My Prime INC Experience. (A Running Log)

NOT complaining, just warning. I wouldn't want anyone to endure what me and my wife had to. I'm not saying its all bad. the only way it makes sense to work for Prime is if A) you are single and don't need to be home for long periods of time, and B) work as a company Driver. Because you are right JimmyBones, you don't have all the headaches. When I left Prime inc. I bounced around from local company to local company for almost a year before I found a Job Driving tractor trailer for the USPS. now I am making just about the same as you ,about 900-1000 a week depending on Overtime, and home every night, been there for 7 1/2 years. IMO the only thing companies like Prime, Swift, CR England, KLLM, and others like them are good for is, for a new driver to get driving exp. that's pretty much about it. I recommend getting 1 or 2 years exp. , then start looking for a good local job. Unless you just like traveling all over the country, which is fine.

 

Finally got a new tnt trainer will be back on the road tomorrow. He told me I should be able to upgrade to my own truck within a month. I will keep you posted. I am staying company for minimum 1 year from what I have seen leasing can be a headache if you dont know how to run a business and manage your expenses. But you can also make a lot of money if you know what your doing.

 

It's more than just a business, you're not just the boss. You also have to be a #### fine model employee too.

 

SAME HERE. No Leases at all for 12 months min after driving. Should be a LAW or maybe they should give a test to check business sense before leasing. It can be done in any business if a business plan is made but too many hear what they want thinking big money then after all the reality sets in and expenses are paid they realize they made less than they would have in the first place.

 

Try a couple of years on the company side. There's a lot more to this than just hammering down the road- and make sure you're talking to people who are successful.

You can make plenty of money on a lease... more than on the company side, but you will learn to contain your costs. It's simple. You can pay yourself, or you can pay the oil companies. That nonsense about all of the "good loads" going to the company side is a crock.

BTW... I get home often enough to suit me.

 

Hello everyone. I'm a new member on this forum, however I have been browsing as a guest for quite some time. I am currently applying to Prime's training program and look forward to getting back out OTR. I was previously a driver for a few different companies some years back and have chosen Prime to get me back doing what I really loved. Anyhow, thanks for all the info and entertainment from many of you. By the way, Daycabdriver--this is the forum listed under 'Your favorite company" 2004 was a long time ago. Please post the negative comments where they belong. God bless the U.S.A and all of you as well. J

 

Hooah.

-Bones

 

For those of you curious about pay, I've taken a screenshot of a portion of my stub for the week so you can get an idea of what a check looks like for a slightly lazy solo driver.

I've kept certain unnecessary info out of sight, but it is mostly just trip numbers, private info, locations, etc.

The only thing you may want to know is that my mpg for this pay period was 7.75- had a rough stint in the mountains with a junk trailer loaded to the ceiling. The fuel bonus for that mpg is 1.9cpm, according to the stub.

The extra pay of $125 you'll see on the first image is 22 hours of detention.

The reimbursements are a scale ticket, a toll fee (Kansas), and a scale plus reweigh.

The deductions are one dollar weekly comdata fee, a $50 advance for personal use, and a portion of the chain fee.





This is what I got, you can do better, a lot of bums do worse.

 

Not bad at all. Are you in a regular sized or lightweight truck? I remember seeing lightweight guys getting paid 5 cents more. My trainers old trainee just got his truck and was told new company drivers have to drive a lightweight. Which is fine I guess as long as they pay more.

 

Jimmy, that was just one week and you are not in a lightweight truck right? VERY GOOD for a little lazy guy! I am planning to be about as lazy as you and I can handle making around that weekly. The lightweight trucks my trainer wants to put me in pays .41 to start.. Not sure about being in a small space and money is not everything.