Prime vs Earl pt 2

It sounds better than I hope you crash and burn......

 

Speaking of crash and burn,

ask how many new prime drivers see the 6 month mark.

That's a real eye-opener...........

 

I don't hate or even dislike Prime. They are in my top 5 of companies to apply to. I don't care about slow trucks, I barely crack 65 in my own car on the highway so the drop to 62 MPH won't keep me up at nights. The way I look at it, if I need that extra MPH to make my delivery on time then I did something wrong in my trip planning.

I have watched all the youtube video tours of their lightweight trucks and being a newbie and not knowing any different I don't see it being a problem. If I was used to a massive condo sleeper then I could see the downsizing being an issue. I do believe that we humans have a tendency to expand into the space we are given so I suspect that some of the complaints are due to drivers being used to having more stuff in their truck than they really need.

It's not all roses with Prime though, their apparent willingness to put drivers through sleep studies so they can sell them a CPAP is very off putting and I am not convinced I wouldn't walk if they tried to make me do a test.

 

I've. Been on the fence for 2 years , I was penciled in for October but decided I better get my dad situated in a assisted living facility and get his house sold before I go out on the road.

I could go now ,but now I am waiting for it to warm up a bit up north.

Sitting in a parking lot in the middle of February watching other drivers practice sounds really really cold to this Florida boy.

 

Yep the whole sleep study is a little over the top.

Definitely a big money grab that they are forcing on newbies.

 

The doctors determine if you need a sleep study, some of the factors are body mass index, neck size, and the airway in your throat/size of your tonsils. If you have sleep apnea than yes you need a cpap, if you're fat but don't have it don't worry they won't force it.

If you have sleep apnea that's extremely dangerous not only for yourself but the public. So no its not a money grab but something that can save your life and others.

I chose to come to prime after 3 yrs experience here's my complete unbiased review so far:

The people have all been decent and easy to get along with from my fleet manager to road assist. I never had to call them, everything is done over qualcomm except for live loaded calls. They reply to all my messages asap like within 5 minutes.

The equipment- yes I have the lightweight, they are small but comes with inverter and apu which are two huge pluses. They have good equipment and will not hesitate to get you fixed even if you're on the road. Had a week long breakdown due to DEF and a minor one where my hose got busted and leaked coolant, both times very pleased how fast they replied and got me got going.

Even though they're a mega when I was dealing face to face with Prime employees (orientation, at terminal etc) I always felt respected and treated nicely.

My fleet manager keeps me running, average length of trip has been 1100 miles, been averaging about 2800 miles a week so far.

Now biggest gripe I have, people say we're the slowest, I personally don't care about that, but thing I dislike the most is how the lightweights are severely underpowered. My loads are about 41k pounds and going up grades you'll be crawling up at sixth gear sometimes which can get hairy.

I can't speak for the sister companies but I don't regret coming to prime.

 

I am fine with a doctor determining if I have sleep apnea or if I even need a study, but I want it to be my personal doctor that refers me, not a stranger employed by a trucking company with CPAP machines for sale.

I mean if it is such a life threatening condition I would want to be sure I am getting the best possible treatment, wouldn't I?.