I see the handwriting on the wall! In another couple of weeks we are going to see a former Prime L/O on here badmouthing and bashing the Company, telling us that the lease is a scam and that Prime wanted him to fail, so they could lease his truck to another sucker. And then you will see all these reply posts saying we told you never to Lease a truck from the company that gives you loads, etc, etc, etc. And then myself and others will have to try to explain that it was totally the L/O's fault that they didn't make it, not Prime's.
We took the ACEII a few weeks ago. Even though he's doing quite well, the other half wanted to make sure he was maximizing his profit potential. Didn't learn anything new from the class as we had already sat down to read and understand the weekly settlements and operating statements not long after he signed on the dotted line. However, we did learn that more than half of the class didn't know how to read or didn't understand their weekly settlements.
I think to make it as a successful L/O in this business you have to have some business sense and know-how. Now, take me for example. There is no way I would lease right after training. I wouldn't know enough of the ins and outs of trucking, driving the 4 different seasons, knowing the different routes, truck stops, fuel stops, the different shippers, receivers, etc. Heck, I might not figure it all out after a year. However, I would def recommend after reading a lot of posts on here to at least wait a year and drive company first before leasing. Maybe drive company 2 years. Guess all depends on your comfort level and training. I just know, its important to get your ducks lined up in a row, use good business sense, keep the wheels moving, optimize your time and be smart. You get out what you put in. Just my .02
Sounds like there will be a new truck available to lease at Prime. This is a really good example of why we have been recommending a driver drive for a few years before buying/leasing a truck. I think however nothing really is going to help this guy. If what you say is true, he wouldn't have made it as a company driver either. His leasing of a truck was probably the only reason prime hired him or kept him. They figured they could at least get a couple of runs out of him. That is classic though. I can't tell you how many of those guys I have seen in the past. Thanks for sharing that story though, makes me giggle!
Maverick, you seem to be on the right track! It's people like you who succeed in the trucking business!
Thanks. I certainly hope so. I go to Prime in October. I am chomping at the bit so to speak to get out there. A little nervous, but, that'll pass. I love new adventures.
As a L/O-Mentor with Swift, for over 9 years, I taught all of my students how to run the truck as a business...even if they said they didn't plan on being in the Lease program. All of my settlements (could bring them up online with the Swift web site) were available for explanation and discussion, and every student learned something from them... I figured it would make a better company driver if the student understood the basics of what constitutes profit and loss to not only a single truck, but using simple multiplication, how each individual truck can effect a company's profit margin. Understanding the basics always, in my opinion makes a better employee, or operator. Also, as a graduating "gift"...all students were presented with a new laminated commercial atlas, Swift "Keep It Straight" book (for trip info and records), and some good advice of not to spend what you don't have...the reason for the "gifts". After all, they did participate in my income while they were on my truck, and many meals were funded by me, for them during their training. While in a smaller way, yes the Prime leasing/company is a little at fault in not insuring the new driver isn't up to snuff and ready to start a new career...but I see the students trainer(s) are more at fault for not teaching this driver what can and will happen without complete and proper training. It isn't just about shifting, backing, and steering...but we all know this.....DON'T WE????
Sounds like you were one of the great ones otherhalf. In a student/teacher relationship, learning is up to the student. Even the best teachers can't make a turnip talk. If there's crucial information I can't seem to grasp, then It's question, study, and question some more. I would think a good trainer welcomes questions. Obviously that kid didn't ask enough.
Nice, getting a good thread up and running maverick77. Hopefully I will be still around when you get there. I'm going on Sept 21st to give it a try. I wont be brave enough to start my own experience thread until I have passed through the bumps in the road the first couple of days. I will definately be a company driver until I get a handle on running a truck for Prime. I personally don't think that now is a good time to be investing in a truck. I think the economy still has a few bumps in the road yet to go. See ya around.
See the same mistakes made in a lot of jobs not just trucking , recently had 1 of my trucks at the CAT delaer , young apprentice was showing off all the TOOLS he just bought , BIG $ and sure were nice and shiny. ( this shop supplies 99% of the tools that the new guys would ever need ) Also crying about not making any $ because of all his bills.
