My Prime INC Experience. (A Running Log)

Got my trainer yesterday, we head out this morning.

Spent a few hours last night getting refamiliarized with driving and backing in a big truck.

Like riding a bike.

 

Got right on it yesterday and took our first load up to PA. Lookin for a new one now.

 

So, two days into my refresher, I am already about ten percent done with my required miles, on only two trips.

 

Just jammin these runs out, lot of miles so far, mostly repowers. Spent a lot of time so far between Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Trainer is cool, but seems to not get along we'll with dispatch.

 

Sounding good so far...knockin' down the miles is the most important. From what I've read, your trainers dispatch becomes your dispatch...that true?

 

I guess so. He's cool with me though. As of tomorrow, I'll be just shy of 20% done. Got a load from Pennsylvania going down to Miami.

 

No. It can happen that way, but Prime doesn't mix company and lease drivers on the same board. It also depends on a lot of other things.

 

I've been reading on Trucker's Report about some bad Prime experiences. Being "forced" or coerced into Owner/Leases. "If you want more home time: gotta get a lease". "Want longer runs? Gotta get a lease." "Want more drop-and-ship? Gotta get a lease." I know some people are just whiney, so I don't take anything at face value...just curious what your experiences seem to be with the trainers...they encouraging you into the lease thing? So they get the bonus?

 

Only a few lessees have encouraged it. Most folks, including my trainer, have advised against it.

 

There's plenty of "bad experiences" floating around at all carriers. Lotsa dudes can't stand the army, hate going to work, absolutely detest yard work... it kinda floats around. There's a fella on TTR who was rejected by Prime who has been posting about how "leases are pushed at Prime." I worked on the company side for 3 years, and never heard a word about it. Home time? If you want to maximize home time, stick on the company side - lease ops have to figure out a way to pay for it. Longer runs... for lease guys? You must be joking! We're paid percentage, fuel surcharge and accessorials - that means a pot of money to do a load - and what's left is ours... after you pay the fuel bill. Longer runs means more fuel. We pull food... and that means lots of live loads and unloads; drop 'n hook freight is kind of randomly distributed. And as far as I know, NO ONE gets a bonus by having their student sign up with no experience... that's almost a guaranteed way to fail at starting a business in my book.