the 90.

I picked up the sticks last Monday, and will be near Hermiston on Sunday... so 7 days... with a couple hours left on my 70.