I hear ya there IP. Right now I'm still in the research and inquire mode of finding a new company. The guy I'm currently working for his ship is sinking and a a personal favor I'm kind riding it out to it's done. I've worked for him and his dad for several years and they did a lot for me back when things where good for them. I'm just not sure when or where I may decide to go when I leave here.
n1xrf, I can't speak for Prime. Haven't been there. But I've been elsewhere and am currently at Stevens. Since you're an experienced driver, you're going to look at things different than a newbie. Stevens is great for new drivers just beginning. Good training, good equipment and lots of assistance. But it can become a pain as you grow. There are times when I want to throw the towel in and go elsewhere, but then I look at my paystubs and talk with other friends and decide, 'better the devil I know than the one I don't.' I've done well here, but if I were starting over, I would pick a company that caters to experienced drivers. Less hand holding, more freight. Stevens concentrates on teaching people how to be good drivers. Other companies concentrate on moving freight. I'm an O/O here and that tends to be at the top of the food chain. So since I'm known, I get good loads, make good money and am comfortable. But a new (experienced) driver may find it too constrictive and just the period of learning a new system may be too frustrating. I have a friend that drives for Prime and when we compare notes, it's much the same. Different colored trucks. I don't know if that helps, but there it is anyway.
Just curious about the lite trucks. I know they're smaller (obviously) no passenger seat, etc. Are they that bad? What else is wrong with them. Not being a smart #####.. seriously just curious about them. Not a lot of info out there. Thanks!
The lightweights have a passenger seat, and one bunk. They're about 18" shorter than a condo, and the 2 vertical storage cabinets that would have been directly behind the driver's seat are not there. In the Cascadia version, it's more cabinet space at the rear of the sleeper above the berth, and the ceiling is at about 6' above the floor since it's a mid-roof design. The Prostar has more vertical room, and additional storage space. Many folks get the passenger seat removed to place a fridge there, and some folks will secure a microwave to the fridge with binder straps. It's a slightly smaller closet than the small closet that the condo is... neither a condo or lightweight's cab come even close to being the size of a big-box store in interior volume... so IMO, it's mostly whining about, "How come I didn't get somethin' bigger." Now the Peterbilt version was tiny, and was the first edition of the lightweight program. Those trucks had a statistical tendency to roll-over more frequently than the rest of the trucks in Prime's fleet. Because of this, the majority of them have been retired early, and are no longer acquired for use by Prime. I believe that the bad mojo surrounding lightweights mostly came from that particular truck.
IP, not trying to be a wise guy but if you have several years driving experience, why would you want to go back to a mega carrier/starter company? I mean, both Prime and Stevens are excellent companies to start your career with but I wouldnt want to stay there. So many smaller companies that have better benefits and pay much better out there that are looking for drivers with a few years experience. After only 8 months with Stevens I found a great job making much more than Stevens and plan on staying here a long time. The 3 owners (siblings) all know me by name as well as everyone in the office. Benefits are great. Yada yada yada...
It all depends on what you're looking for. It's a fact of economic life that the next slowdown/recession/depression is on the way. The majors are much more likely to survive a serious one that small trucking operations are. Now having said that there is almost always another driving job on the next corner... except in '08/'09. We see a lot of experienced drivers who were laid off then coming back and asking why o why are they required to spend a lot of money on a "refresher" course, and not even the small companies will touch them. Once you've been with a major a few years, at many places the wage and benefits get a lot better than you'll see having just walked in the front door. And like I said, it depends. Especially on what you want out of this. Just a job? You're probably in the best place you can be nascar... until the economy folds. Let's face it... so many folks are afflicted with "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome... at least until you get there. I want a lot more than just a job, and not too long from now I'll own my truck free and clear. In the meantime, I make a pile o' money for working at a major... that last part can (and will) be improved upon. I know I made a wisecrack about Stevens a bit further back, and there's nothing wrong with driving for Stevens. You guys jump through more hoops than I care to (after talking with a number of your lease drivers)... and the starting company per-mile rate is just average. So? If it fit's ya, wear it until it doesn't. I know folks over at Swift who make a very good living, and wouldn't trade with any of us. So? And I know guys with their own trucks who drive their heiny's off every day to get to about where I am per mile, but make more because they drive their heiny's off. If that's what turns your crank, go for it. Nascarchuck, what's your per-mile rate if you don't mind answering?
I understand! Job security means alot! Me, I started with Stevens and stayed 8 months. I then started hauling cars and been doing so for almost 2 years (Feb) now. Currently Im at .67 per loaded mile and $6.20 per unit (car hauled). Stevens was good to me but I just couldnt make a paycheck there and I also HATED the NE. I swore (and turned down a job because) I would never go back NE in a truck again! Luckily I love my job and the people that I work for. Good luck in whatever path you take!
Now that's not bad, and I know a lot of car haulers. Wouldn't want to do it myself, and driving in NE isn't any big thing. Heck... it's easier miles than LA on a Friday afternoon!
I would rather haul cars than anything else. A little more work and being out in the weather, but I go to the same places where the people there know me and I know them. Im home most every night, weekends off, etc. This job has some great perks but I work hard. I dont like the NE mostly because there isnt many places to park and there is just so much traffic. I really never had any problems in LA. I drive Dallas traffic now daily so I guess that Im used to traffic now.
I'm the one in between Stevens and prime. I like the Job security idea behind a mega carrier. I currently work for a guy hauling cars and heavy equipment.. I like doing both, but I'm tired of never knowing what's going on or how long this guy is gonna be able to stay in the business. I haven't had a load of cars paying a decent rate in forever. He wants to only haul his own cars. We have are own authority but he woul rather me jut haul his stuff and not paying loads. But he wants to complain cuz he's not making money. I'm tired of having to always keep working on his truck cu he won't send it to a shop. I don't mean simple repairs like lite bulbs and stuff, I'm talking rebuilding the back box of the tranny, axle seals and adjusting the overhead. Tommorow I have to replace the exhaust cuz the pipe off the y pipe broke and fell off about two weeks ago. I'm tired of bending rules and regs cuz he's too cheap to follow them. If I refuse to either drive or work on the truck it's find a new job. I can't believe I left my lease at Prime to return to this moron. But I will say he did a better job than a recruiter to talk me into coming back to him. Promised a new truck and car trailer, more money and insurance. I got none of the above. Sorry bout the rambling. I'm tired of playing by cheap ### peoples games and want a solid dependable company to work for.
