ask your questions about prime inc here

The do a catastrophic accident policy that is real cheap at first - $5 per week I think. I'd say its a must because of the nature of our profession. BCBS of Missouri after 180 days after hire as a company driver - pretty reasonable deal with the usual copays, etc. Dental has no waiting, and can be turned on and off as necessary. I believe I'm running about $50 a week now for the whole shebang.

For lease ops, they do have insurance, but it's pretty expensive. If I make the plunge, I'd be looking at OOIDA - I believe they have a group policy you can buy into.

 

Thanks Ironpony, didnt see anywhere on the website the pricing info. Set up to go to Springfield Jun 16 if app gets approved. You and u2 have been a big help with all the info you have posted on here.

 

There is a two tier Health Insurance... Anthem/Blue Cross, I think... the difference is the premiums... of course the higher premium you pay, the better coverage and less co-pay amounts.

Dental is available, same with Life Insurance... Ironpony is right about it being 50 dollars a week for all 3... BUT that is only after the first year....

At my 1 year mark (I have the top tier medical) my medical premium went from 60 something per week to 40 something. Basically, Prime pays more of the share after one year... it doesnt continue to go down for each year, but its an extra 20 bucks in your pocket per week.

I think the Dental and Life Insurance premiums stay the same.

You can apply 90 days from your hire date (for CDL students its the day you get your full CDL Liscense)... If you dont do it at the 90 days... you have to wait until the next "window" at what I think is 3 months.

 

Thanks for the info U2

 

I was wondering if Prime pays Practical Miles or HHG?

 

Company side gets paid all deadhead and loaded miles based on HHG; commonly paid extras include stop pay and layover. Lease-ops and owner ops are paid 72% of the linehaul revenue and 100% of the fuel surcharge for each load, stop pay, layover (not so much with the new layover policy those guys get, I've heard,) detention, etc. Practical miles vs HHG is a company driver issue, unless you're being paid via the number of miles driven as a lease operator - which in my opinion is a good way to starve.

The way this industry works, I really don't think that anyone gets paid "more" if you go with a company solely based on being paid via "practical miles." Chances are you're not going to get as many miles per week to be paid "more" for. It's a bait-and-switch tactic - kind of like what the cellphone salesmen use... you've heard it - the "unlimited minutes" offers. Works fine as long as you're a mile from the only cell tower in the county!

The difference in mileage seems to run around 15%, so on a 500-mile load that's 75 more miles (it usually works out to HHG being less, but I've seen it the other way as well,) and at say 35 cents-per-mile (for example) you're making an additional $26.25 on that particular load. BFD. You should really look at other things besides this when choosing a company to drive for. Like whether they treat their drivers as slaves.

 

Thanks Ironpony. I should have stated that I am going Company Driver with Prime, going through CDL Training and all. I am in the June 30th orientation class. As for looking at other things about the company, I definitely have. I have heard great things about Prime Inc, many drivers seem happy with them. The pay is good for a young single guy like me with minimal bills to pay, and I love the long training period, always a good thing. Look forward to ditching the retail world and hitting the road.

 

I'm suppose to start with Prime on Tuesday to be a company driver...what can I expect from Prime???

 

Well... I like the company. Good equipment, well maintained (intiated by you) and reasonable costs are approved quickly. Treatment of employees is good, although your mileage may vary here - my experience has been good.

The miles have been better, but that's a feature of the industry everywhere. They don't apprieciate late loads, tickets, accidents - pealing a trailer roof back probably won't get you any accolades! Get your loads picked up and delivered on time - safely and legally, meet the company fuel mileage requirements - will get you everywhere here.

What in particular would you like to know?

 

Hey U2 or IronPony, How much driving time or practice time do we get when we are out with our instructor the first 4 weeks? Also, after you get your CDL, are you officially hired then?