My First year with Prime

70 hours/8 days is 8.75 hours per day. Sometimes it's hard to manage that considering schedules. If you get up against the 70-hour clock, it's because you've been running really hard. You'll be wanting a bit of a break at that point. Bet your laundry is stinkin' by then - good time to do it!

 

Like IP says, there really is no way to manage it (much depends on the loads and appt times you're getting) except that you can be efficient in the time you spend on line 4 (on duty) by combining fueling with PTIs for example. Also the speed you drive will affect your 70. However that must be weighed against the better mpg you'll get at the lower speeds.

It won't be a big deal while you're training (team driving) and seem to have all the hours in the world. My trainer (U2) was keen on giving me insights on what it would be like (and ways to milk the clock) once I'd be running solo. Your trainer may do the same, and/or you should be thinking in terms of operating solo and asking questions when you have them.

Welcome to Prime, dude, and good luck!

 

Thanks, I am glad to be with Prime. So far my experience has been well. My recruiter has been very informative of the process and has been helping me every step of the way. She has told me what to expect at Orientation and what things to bring so as to be successful. I know its her job to get me there, however, Prime doesn't make any Federal $$ off of me till I am trained and have my CDL so I am told. I know other companies have Fed $$ for students they can put through their schools. Not worried about that at all. Needless to say, she wants me to be successful and from what I can tell, that means Prime wants me to be successful too. Cause IMHO, if I am successful then the Company overall is successful. Duh! LOL! Not trying to preach here. I apologize.

I am just looking forward to August 3rd. Getting through Orientation, taking my whizz-quiz, my DOT physical and getting trained for my CDL.... Then obtaining CDL and getting the extra 50,000 miles to become a Seat "A" transition. I might opt to do what IP and U2 did which is go solo for the remaining 20,000 before becoming a fully "A" seat driver. We'll see.
Def not looking forward to riding the greyhound for a day and half to Springfield. I might need to ask if they help towards a plane ticket. I might pay that out of pocket.

So IP, Emton, U2, or whomever, just making sure I have this correct... Once I become a Company Driver, I am to be assigned a lightweight Pete or a Cascadia Freightliner or Century Class? Just curious.... not really important...just am 6-2 and want to be comfortable. Thanks

 

Last I heard, it was driver's choice as to lightweight or standard truck. But, as you will learn, things at Prime tend not to stay the same. After you upgrade you will be assigned a truck. That much is fairly certain!

 

When you upgrade to A-seat, you'll go over to the leasing office to be assigned to a truck - whether you're leasing or going company. Then it depends on what they have on that particular day... it changes from day-to-day depending on what's been turned in, and how many new trucks they have prepped...

 

Yes Maverick, I am a C seat driver. I just got all my orientation paperwork and am setting up a flight to Springfield on the 28th. I also think you will do very well. Good luck on getting your CDL.....

 

Thanks... I plan on doing well. Good luck with everything.... Luckily with God as my rock, all will be well.

 

You mean like this guy?

 

LOL! Very Funny! Not me or you. You complain but you worked for Prime so I think you are entitled to your opinion. I know you drive a skateboard, and I am sorry Prime screwed you over. No hard feelings. Mostly your comments are funny. Good luck at Maverick.

 

Went through the CDL training and then the 50k miles with another trainer, now out on my own for 4 months as a company driver with Prime. Complaints? Plenty. But they substantially relate to the nature of the business. In other words, I would have these complaints regardless of the carrier I went with. Specific complaints for Prime? Nothing major. They screwed up my paycheck 3 of the last 4 weeks. It gets fixed, but I'm not crazy about having to always be on the lookout for something that gets missed through no fault of mine. But if thats all I have to complain about, well it could be a lot worse.

In the last 4 months I've averaged just over 3000 miles per week. Worst week was 2748, best week was 3603. Only asked for home time twice so far, and got home on the day requested both times. What else do you want to hear? Its the same as any job. It is what you make it.