confused but sure

I look forward to hearing more from you. I am coming on with prime soon. I would like to lease at some point but plan on learning all I can on the company side first. I too am a product of the economy. I'll get into it someday in my own thread. I know I won't get rich driving truck but I know I can make a living. Good luck to ya maybe see you some day.

 

Welcome aboard! Unless you have some previous experience in the industry, though, I would recommend you drive company for your two year introduction at least, learn all you can, THEN get a lease. Read a lot of IronPony's posts... he started out company and is leasing now. I wish that option had been available to me when I started with Prime - years ago when there were NO company drivers at Prime!
Congratulations on doing your homework! There is a lot of trash talk about Prime on this forum, and you strained out the junk and found the gold.

 

It sounds like we're all in the same boat. I too am a product of today's economy. If I pass my cdl tomorrow I will be in pittston on the 4th.

 

I drive a truck because I WANT to drive a truck. Not because of the economy.

You'll read or have read tons of posts about leasing. I'm sure you did your homework before making any of these decisions. You went over the lease agreement with a fine toothed comb and have talked with other lease drivers from the same company.

I won't ever condemn a driver for making a decision that they feel is in their best interest. It's your life and your prerogative. The only thing I can do is be supportive and helpful in any way I can. There's plenty of boo-bears out there. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded individuals.

 

There are dispatch boards, and then there are DISPATCH BOARDS at Prime. You need to make your mark as a company driver, learn how to operate the truck efficiently, and THEN jump onto the lease side.

On the company side you can run anywhere from 2700 to 3200 miles per week, chasing the per-mile pay. On the lease side you are being paid by the trip... you get a pot of money, pay your expenses out of it, and the remainder is yours. See the difference? On the lease side its not about "miles," but containing costs.

$275 a week as a trainer? I'll tell you what his problem is. Look at the man's fuel bill... I'll bet it's astronomical! The average per mile fuel cost for lease drivers is 24.4cpm (the last I heard) - mine is 12.1cpm. For that average to work, someone is paying 36.5cpm or so - I'd be willing to bet that's the "trainer" you talked to. And that's where his profits are going - to the oil companies.

 

Don't get me wrong when I mention the economy. I always have wanted to drive truck but life'scommitment were in the way. The economy has caused me to look at life and at 42 decide what I want to do for the next 30 years. The answer is drive. Just wanted to clarify not to be snarky or defensive

 

IP you are a wealth of info. Thanks for the sharing I have learned a lot from you and never even met you. thanks

 

I too don't want my "economy" statement about driving a CMV to be taken out of context. I merely meant my financial position is a result of todays economy (less then half of what I use to make) is a motivator. My first job at 16 years old was working as a mechanics helper for Mayflower moving company, then the following 5 years in the service were all diesel related. When I came out of the service I landed in a different occupation(s)...some of them also behind the wheel of a CMV...that was in the 80's. I am currently employed and just want to get back to what I cut my teeth on....and just dam tired of working for a narcissist....short story, but true.