I arrived on Monday and started Orientation on Tuesday at 7am. Since I arrived with my CDL Permit I and 4 others were able to start the simulator tests yesterday afternoon. Three of us finished all 7 tests that same day, so we basically had today (Wednesday) off (after Smith's class). Everything my recruiter told me to this point has been dead on target. No surprises, no delays and no B.S. Two more days of classes and then we should get assigned our instructors. They told me they think they have an instructor lined up for me already, hope so, looking forward to getting out on the road to begin my practical learning. Everyone I have talked to here has been straight forward, yes I have talked to some drivers who were not happy, however, most of the drivers I have talked with have been satisfied and realistic about expectations. I remember very well from the Corps, that a happy Marine is a ######## Marine, I have found that to hold true everywhere. In comparing this to the start of my Marine Corps career it is way nicer, less stressful, and the food is better (well maybe not better, but you can take your time eating it...(I really liked Marine Corps food)). I understand that I am starting at the bottom of the food chain, and must "earn my stripes" over time. Understood and accepted. My point is that my recruiter did not tell me anything that has not been true to this point, and everyone I have met so far has been very willing to talk to me, and assist me with anything I needed. Very Happy so far...
Glad things are going well for you. Orientation isn't the most fun thing in the world. But if you keep that attitude you'll do just fine here. As for the food, try eating over at the Millennium building. Much better over there.
glad it's going good 4 u.. i am supposed 2 start at the end of the month. i hope they still let me come after all that happened.. good luck..
Hey Trucker Mike, I have been driving for 8 months and considering going on with Prime, L/O. What is your experience with company drivers versus L/O, any help would be appreciated.
Have a class at 7am, then I think we are headed over to the pad to practice until we get an instructor...hoping to get out this weekend...j
Got my DOT card and my Prime Badge today. Instructors told us to pack our gear and be ready to leave as soon as the have us lined up with an instructor...Looking forward to getting out on the pad and then out to the road to start my new life. I have wanted to do this for more years than I care to admit...glad I am finally in a position to make this a reality. One more year and my wife will be joining me to complete our team... Would like to thank everybody who helped me make the decision to go with Prime...
I think IP would be a better person to answer this for you, as he's done both. But I'll give you my bias opinion. Personally, when I crunch the numbers, it just doesn't make sense to lease. When I speak with Prime drivers, it's not all that difficult to find dissatisfied lease ops, but it's very tough to come across dissatisfied company drivers. Many L/O's at Prime claim to make much more money than company drivers though. I can't figure out how they can possibly net much more than company drivers, if any more at all. But it seems we have two different types of L/O's here at Prime. Those who are making a killing, and those who are losing their shirts. The question I would ask myself if I were in your shoes is, "why lease?" Keep in mind, as a company driver, I collect a steady paycheck, get steady home time without ever going into the hole, have no financial attachment to the truck and any associated problems, receive all the usual company perks such as insurance, 401k, vacation, etc., and assume almost no liability on anything. I also live a relatively stress free life. Truck breaks down? I get a paid for hotel room and collect breakdown pay while I wait for Prime to fix and pay for the repairs. Get a lemon truck? They'll give you another one (at least they did for me). Want to take a vacation? Enjoy it! I don't have to worry about making a truck payment, plus I'll collect my vacation pay while I'm at it. Fender gets torn off by some idiot? Back to the paid for hotel! Prime has a vested interest in keeping their company trucks moving. If I don't move, it comes out of their pocket. Needless to say, they keep me moving. They claim our loads are "first empty, first loaded." But if Prime has two trucks sitting around, one they are paying for and one somebody else is paying for, who do you think will get moving first? Of course, I have absolutely no proof that their "first empty, first loaded" policy isn't true. For all I know, they strictly follow that policy. But, I'm just sayin'. If they have a financial interest in my truck, things can be tweaked. Leasing very well could be the right thing for you, and most lease guys I know at Prime swear by it. They'll never go to the company side. So there are two sides to the story and I'm sure somebody will chime in after me to defend the Prime lease option. I for one recommend driving a company truck. Do what you love...traveling and driving. Let them worry about all the headaches of running a cut throat business where every penny needs to be squeezed for a small profit. If you do decide to lease, be prepared to run a business and accept all of the liability and stress that goes with doing so. Not just any business, but a business with very small profit margins. Plus, leasing isn't exactly an entrepreneurship. It's more of a partnership. You'll still be forced to have your truck speed restricted, be on electronic logs, and do most of the same things as company drivers. You can be successful as a lease operator. Leasing does have some perks, and many people use leasing as a stepping stone to bigger things, such as starting their own trucking firm. And that makes sense. But think very carefully before you jump on the leasing bandwagon. Make a business plan and plan out where every penny will go. I don't know of any company drivers who have gone bankrupt as a result of driving a company truck. If running a business is what interests you, keep in mind with the internet these days, you can run several different types of businesses right from your truck. I should know, I own one. My overhead is $300 / year.
