Prime charges all drivers for their flatbed equipment whether company or l/p. I started at prime in the refer division because of this.
They do that because drivers would sell their equipment at the truck stop and claim it was lost/stolen. Since they started having the drivers buy the equipment, the amount of stuff getting stolen dropped dramatically. Besides, they'll buy the equipment back when you leave.
So all Prime drivers have to pay for the misdeeds of a few? That policy is BS for a few reasons. First, company drivers usually have no choice in the freight they haul. So if I'm forced to haul wire mesh that will #### up my straps, or a tarped machinery load that is impossible to blanket and tape every little edge and corner, you can't put me in the hook for damaged equipment. It's YOUR freight that I had no choice in hauling. And an even more important point is that the owner of the means of production assumes more risk for a greater possible reward. A company driver does not own the means of production, he does not profit from risk, so why the hell should he on the hook for the downside of risk?
If i recall, the total cost was between $3000-$4000. Taken out at a set amount weekly that I cannot remember. Ms. Jamie is correct in that you coul sell it back, deeply discounted of course, or keep it when you leave provided it was paid off. I am glad I chose Swift. I have enjoyed working here more than my time at Prime. No issue with Prime, they can do as they choose with their policies but I have found Swift to be a fit for me. I have had zero issues trading in old, worn, or torn equipment.
I was talking with a new flatbed driver, six months into running solo for Swift. He did his initial training in a van, then took the 5 day securement class and if I understand correctly he didn't have to go out with a trainer after that. One thing got my attention is he said he's averaging well over 3000 miles per week, upwards of 3500. Is that true for all you flatbedders? If I ever tire of mentoring and want to solo for a while maybe I should consider flatbed, I'd enjoy the physical work.
Yep miles are there. I ran 3700 miles from Mon the 4th to Mon the 11th. Killed my 70 but that's besides the point. They keep you rolling.
I tried going flatbed out of Minnesota two years ago when I had a brief spell driving with my lp buddy. They made sure to tell me that they wouldn't send me to the flatbed side...I started on flatbed elsewhere, but I could have made more change running swift back then. Not so much now.
