Prime Inc driver thread

I hope it works out for you - this must seem very unfair, and it is. I know Robert Low - he's a good man. His reasons for limiting trainers for women to women are sound in his view. Considering the event that precipitated this, I really can't blame him.

 

Hey guys, made my decision to go with Prime. Ya, they have a longer training period, but they pay more than any other company during training and the most per mile for company drivers after training. I have made it through to page 99 so far and I must say there is A LOT of information packed into this thread and I'm soaking it up like a compressed dehydrated sponge.

I was originally going to go with Central Ref. because a friends dad works for them and although he is happy with them, I don't fell that it would be the best fit for me. I liked that their training was based in SLC, but who really cares? It's not like you're going to be able to go home anytime you fell like it during training, so what's an extra 100+ miles from home right?

I've gotten everything approved EXCEPT I need my doctor to sign off on my release to full duty from shoulder surgery I had almost 14 weeks ago. He said I would be able to do the job now, but he wants me to complete my physical therapy to gain more strength back into my shoulder before he will release me completely. Sucks for me because I want to get out there and get going.

My recruiter contacts me frequently asking if the doctor has changed his mind yet, which I feel shows me that they do in fact keep up with recruits. Unlike Central and Knight, who told me they wouldn't do ANY pre-hire paperwork until I have the release from my ortho in hand. I felt that was bovine excrement. Why not do pre-hires NOW to qualify someone.

Only thing I have been worried about was my blood pressure. For eight weeks after surgery, I wasn't allowed to do squat. Whereas before surgery, I was constantly walking/fast walking and moving for 8-12 hours a day. So, blood pressure went up. Not bad enough during normal testing, but after physical activity, it goes up to 142/93 which I was told can be disqualifying for Prime and other companies. But through exercise and diet, I have gotten it down to 130/78 after physical activity. Hopefully it will go lower before I get there.

So, long story short, I should be going to Prime the first or second week in September. I would rather it be sooner, but I have to abide by doctors orders... I'm excited to be joining Prime and I hope to make some friends not only on this board, but out on the road but I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. Until then, I'll definitely be keeping up on the forums.

 

If you are coming in for PSD (without a CDL) you will be going to Springfield, MO. Once you get your own truck, you can (I think) get an SLC dispatcher.

Get that shoulder as strong as you possibly can. This is for YOUR benefit in the long run.

Because that pre-hiring stuff costs money, and they are waiting until you are qualified to actually drive first. If you aren't released to work, you are no good to them.

That is a federal disqualification, not just Prime. Get it down. The 130/78 should be ok.

Good luck!

 

Thanks, shoulder is already doing great. Only on strength training for the last week and a half and already up to 50lbs on my right arm. Doctor was VERY surprised by this with the extent of damage he had to repair. Two rotator cuff tendons, biceps tendonitis and anterior/posterior labrum repair. Guess it helped having muscle before surgery to help after surgery.

I got my CDL permit already, don't mind going to Springfield for training, recruiter told me I would be dispatched out of SLC (don't hold her to that, I've heard they say a lot of things to get you to go, just like a lot of the poor guys I was in basic training with) and just took blood pressure without physical activity is at 117/68.

Thanks for the any info/good lucks in advance. I'm sure I'll need it lol.

 

Congrats! You should be fine being dispatched out of SLC. I know other guys who are dispatched from SLC. Usually try to do it from your closest terminal, from what I know anyway. Keep the BP down and get some more stength in that shoulder, and you should be fine.

 

I am heading to Prime on September 4. Look me up if you want

 

Thanks Firefox, will do. More than likely going to be the 10th/11th when I'll start. Won't see the doc again until the 30th to get my release and by the time my recruiter gets everything it'll be too late to start till then.

 

I am going to Prime September 4 and hopefully will be driving a flatbed and I was wondering does Prime supply the straps, chains, and tarps needed to sucure and load? I have also heard that in the winter the miles for flatbedders get cut way back is this true?

 

You purchase your own equipment. They will sell you what you need to get started at a decent price. your looking at about $2300-2600 total that will be deducted from your pay at around $60 a week. You can choose new , used , or a mix.

You can sell it back to them if something comes up.

It was slow for a week or two last winter. Id say the weather had more of an impact on miles than slow freight.

 

Hard to pick up a load when the roads are closed lol I didnt have much of a problem last winter, except being stuck in Wyoming.