New Student Contract

The hope is that the people signing these contracts are desperate and dumb and having a big scary lawsuit will be enough to deterr them from leaving before the years up. But for a starter company, you could do a lot worse than prime. I mean they start you after training making 45cpm, who else does that?

 

I agree. If I went there though would go tanker or flatbed.

 

Plus there seems to be a really good group of guys working there, even guys who leave maintain their
relationships

 

Absolutely true. I've had a couple of students line up other jobs while they are still training. Other companies don't give a solitary rat's behind about CRST's non-compete clause.

 

Amazed at how far a prime noob can bend over.......................

 

One way of looking at it is this is that if Prime's competition is sending them ceast and desist letters, and trying to collect from Prime then in a way it forces Prime to respond in kind. It does seem that Prime was one of the last large carriers to begin this policy. Perhaps what we're seeing is the beginnings of a gentleman's agreement between carriers not to hire drivers who broke contracts?

I don't really see the ceast and desist contract clause as much of a concern for those whom are coming here for training, nor do I see your comment as being legitimate. I've always believed that when I agree to willingly enter a contract that as a man I hold up to my end of the bargain. If a new driver leaves before the one year is up they have the option to pay for the training, they will be released from contract and no ceast and desist letter will be sent. Prime did after all have a cost to train that person, its only fair.

Any person who receives training, leaves before the one year is up and has no intention to repay the debt is in my eyes a thief. What is it with the entitlement attitude that is spreading like wildfire in our country that we expect something for nothing and when are not given it we point fingers at those who will not allow us to take without giving anything in return?

Prime has always offered the best compensation for new drivers that I'm aware of. After 5yrs here I've been payed well, treated well, and I like it here, so I don't see what the problem is with the new contract.

 

I had to sign a non-compete letter years ago to drive for Conagra, and it sounded just as broad as the one prime is requesting. I also have signed these same letters for non trucking companies. Essentially you just can't take company specific knowledge, and use it for personal gain if you leave. When Conagra laid me off I went directly to work for a competitor, and per the non-compete I was not allowed to share information about my customers, rates, products, or brokers with my new company. IE Conagra didn't care who I worked for, but had I shared knowledge about high net niche markets they would have sued the crap out of me.

 

Ok, how about if the advertising is misleading? How about if the recruiter lies to get you there? You do the class; then while in orientation you learn the pay is far lower than what was originally specified. You also find that you may have to drive 1-2 hours to get home, in your own vehicle?

Is this normal treatment of a rookie driver?

 

Yes.

 

So they walk all over us and expect us to stay for the full year, and just keep taking it? Then when the 100% bill comes in because I walk after 6 months. Do the attorneys hash it out and I end up paying a % of the training cost due the irreconcilable differences between employer and employee?
I understand the lower pay (it's me actually paying for the training). Also higher cost if insurance covering a rookie ( my assumption). But why changing the rules as the game is played? Every time I discover a lie, I view that guy as just another jerk who graduated from a used car lot. I would have so much more respect for them and the company if they leveled with me.

All I can say is wow, and plan to move on when possible.