Considering Prime, Sell me

Just curious about one thing:

When you say "getting screwed out of miles" do you mean from HHG or PC Miler calcs? Or actually being paid less than agreed? If it is the former, is that not the industry standard for figuring CPM pay? In such large companies, I'm sure there are also accounting errors, to be fair. This has been stated in these forums and the drivers concerned usually stated they mentioned it to their FM and it was made up for in the next check. And from what I get in these forums and speaking to Prime drivers you can do better than $40k even in your first year. So..... I am just about to enter school, and Prime looks good. So does Conway Truckload. Both apparently among the best starter companies out there. And you also mention "companies with waiting lists" well these are likely not starter companies. Really, who has "0% turnover" anyhow? That is just not possible.

I understand your point - there are better companies out there - if you are willing to do the legwork, are not a drooling slob, and have some skills.

But are you here to inform or blow your horn? Or both?

FB

 

We're not "mad" atcha! Nope... I'm laughing because you don't know squat about Prime.

 

Im with IP. Not the first one to come on here n tell us how the company WE work for, and THEY dont, operates.

 

Okay. So if not Prime, who is your recomendation for paid CDL training?

 

Pretty sure I never put you down personally for driving for Prime Inc. You have your opionion and I have mine about your company. From what Prime did to my mom when she worked for them was pretty sorry of Prime Inc.. Any company that fires a person for getting deathly ill and getting put in a hospital and couldn't deliver the load because of it is a pretty sorry ### company to work for. All the knowledge of Prime that I got was from the drivers thereself drivers just like you. It's not my fault there more of your company drivers had bad things to say then good things to say.

 

Well, I've had some bad instances with Prime, some the company's, and some mine. I am extremely happy with Prime. It doesn't matter what company you drive for, there always gonna be some negative experiences. All I know is I'm averaging about 3000 miles a week, and I have spoken with many other company drivers outside of Prime that are lucky to get 2k-2.5k a week. I met a driver the other day that had 14 years experience, he drives for a flatbed company out of Minnesota. He was sitting there bragging to me that he runs 2500 miles a week, stays out for 2-3 months at a time and gets paid a flat rate of 35cpm. I didn't have the heart to tell him I have 7 months experience, my avg miles, and the fact that I'm making a little less then 41cpm with my fuel bonus. If this keeps up, ill make over 50k for my 1'st year as a company driver. Not bad in my book.

 

That's awesome. Assume you're in a lightweight then? How you like it? You run to Cali much? Seems like most drivers hate the place, and I'm sure it has (mostly) to do with LA, but I live up north. Do you guys ever get freight that goes out to the 101, north of the bay area?

FB

 

No, I run a full-size condo, flatbed division. I run CA, NY, TX and every other place the company sends me. I don't care where I run, make the same amount of money anyways, although running up north is a little hard in the fuel mileage. I'm doing pretty good with this load though, 79k gross from western Montana to Minnesota now, and I'm averaging 8.3 MPG.

 

My recommendation is finding a state sponsored CDL program with a local company hauling local. I would not recommend a large carrier paid cdl program. My starting pay was $2000 bi-weekly spent 12 weeks with a trainer. Compared to Stevens, CR Endland, Swift, and Prime which i researched all four it was the better deal for me and $1,200 more bi-weekly than me going with them. When I got my CDL there was a company called Affiliated Foods which paid half and the state paid half. Because when you look at the major carriers there is a lot of competition within the company of thousands and thousands of drivers for loads and major carriers tend to not pay new drivers very well average was .23cpm back in 2007 with the carriers I listen above that's $690 a week with 3000 miles which there would be a good chance you couldnt get 3000 miles a week. I am no expert like OneRoadDreamer thinks I am. Just someone who does a lot of reading and researching on the trucking industry and companies.

 

That's great mileage. Flatbedding appeals to me the most. So you went for flatbed straight outta school? I'm in good shape and want to stay (reasonably) fit before I dive into The Lifestyle. Do your loads handle better with crosswinds? So many questions. Sell me! Sell me!

FB