prime recruiting

JW the recruiters at Prime are straight up. Usually the recruiters that lie are desperate to get people in the trucks. Prime does not have that problem. Note the fact of how long it takes to talk to a person when you call in - and there are quite a few recruiters! I found that everything they said is what happened. If you are okay making $500-600 IN TRAINING, call Springfield and be patient! Or put an application in online. They will call YOU then or email you!

 

Remember you only get paid during your training Phase... Instruction phase has no paycheck. could be 4-5 weeks before you pass your CDL test and get with a trainer.

Read my training thread... 2 changes that I am aware of since I wrote it: the weekly loaned amount you can take while out with your Instructor during your permit phase is now $200 (down from 240 and still payed back at 25/week)... they lowered the training to 60k if you want to lease.

 

Mine wasn't. Mine had more crap than a christmas turkey. If that is straight up I sure would not want one of them to lie to me....

 

I've been out with my instructor for one week now, started orientation July 4. Prime has yet to throw me any curveballs. I will tell you they checked with my former employers (all of them) before approving my application. However, even after a very demanding day running the hills in the Virginias, I'm very happy I chose Prime. Get all the information you can and then go with your heart!

 

I have been with them now since the end of April. I came in with no experiance, and fresh out of a CDL Mill (FYI Stay the heck away from NU-Way). My recruiter was very upfront and honest. I have yet to be lied to. My fleet manager (dispatcher) is a really awesome guy who takes care of me and my trainer very well. They have some of the best rigs and trailers out there. Most trailer i see on the road are old and beat the heck, but most of theirs (they do have some old 05s still being pulled around) are in great shape. I am almost done with my training and am still trying to figure what side to go (company or lease).

I will say the training to me seems a bit long (60k miles) before you go on your own, but at the same token, the first 5 weeks is $500 (+ .10/mi after 5k miles/wk), everything after that is $600 (+ .12/mi after 5k miles/wk) so I can't complain that im still making my guarantee. I get paid when im stuck in the truck during my trainers home time, which makes things real nice too.

As far as the terminal goes, TRY LIKE HECK to get out of the Springfield, MO terminal. I have been to all the others, and well nothing compares to Springfield as far as facilities, and dispatchers go.

They are also pretty good at taking care of the drivers periode. I had an unfortunate accident on I-40 in Oklahoma between exit 7 and 5 heading west July 10th. Around 4am a hurd of black angus cattle got loose are were walking down the expressway. I was unable to see them untill it was too late. I hit and killed 10, also totaled the truck.

I was not once treated like crap by my trainer (he had JUST gotten the truck before he picked me up, a 2010 Freightliner Cascadia which had 44k miles at the time of the wreck), my fleet manager, or anyone from safety. I still got paid for my days, and wasn't fired (it was a non-preventable accident).

This may be my first driving job, but it in no way has been my first job. I have worked for many large companies, corporations, and so on, and these people by far have treated me the best.

Pay is good. Home time is good (they have never made me feel bad, or cut miles due to wanting to go home). They are particular about their trucks. Yes, they do have some older ones sitting around, but for the most part the fleet is mostly new. Lots of new Petes and cascadias with some centuries still kicking (they have slowly been getting rid of them)

One thing, as many will say (and this probably holds true to most companies) don't buy into most of the crap you hear at the terminals. In the end, you have to seperate the crap from the truth. You can look at the many walls with all the million plus drivers that work there. You will hear people complain of not getting miles or having to sit long. But something you have to ask youself is, WHY arent they getting miles? Me and my trainer have stay very busy. The only reason why my training has taken a little longer was due to the accident and having to take almost 10 days off because my trainers elderly mother fell ill and had to go see her. Most of these people you hear complaining most likely are constantly late, or get poor fuel milage.They are BIG on the fuel milage (expecting you to get at least 7.0MPG or better). If they are complaining and whiney, well... thats probably another reason. Like anyjob. You are there to do a specific job. In this case, its drive. So do it. Don't complain. You aren't always going to get the perfect run every time. You have to take the bad with the good. In this day and age, a job is better than no job.

 

very well put emersonsc, im so tired of hearing people whine about their job its pathetic even if the job sucks and the employer is an ###, they can move on and find another job. i would if i was being treated horribly, you can take that to the bank and cash that bad boy.

 

how do u make the fuel mileage?

 

Here we go again...

1. Easy on the throttle.
2. Slow down... 55 - 60 at most - definitely in the 1100 - 1200 rpm range.
3. Progressive shifting.
4. Never climb a hill above 1100 rpm, downshift until you find a gear that will keep you there.
5. Use gravity as much as possible.
6. Always ballance your loads.
7. Use the cruise control as much as possible until you figure how to drive 80,000 lbs down the road.
8. Run a 10psi overboost power profile.
9. Start slowing down for exits a half mile from them.
10. Smith System... don't be tailgaiting.
11. TIRE PRESSURE, TIRE PRESSURE, TIRE PRESSURE!!!!
12. Make the most of the fuel mileage on your deadhead legs.

Got it?

 

I just spoke with Kristy at Prime Recruiting, there is currently a Western US Hiring freeze for new students. No timeframe, guess I'll check back in a couple weeks.