Wannabe trucker concerned about entering prime

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Metalhed529, Jul 31, 2011.

  1. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Someone who entered the industry four or five years ago has no idea what the industry used to be before the rate cutting Mega-Companies came along and cut rates and wages and trashed it.:biggrin_25517: What has the PAST history of trucking have to do with the OP looking for a company to start with.

    Here is a NEWS FLASH , a lot of people today do not have the BUYING POWER doing the same jobs as back in the 60, 70, 80's not just truck drivers.

    1974 I made a whopping $0.13 / mile today as a driver I would need to make $0.74 / mile to have the same buying power , yes deregulation had an affect in 1984 but biggest thing is INFLATION.


     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2011
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  3. crankyazz

    crankyazz Light Load Member

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    Hey I just have to say this........ there is no polygraph in trucking.... unless they can prove it..... have to say lie....... the truth don't set you free, the truth keeps you out of jobs or screwed.... I have worked both sides, being a truck driver and in law enforcement..... if they can't prove it.... like medication. etc... keep that #### to your self.... as far as stuff that happened as a juvenile.... unless they are the military they will not find out... keep it to yourself... just my two cents
     
  4. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Enjoy living in the past.

    Frankly, it doesn't much matter today what you were doing in 1979 or 1987. Unless you have a wayback machine... don't forget to take along Mr. Peabody.

    The fact is we have to live and work in today. We have to deal with today's regulations, today's rates, today's traffic... and none of that even begins to resemble the world of 30 years ago. Heck, in 1987 they didn't even have trucks that resembled what we drive today.

    So quit kidding yourselves, and get with it.
     
  5. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    You are right about debating our opinions, my apologies. So we will continue to debate.

    Obviously neither one of us cares for the other and I apologize for trying to make peace in our last clash when I suggested there might be some common ground. How foolish could I be?




    Nobody is more against Socialism and what is going on in this country right now than me. Still that belongs in the political forum so I'll leave it at that.

    And please don't mistake under-bidding with trashing and trying to control freight rates.

    IMHO, the Mega-Companies are poor corporate players. They make their millions breaking the backs of those who do the work. They not only cut rates to gain market share but they cut driver and contractor pay to gain profit. Since you have never operated a truck in a time period when this wasn't the norm, it isn't your fault that you don't know any better.




    You keep missing the point on the hiring thing. It was my lack of recent experience that kept me from being hired. I don't fault them for that, as it is normal now although it didn't use to be.

    The fact that they won't take me with a CDL raises a question. The fact that they won't train me raises a question. The fact that they won't take me with a refresher raises a question. The fact that they won't take another driver with a CDL throws a red flag. Please don't debate only part of this.





    I am right about you signaling me out for a personal attack and everyone on this forum clearly saw your actions too. It is so apparent when someone says Prime is the number one worst company and you attack me for saying they are in the top ten worst.

    This certainly appears to be a chip to me. If it weren't you would have gone after the other poster that said Prime was the worst company. Maybe you can't see this but I'll bet many other readers do.

    I have far less problem with Prime not hiring me than I do with their business practices. I know you keep looking at the hiring thing and blaming that. I believe most of the forum members see the truth. I have been honest about the hiring thing although it has little weight on my opinion of Prime.

    In the short time I have be a member of this forum I am sure most people see me for what I am and my comrades will gladly judge me on my merits.




    Well you have opened this door twice, and you suggest that we should debate, so I'm going through it this time. Please post for us a quarter of pay statements to substantiate your 1.73 CPM revenue. Also share what type of trailer you pull so we can make a comparison. As a company cheerleader you would certainly wish to share something that will bring more owner/operators to such a great company.

    In addition, please share with us how much money you receive for a new hire that you bring to the company. It is only fair in the name of full disclosure that our forum readers understand your motivation and why you are so protective of the Prime questions and threads.

    For the record, my motivation for spending my time and energy posting here is to simply make sure that all new drivers are informed. I'm reasonably certain most members have seen enough of my posts to know my motivation. Since I have only ever suggested a new driver approach two companies and Prime is one, I believe the readers see my opinion as reasonably objective and based on the facts.


    On a final note, and an attempt to be honest, I'd like to admit that I wasn't aware that Prime had a percentage lease. Today I visited their website which I had last visited about three months ago. I don't know if I am confused or if they had mileage lease information on there three months ago. I know that is what I remember from the last visit and I know the website has changed. It was easier to navigate a couple of months ago. That is certainly a big plus as far as I am concerned.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2011
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  6. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    I don't have "a chip on my shoulder," nor do I have a problem with you. If you want to talk trash about Prime... go do it in the bad company folder. OTOH, folks who have never driven for or worked for Prime in any capacity regularily post about how bad conditions are at the company. How is it they know about that? ESP maybe??? Yeah, that must be it.

