Constantin Levinte of PrimeTime Trucking

I’m not one to tell anyone to stay away from a company. But if you want more information about Levinte Trucking or PrimeTime Trucking out of Barrington, IL, this is my take:

It is an Eastern European company that preys on unsuspecting drivers who in many ways have to sign away any rights they have before their first load. The contract contains fees ranging from false log entry (i.e. as minor as driving a few miles on PC) to late appt arrivals.

There also seems to be some confusion among the team on who gets detention and who doesn’t. Zina (accounting) told me that detention is guaranteed. Sam (dispatch) told me isn’t.

Rules are based on their mood, not policy.

Constatin Levinte does not believe that honesty is a virtue. He will say whatever he needs to say to get you into a truck then completely change your verbal agreement after you sign the dotted line. Everything from payday dates, escrow amount, equipment and weekly miles all changed as soon as I stepped into his ‘yard.’

His staff, Sam, Erica and Zina will religiously back up his dishonest tendencies therefore not finding any support when you feel lied to.

Safety (Erica) has passable knowledge on DOT practices and procedures. But doesn’t realize that some DOT rules are no longer required (such as filling out a pre-inspection report). So, to her, it is important to hire drivers who are naive to DOT rules so that she can manipulate you. She kinda likes to pull your strings a little bit so don’t get too personal. She’ll use your vulnerabilities against you.

Dispatch (Sam) can be very cordial at times (referring to me as ‘brother’) but as soon as he is called after business hours (for lumper pay, detention info, etc.) his term of endearment subsides and you’re pretty much being lectured about how stupid you are, that is if he answers the phone at all. And if you snap back (which I did) your next next load has a 5 AM or a 11 PM PU or DEL time.

Loads have several stops with appt times that spread across two to three days. You’re literally sitting in one city for three days. Once your first load is unloaded you have to wait another 24 hours for the second stop to unload. You’re not driving at all, you’re just sitting in your truck for many days at a time, not making money.

Can someone please explain to Zina (accounting) what layover pay is. It’s not the same as detention pay.

On the surface they appear very professional and laid back. And I have to admit their equipment is better than average. But don’t let that fool you.

They’re a bit sketchy and it’s very obvious that they’re in it just for the money, yep, the driver’s money.