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

Hi how is everyone? are there places to plug a laptop in and a phone charger? I was told that I could expect 2500 to 3000 miles a week, does that sound about right? is there a lot of difference in the cheaper health ins and the really high priced ins? I was wanting to do the flatbed but was told you have to buy all the equipment (tarps,chains,straps, etc.) for three thousand dollars. Im thinking maybe I should go reefer now any thoughts. I wanna make as much as I can and don't mind staying gone just trying to figure if usxpress or prime are my best bets and I keep thinking prime hands down, Are paychecks mostly right or will I have to constantly call about errors to get corrected? as company drivers do we have to pay all tolls and lumpers out of pocket and wait to get reimbursed?

 

What is the ""ACE orientation""?
What are the ""pass upgraded skills test"" after ACE and before getting solo?
I have a CDL/recent grad.
going Flatbed

 

Yes, all of our trucks are equipped with an APU and inverter.

Ballpark yearly average is right in that area for the folks running 48-state OTR on the reefer side. My average was just over 2800 for a couple of years. That's an average, mind you. There will be weeks below than, and weeks above that.

Yes, but I expect that it may change some in the next year because of health care reform. Another option you will have next year is to go to your home state's healthcare exchange for coverage. If you want details, you need to speak with recruiting.

They take the cost of required company equipment out in reasonable payments, that includes what you need for reefer or tanker fleets as well. You'll get your money back when you turn it in.

I've had very few errors on my settlement checks, and when I've pointed those errors out to either my Fleet Manager or payroll, they were corrected on the next settlement. It hasn't been a huge problem for me.

Well, yes... how else are you going to pay a cash toll at a toll booth that doesn't accept checks or credit cards? There is an advanced amount included with each dispatch that can be accessed without a fee when you fuel your truck. That advanced amount is expected to be used for tolls, scale tickets, minor parts- as necessary. If you don't need the money, you don't take it. Those advances come out of your next settlement check, so you have to turn in purchase orders for what you use that cash for to be properly reimbursed. If you do the paperwork correctly, turn in the receipts, and send the proper QualCom messages there isn't a problem. You will see those reimbursements on your next settlement too.

 

Thank you, I'm understanding now.

 

Way back in post #46, silenteagle wrote:

Do we have to buy these items out of our own pocket? The rest is piddly stuff, but snow chains can get expensive. Edit: I should clarify for those NOT reading from the beginning. These are items you'll need once you're completely done with training, and getting into your own truck. Don't worry about them until then.

 

It's around two hundred or so. It's been awhile since I bought chains... however a pair of wide-single chains cost me $88 three years ago through the company. That being said, you can arrange some payments with your FM to help lessen the impact.

 

Ouch! That's the first not-so-great thing I've heard about Prime. Won't stop me from signing up next summer, but still... While I've got you - and I know your first words and best advice will be "talk to a recruiter" - but do you know of any times when someone has jumped ahead a bit in training? I left trucking and gave up my CDL five years ago, so I know I have to do the official parts to get that back, but if I can prove I still retained my driving skills once I get behind the wheel, can the TnT or even PSD be cut short?

 

The "up front" money keeps the equipment from being sold/hocked at the truckstop. Just last week I heard some guy in Hinton OK on ch 19 trying to sell load locks. Keep those chains in the bags, and you'll get every dime back. If you don't need the time at the wheel, then yes it can be cut short. That's up to your instructor/trainer and your Fleet Manager.

 

Keep them in the bags? That makes it sound as if you have never needed to put them on. Is Prime that good at dispatching, or do you stay out of the great white north for six months? Granted, my previous experience was with CR England out of Salt Lake City, and running team, both of which would tend to predispose one to occasionally needing to chain up, but the idea of never needing them sounds like trucker's paradise to me. ... Thanks for the info on speeding up the training. We'll see how I shake out when the time comes.

 

Many folks don't end up chaining here. They'd rather that you sat it out than get in trouble beyond your abilities. There are others of us who don't think twice about pressing on when conditions aren't impossible as well. My chains are hung on a rack, and get used.