PLEASE HELP start with PRIME INC or Knight?? suggestions

I agree with this, Prime is the way to go for noobs. If you can find a way into a good LTL company off the bat that's another good choice.

 

http://bit.ly/1wFayqX

 

I think you'll find any business in America thas at least one (or perhaps many) person(s) who is unhappy about something. Part of the problem is many folks looking for training may be inexperienced in the employment market and trucking leading to unrealistic expectations.

In general most of the Prime company drivers I speak with are for the most part satisfied with the job, conditions and miles they get. I think many who are really unhappy with their companies are having a problem with driving- not the company, and would be unhappy at any trucking company. I've also met folks who have left Prime, left to go to other other carriers, and have told me that leaving Prime was a mistake. The other jobs were not as good as Prime.

Go figure.

This my eighth year at Prime, and while some of the things they do tee me off, overall its been a good deal for me. I've got a lot of experience working, and have been in both good and bad situations, so I know what a crappy job is. I'd have walked away from Prime a long time ago if it wasn't working out well for me.

 

I agree, and my experience with Knight has been about the same. It's all about your work ethic.

Not a trucking company in the US that doesn't value hard workers.

 

Cannot believe this is still unclear after so many threads...
.08cpm for solos & .05cpm each for teams is PER DIEM, not straight pay.
Perdiem paid in any form as part of advertised pay is nothing other then an advance on what you would get come tax season for every day you spend for DOT sanctioned CMV work away from your place of residence.
Perdiem is also 'reinbursed' for many other forms of work but not at the same rate as CMV work.
.08cpm for solos & .05cpm each for teams is PER DIEM, not straight pay.
.43 - .08 = .35cpm base straight pay for solo Lightweight
.35 - .05cpm straight pay = .30cpm base straight pay for solo Condo

Straight pay additions that are NOT perdiem
Lightweight pay = .05cpm
Fuel bonus = .025 - .06cpm - why we are so slow...besides the low power...& near gross 80% of the time....& the 62mph limiter....& the 1500rpm cutoff....& the 1800rpm over rpm engine damage warning even though freightliner, at least, rates engine to 2300rpm....& the 1200 rpm mandated shift points....& the prime fuel maps. The Detroit's do an admiral job considering....
NE regional bonus = .05cpm for certain loads originating & travelling to certain NE regions - OTR drivers do not receive
Team bonus for teams only = .05 CPM each for miles over 3500 turned in by payroll
Stop pay
Bonus pay

Per diem does not count as pay since you can currently deduct the amount of $59x80%=$47.20 per OTR day at the end of year anyway.

Had a Pete LW - way small, only someone less than 5ft tall could stand comfortably, loud inside, took twice the turns of the wheel to turn as any aero, way worse visibility, 7.5mpg on a good day, really uncomfortable seat - back was spasming every single day, horribly dead feeling clutch, brake, acclerator, & steering, ONE 100gal tank.
More power then new trucks, much better Jake, better air horn, no body roll or wind turbulence rocking cab, better quality interior, lightest LW of them all - sans the old Columbias

Cascadia LW = 48in sleeper, can stand up fine, shorter hood than condos because of smaller DD13 engine - can tell by hood vents on sides, much larger room inside despite being same 48in as peterbilt, quiet, bouncy, easy to drive, excellent visibility & maneuvering ability, short shifter - not kidding, good modulation of brake & clutch, lightest in use LW
Low power, weak jake, cute truck, no room between bed & seats.

Prostar - best LW at prime. Period
56in sleeper that is cathedral like compared to cascadia, new 85xxxx trucks with DEF have epic MPG potential - as in double digits while being mostly loaded.
Shifter, clutch, & brake feel not as good as cascadia, throttle a bit touchy, history of EGR problems on pre-DEF trucks, harder to service, heavier then cascadia might have trouble scaling some loads.

Numbers people, like my FM, will always go with Cascadia because of ease of serviceability,track record, MPG, weight, ability to get most work done or at least diagnosed at prime terminals & 50000mi service interval.



You could do a lot worse than prime, at least starting out considering alternatives

 

If I was in your shoes I'd look into Schneiders tanker division.

 

The lightweight freightliners are really cramped. My first truck was a lightweight prostar (international) and it really ( while still cramped) wasn't that bad.

 

Prime's recruiters are slammed all the time. They'll get back to ya.