Wannabe trucker concerned about entering prime

Although I have no personal experience with Prime and I feel like they disrespected my experience, I still think you could do much worse for a choice as a new driver. It appears they have an above average training program for a starter company.

They loan you money and/or pay expenses during training. They then take out this money and training costs weekly after you start driving. If you stay long enough they give you back the training money through weekly payments.

I can't tell you what is right or wrong or what you should do. I can tell you what I would do in your position. If you haven't given information about a family doctor on your application already, I would not tell them about either thing you bring up. If asked about a family doctor I would tell them I did not have one.

This could bite you but telling them about it could too. You have to decide what is best and make it happen. Good luck and best wishes for a happy and prosperious driving career.

 

Really? Thats the biggest lie Ive seen around here yet. Reality is that those guys are presenting an opinion.

Why not ask the guys that actually work there...

There are quite a few around here right now going through training also.

 

Metalhed, my husband was a mechanic. Now, most people try to tell me that a mechanic makes decent money. I just look at them and shake my head. Sure, they make above the poverty line. They make above minimum wage, most of the time. My husband had been a professional mechanic for 27 years, first for the army, then on cars at various venues. The most he ever made was about $35k. Most of the time in the last 12 years it was low 30s. He's been working on cars for 36 years. He knows his way around cars, inside and out.

He has been unhappy as a mechanic for the last few years, but didn't want to rock the boat. Even though paychecks were low, at least he was getting paid. But working for an independent shop means no benefits. We have 2 children (assuming you don't count hubby himself), one of whom is a gymnast. At the point we had to self-pay for 4 sprained/1 broken ankle in 14 months, he tried getting on at a corporate (dealership) shop, literally for the benefits. But while he is qualified, the lack of bay space is an issue. He was told as soon as it opened up he was in. It never opened up. During this time, he was getting more and more disenchanted with the business practices of the man he was working for. Push came to shove, he stood his ground and was told to walk for his trouble. Add that to the fact that in this economy where people don't know if they are going to have a job tomorrow, never mind next week, non-critical repairs are going on the back burner. Or, they take the car in, find out what's wrong, and get their buddy to fix it in their garage for the cost of a couple of beers and parts. Hell of a lot cheaper than the $90/hour plus parts the shop charges in labor. I'm not knocking (most of) the owners, they have overhead. But so does the mechanic. His family has to eat, and pay their bills.

10 weeks later, he is out on his first load with his trainer, at Prime, out of Springfield. He did go the route of getting training and his CDL at Roadmaster first. That helped his confidence remarkably.

I'm not telling you where to get your training. Only you can make that decision. If you feel being an OTR trucker will benefit you, then go for it. My suggestion is to question the recruiter closely as to what will and will not disqualify you before you consider making the trip to SLC.

Good luck, and Godspeed.

 

That's fair, I'de agree. Point is, know the good and the bad. You could be a success or not, but don't bite off more than you can chew.

I know it's not over-the-road, but right now the oilfield is going really strong. Companies are training drivers and specialized equipment operators in that career. Pretty much the same deal as the over the road side, but it's expanding FAST. It's probably where the strongest pay and benefits are now. Worth a look..

 

With no personal experiance at Prime, you cant acuratley give information.

Why do people feel just because they heard something, that they know something?

As a student under permit instruction Prime provides a $200 loan per week for expenses while out with the instructor. It is paid back, interest free, at $25 per week. Student can take as little or all of the $200 per week and is only responsible for the amount taken.

There are no training refunds/reimbursements later. However, if the person leaves after 6 months, 1/2 of training cost is charged... leave after 1 year the training is free.

After the student passes and recieves their CDL, they are officially hired to Prime. From here they are trainees, paid a salary of $600/week or .12/mile, whichever is greater. This amount is garaunteed each week of training as long as the trainee is available for dispatch the 7 days for that pay week. If on a hometime week, no gaurantee, only the miles are paid that week. Training is team miles... The recruiter can tell you the current training miles requirement as it has recently changed.

Yes, they offer a lease program... No, you are not forced to lease. I have been a company driver for over 3 years now... I have only been asked once, and that was at the end of my training when I was assigned my truck.

There are plenty of people around here who are current and former employees. There are alot of guys in the Prime section who are going thru training right now. Do your own research, ask your own questions, MAKE YOUR OWN decision.

Id really like to know the employment status with Prime of these people on this thread giving you advice. I dont mind former employees talking trash, but some of you sound like you are running your mouths on truck stop rumor info.

 

The biggest variable in all this is you. You can easily make 35 to 45k by the end of your first year, but most new drivers don't last that long.

Are you comfortable in your own skin, alone and thousands of miles away from home?

How well do you handle stress and adversity? In an typical work environment, there's someone nearby to help you out. Usually not the case when OTR.

How important is contact with friends and family? Can you go weeks or months without seeing them?

It's a bit of a gypsy lifestyle out here, and most new drivers find they don't enjoy it. But many do. All depends on you.

 

BTW, if you do not have a CDL... all of your training will be out of the Springfield Terminal.

They will try to pair you up with someone from your home area, but its not garaunteed. However, it wont make getting hometime harder, plus alot of team freight (training) runs thru SLC

After you are done training, there will be no problem having the SLC terminal as your home terminal.