Prime Company Driver

With makes parking a trailer in that yard so much more fun when it starts to get full!

 

hey guys aka lil brother i just put in a app today going to call tomarrow.i got some q?s for you guys. i turn 21 in march.is clarksville a bad place to be for fright.and what are there trucks like in good shape. be safe out there guys

 

We do pleanty of business throughout the entire state of Tennessee, so you'll be fine there. They keep the trucks in good shape. Most are less than 3 years old, have APU's, etc. Just be prepared for a lightweight truck with a small sleeper if you plan on becoming a company driver after training vs. leasing.

 

thanks trucker mike for the info be safe out there driver

 

I just recently got my CDL and was looking at going to Swift but after their recuiter acted like I was bothering her it kinda put a bad taste in my mouth about them. Now the Prime recuiter I've been talking to has been real nice and professional which I was just wondering will this be the case even after I'm with the company? I mean does this company actually treat their drivers with respect? Also I've read somethings about e log under the Prime link on here, is that everybody now or is it still in it's testing phase? Are all their trucks still manual trans. or are they moving over to auto's trans like most big companies? I've read a lot of flak about Prime being real slow on the road what are their company trucks governed at? Since this would be my first company do you all think it would be a good place to start. I'm not much on teaming but if it's what will pay my bills then I'll do it.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and answering my questions.
One other question I've read on here that Prime is giving solo company drivers smaller trucks does that include the drivers that our running 48 and Canada or just those that are running more of a regional route? I'm pretty much sold on this company and should start my orientation on March 3. I'm just trying to get some more info so I know more of what to expect. Thanks again

 

That would be the case in my opinion.

Yes.

The company is converting everyone onto elogs - still in process. But you should understand that eventually it will be required that all CMVs are on some sort of elogging/EOBR system. There will probably be a new rule on that this year. Prime has just been trying to get ahead of the curve on this - as well as a number of other large carriers including FedX Ground and Schneider - there are others as well.

As far as I know, we're still all on manual, 10-speed, direct drive transmissions. Keep in mind that just being able to drive an auto limits your ability to move around the industry. Besides, its not that hard to drive a manual.

Lease operators are governed at 65 - we go up to Canada. Company trucks start at 62, and go down from there depending on whether or not you have a lead foot. It's all about fuel economy at Prime - basically holding down costs. Since fuel prices are going up again, it will be a hot thing with most companies again soon. You mentioned Swift? They're governed at 62 as well.

I think it's a good place to start.

All solo company drivers are ending up in the "lightweight" trucks - unless they are teaming or training. We can put quite a bit more into the trailer with the weight savings on the lighter tractors - something that differentiates us from the competition. We use that as a marketing tactic - and it would appear that we are increasing our market share of reefer freight because of it - good for us drivers. More loads.

 

I wouldn't expect auto trans anytime soon at Prime. The auto transmissions are heavier than the manuals...and we're all about saving weight and fuel at Prime.

I had to repower a load from a lightweight truck a couple weeks ago that had 47,500 in the box (beer load). He had to have the tandems slid all the way to the rear (28xxx trailer - 33,890 on the trailer tandems with his lightweight truck). I can't remember what it was on his drives, but I believe somewhere around 32,900. Not the case for me! Good thing I was only taking it 10 miles down the road!

 

I don't want an auto trans that's why I asked. I guess since I've never had a big truck I probably won't even know what I'm missing LOL. Does anyone know how the pay raises go as a solo company driver? I guess if your in one of those small trucks then there is no room for a passenger correct, not that I plan on having any. I also guess if your a company driver you'll never see Canada not that I'm complaining about that either. Thank you all for the answers.

 

As far as pay raises go, see U2Exit's thread that contains all that info and fuel mileage bonuses, etc. All Prime drivers are now required to have passport, TWIC, and haz-mat endorsement. You may go to Canada, and the word is we are picking up more haz-mat loads ($50.00 for a placarded load.) As to passengers in small trucks: correct. They don't even have a seat. As to IP's contention that "it's not that hard to drive a manual:" he obviously did not train me!

 

Thanks again everyone for your all's help I really to appreciate it. I like the sound of only one seat means I a reason why I can't take the old lady lol j/k. I really like the fact that Prime is going to pay me a extra $50 for hazmat loads. I don't have my hazmat endorsement yet which I will be more then glad to get but I was wondering if Prime will pay for it or pay me back if I go ahead and get? Thanks again