Hello Prime drivers....I recently filled out an on-line ap for the PSD/TNT program. After re-thinking my options....or lack thereof... between various companies...Millis (hiring freeze in my area), Roehl (conflicting info and long wait for trainers) and Central Refridgerated ( "speed training"? ), I think Prime maybe a good fit for me. Must admit, reading the many posts from all these companies left me a bit conflicted in choosing who I wanted to go with, but I found more good than bad opinions on Prime. I do have a miniscual amount of OTR exp. ( less than a year)....but that was back in '99. My current local Class A job in SC ( flatbed w/moffet hauling sod, lumber, brick/stone, etc. ) has kept my "gear grinding" fresh, but I realize recent OTR is what is favored. I'm willing ( but not too pleased ) to surrender my license for the sake of taking the company training, as I can't swing the $ for a "acceptable" refresher course. So....to my questions: 1 - Is the recruiting department open on the weekends? My job is running me ragged with long hours....recruiter called me this afternoon, but I'm held to a strict "no personal calls while on duty" policy.....so I couldn't answer the phone, if just for a minute. ( I have a co-worker with me and he's under the same rule as me....just wouldn't be fair if I had ). 2 - As far as home-time.... any Prime shipper/receiver or drop lots in SC (I'm in Columbia) where I can park my rig/trailer? Is that the preferred method that Prime wants for drivers on home-time, or are they more flexible? ( Several truck stops near me, but that option makes me nervous ). 3 - From what moment of training...from start of orientation to testing out for your solo (my option if this matters) truck...does Prime begin to hold you to the 1 year commitment? ( Totally fine with this agreement to drive for them 1 year...however, this would be good to know ). Hope this effort with Prime works well for me. I'm going into this with a better mindset than I did 14 years ago. It's not about $....no ties at home to hold me back....I simply miss driving state-to-state. Saw many cool sights and met interesting folks on the road...kinda miss that too. Wish me luck....and thanks for your imputs.
skyflyer, stay away from Prime you will regret it. Prime = Please remember I mortgaged everything. If you like starving then call them up. And no there is no lot except for Missouri that lets you park you truck and trailer and go home. But its only like 1 every 3 months for 2 days anyways when you get home, so get packed and ready to make the truck your Home.
Prime has ruined more lives that any company I know of. You might want to reconsider making a deal with the devil.
Lol, pissed at prime much? Get you #### straight dude. as far as south carolina is concerned, not sure, but using ohio for example there are probably 10-12 drop yards in the state to drop a trailer, and everything ive gathered, they prefer you to take your truck to the house. company guys get 1 day home for every 7 out, l/o's well its up to them. after the initial training for students and passing your cdl is when you are considered hired, but with your situation not sure when your anniversary date would be. i myself am just getting ready to head out on the 17th for the psd deal, but ill say prime far and away seems the best for students and those needing a refresher.
Now this is the kind of good info we need to know about... So like if you live a long ways from Missouri could you maybe stay out for 6 months and take 4 days off? Heck there could be folks living as far away as Denver, SLC, or way up in PA. somewhere.
Not sure if recruiters work weekends. You can always apply online and select email as your preferred method of contact. Not sure about yards in sc but you'll could figure something out. I've left my truck at a pilot a few times. If you come in with a cdl your hire date should be after orientation. Your training time will also be less if you have local driving experience. First year Prime drivers average 50k+ as solo company drivers. I don't know anyone "starving" at Prime, a lot of people at Prime, myself included, have little or no debt. Prime has terminals in 6 states and uses drop yards all over the place, not just Missouri. Home time policy is 1 day off for every 7 days worked for company drivers. If you need more time they will work with you. I've taken a week off at once in my first year as a company driver. Lease can take off as much as they can afford to, they have to still make their truck payment when they aren't working. I haven't worked for any other trucking companies and I wouldn't say Prime is the best. But it's also not the worst and it is a good place to start. Some people are very successful at Prime. I've seen some lease guys making 80k+ solo. Some teams are making over 100k/ yr. There are no other otr companies I know of that you can come in with no experience and have the potential for that kind of money.
It's the dark side. Don't be dissin' us - may have to talk to ol' scratch about your post-mortality status ya know!
Yes recruiting is open on the Weekends. There should be no need to give up your CDL if you are currently driving. That would be kinda stupid.
rcd127...Yes, I too think it is stupid. However, as I've scanned over many past posts on Prime, this is said to be required if a CDL driver with no recent OTR exp come into Prime's school.....I drove for Schneider back in '99 for less than a year....not good enough. I believe I read that the surrendering of one's CDL is required by the state Prime trains new drivers, not Prime itself ( set me str8t if I have misunderstood this ). Since I left Schneider, I've held 2 local jobs operating mostly Class B type trucks (24 ft. box vans). Currently...Working for Lowe's...both box van and a single chassis (no 5th wheel) flatbed w/moffet. It's a late model Sterling w/ an Eaton 8spd. I have done driving for another store that operates a 2009 International DuraStar w/ a 10spd...all this since Aug of 2011. So that's my current local experience. Perhaps I'm selling myself short, but I doubt this would impress Prime....or any other company. I'll soon know as soon as I can contact my recruiter. In the meantime, more opinions/comments wanted....I'd prefer the word of a Prime driver/instructor/trainer over that of some of the Prime haters I've gotten so far. If this is a mistake I'm making, let me learn from it. I've been in jobs I've been unhappy with before....and stuck it out. By the way, I've already made my deal with the devil......she wasn't worth it (might have been the devil herself).....divorced and alive once again. I'm quite certain Prime can do me no worst.
