Has anyone heard of this:?

There website is out of date on stuff, but give them a call for sure. Also, search the forums here for Prime, you'll find lots of info and stories from drivers who started at the same point as you and have given detailed accounts of their experience. Some of the drivers still update there posts on a regular basis and they have been with Prime for a few years. That should tell you something about the company.

On a side note, if you are interested in getting a degree, Prime offers a huge discount for online courses through Bethel University to you as a driver and to your family members. The discount for online courses is 50%. Haven't found another company that offers that yet.

Also, if you are with them for 10 years you can retire from Prime. They will fund a retirement account with $1,000 a year for every year you work with them. But you don't vest until year 10.

There are so many good things about Prime that I have found out and wish I had known before I signed my contact with CRST.

Don't get me wrong, CRST hasn't been all bad and driving with a Co-driver has had it's advantages; a second set of eyes, someone to talk to, help spotting while backing. Just depends on if you want to drive team or solo. For me I have found I would rather drive solo, but that's my personality. I can only handle being around people for so long before I need my space and when you are on a truck, it's an 8x8 padded cell with a steering wheel that rumbles down the road. Not much space to get away from your Co-driver, lol.

Good luck out there and be safe!

 

Sorry about that, thought for sure they paid you during the cdl training part.

Have you tried going to a truck stop near you and asking one of the drivers if they would help you out so you can pass the test? Maybe offer then a few dollars or a meal in exchange for some help. There are some nice drivers out there that would be willing to help. Just have to ask.

 

What kind of work do you do now? Have you thought about getting a part time job delivering pizza a few night a week? You can easily earn an extra $1,000 - $2,000 a month doing that save up for the wife and son. Maybe your wife gets a part time job just until you are making enough in trucking?

 

Have you tried or thought about doing something as simple as dog walking? It could be something you, your wife and son could do together. Lots of people need there dogs walked during the day and on weekends.

 

Just to get info correct with Prime they will loan you up to $200 a week for 4 weeks while you are on the road learnng what you need to know to pass your CDL test. After you pass the CDL test then you are paid $600 (before taxes) or .12cpm whichever is great for about 6 weeks as you do the 2nd phase of training. After you upgrade to your own truck then you start at .42cpm plus up to .06cpm fuel each week. Add another .05cpm if you run the northeast region full time.

No school or company sponsored program will actually pay you while you are learning to get your CDL.

 

when I run solo about 2,500-3,000 on average. Now on the northeast regional I am not sure could be a little less but since you live in that region you would have a better chance of being home more.