Career Change and Advice

Training must be pretty thorough as well. I really can't recall any negative experiences with a Prime driver. Very well put together outfit, for what it is

 

Don't smoke any weed. All companies give either hair follicle or urine drug test. If you test positive, that'll delay your new career for several months.

 

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I got my start at Prime in 2022 as a company driver and no regrets. They kept me moving and the checks were pretty good for a rookie...they pay decent even when you're out with the trainer. Some people balk at the team training concept but it's temporary and you just push through it. I was ready when it was time to upgrade.

If you get your CDL through them you just have to do a year there and then you can go wherever.

 

It used to be common that flatbed paid more per mile than dry van, but drove fewer miles per week as the time spent securing, tarping, etc is significant. Also, flatbed often leaves a driver with terrible backing skills since so much of the freight is loaded/unloaded in an open yard. These days almost all newbies not only have terrible backing skills but their company and trainer just tell them avoid backing unless it's a life or death emergency, which keeps them terrible at backing. Over the years what I've learned about TMC is they prefer military vets or people that are "squared away" for various reasons. Being a "squared away" kind of driver I'm OK with that. Think off-duty Marine. Other people stay in the industry because they are the farthest thing away from a squared away personality. TMC also pulls a lot of heavy lumber loads which mean tarping/de-tarping in all weather and winds. I don't know if those things are still true. I don't know if TMC has APUs on their trucks or allows extensive running the engine to provide air conditioning when sleeping. Personally, if I was still in trucking, I would not work for a company that didn't have APU equipped trucks. My sleep is more important that almost anything else if you want me to drive all day, every day. APU is an external diesel powered HVAC/electricity generator used when the truck engine is not running, like when stopped overnight.

TMC hires a lot of new guys. They sure have nice trucks. If you want to do flatbed and have no permanent attachment to CT, I'd recommend you look at COTC or Central Oregon Trucking Company. I worked out West my last few years before retiring in 2021. COTC (Cot-See) had nice equipment, drivers I met seemed happy and professional, and they said company was a pleasure to work for. They also have a done of Conestoga flatbed trailers which takes the hassle out of throwing tarps in 40 MPH winds. There are lifelong flatbedders on the forum, so if what I wrote is wrong, go with what they say, not me.

 

For the love of everything you value, find the company you want to work for BEFORE going to CDL school. Some of the companies that hire newbies have their own school. Half of trucking companies hiring newbies offer Tuition Reimbursement. Many trucking companies that hire newbies only accept them from certain schools. During your company research make the prospective company put you in contact with current working drivers doing the type of work (OTR, dedicated, regional, etc) you will be hired to do. Ask them to tell you what they earned last week, about the schedule, equipment, time off, and any details that may go toward giving you what you need. No company is going to change to fit you. You need to find what they do and see if it fits you. Ignore recruiter comments. They know the average pay on X account and average time off, etc. They don't have any idea about the real schedule, real pay, and other details of the job. They are used car salesmen. Their job is to "put meat in the seat." 80-90% of newbies entering trucking quit long before 1 year of experience, mostly because they don't know what they are walking into and they didn't bother to ask the right questions. Anyone can learn this job, but it's not like most other jobs.

 

My observation is that Prime drivers get the best training of the mega companies. They certainly have one of the longest "ride with trainer" periods in the industry. I never worked for Prime.

 

Most companies will let you switch trainers. Be advised, not every company has the same quality of trainers. Some "trainers" are just the driver with 6 months without an accident and willing to get paid more money to have a stranger learn to drive his truck. Some companies only use very experienced drivers as trainers.