    When I reply to refute obvious distortions, I get nonsense thrown back at me. A recent example is that I, in fact. cannot have a valid opinion, because I'm not living in the world of 30 years ago. That seems to be a common refrain amoungst folks who don't like how trucking works TODAY.

    Dude... I apologize for the company that they didn't hire you. I don't have a problem with you, and I have no idea why they didn't. As for my statement regarding gross revenue, I'm afraid you'll have to take it at face value. I don't post personal financial records online due to both privacy and security concerns. Nor do I post exaggerations or distortions of what those records might contain.

    If you'll note, I also have take other respondents posts to task... so I certainly am not singling you out.

    Thanks for your response and interest in what I have to say. And yeah... the fact that they pay percentage plus fuel surcharge and accessorial payments is one of the things that attracted me as well. I really am enjoying driving much more since I quit chasing miles.
     
  7. Ranger70

    Ranger70 Light Load Member

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    Well said BigJohn, you are a class act. My guess is we won't. see any proof to substantiate that big revenue.
     
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  8. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    Ironpony maybe we can just agree to disagree. Then we could cut down our junk in the posts of those seeking advice. I guess we are debating Prime so it is somewhat on point. It's obvious we have different opinions. I will continue to post where I wish until Sam objects. I will continue to post both good and bad. That is called being objective.

    You only address what you want to. Please address the following:

    1) Why Prime won't hire drivers with a CDL and train them (not me),
    2) Why you debate a 10 (dislikes) when a 1 (hates) is handy,
    3) What you make for recruiting for Prime,
    4) What would you change about Prime (Post 48 from Zebcohobo), and
    5) Why you post in threads about a 1099 when you have no experience as a professional tax preparer (I do) and how this differs from me having not worked at Prime,


    I kept it short so you wouldn't miss the main points.
     
  9. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    I don't have a #### thing to prove to any of you... especially a less-than-one-year wannabe. In my life, my word is my bond - and if you can't understand what that and the word "honor" means, I pity you.

    My words stand.
     
  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    I address things as my time and interest allow... since you insist.

    They do hire drivers with CDLs and train them. I have no idea what the hiring policy of the company is... it seems my part as a driver doesn't require that knowledge. I know for a fact that they hire drivers with CDLs since I had one when I came to Prime, and they put me through training.

    You mean the twenty-something kid? That doesn't turn into debate - just a mud slinging match with no point because the kid has no argument worth debating. You on the other hand, post substantial thoughts... not just pointless invective.

    I don't recruit for Prime, nor do I solicit referalls. It is against the stated policy of this website (at least it has been in the past) to do so, and has resulted in some posters being banned. That being said, I respect the wishes of the site owners in this respect.

    a. Didn't like that they changed the bobtail policy for company drivers at the terminal. That makes it difficult for them to have a life outside of driving when in Springfield.

    b. I'd like to see the dispatch policy for ICs changed to provide a list of say three loads than the current take-it-or-leave-it policy.

    c. I think prospective lease-ops should be required to get more business education than is currently provided within the company. It seems to me that most of the folks who can't make it work don't understand how to run a business. OTOH, all carriers have to be careful about how much structure they apply to their IC programs because of IRS rules.

    ...that's what comes to mind.



    I'm an educated person, and have been doing my taxes - including as a business person for years. That gives me some familiarity with the tax code - including quite a bit of time investigating the IRS rules and regulations as they apply to my personal and business situation. It behooves me to understand the tax code as it applies to my situation (I'm and independent contractor) - and if nothing else, the discussion improves my understanding of the tax code. OTOH, when one posts about my carrier with no inside knowledge of how the company is operated, what the attitudes of the vast majority of drivers are (not just the loosers hanging out in truckstops) - basically that person is posting smack, and nothing more. Its easy to say that any carrier belongs on the "worst ten" list without knowledge of the facts of how a carrier operates, treats their drivers, etc. Its something else to have day-to-day experience with that carrier, and know that the reality of operating for them is quite different than the smack that is being posted.

    In regards to the company employee being issued a 1099 instead of a W2 - you're familiar with the fact that the IRS is coming down heavily on scam employers trying to pass off folks in employment situations as ICs rather than pay withholding, I take it?

    Thanks, I'm sure!
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2011
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  11. Ranger70

    Ranger70 Light Load Member

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    How do you know I am a wannabe if you have never met me? Based on what you have stated nobody can have an opinion on Prime if they haven't worked there, so how can you have an opinion on me having never met me? And please do not pity me.
     
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