Prime, any other drivers out there? Need advice badly.

[just_froggy]

As I sit here in this parking lot at the Pilot outside Indianapolis, I just can't help but think of this fine mess we are in. Yes, we had stupidly decided to try Prime. My fiance' has been on me about coming here for 3 years, and they way things are going back home and how our last company was (Werner) we figured at this point we have nothing to loose. I am an experienced driver, but I am not driving at this time, we wanted to see how things were going to work out here first. Ha! It's been a month and my fiance' is ready to clean out his truck already. First off, I think he is getting screwed with is paychecks. Don't ask me how or why, I am still trying to figure that out myself. I'm not 100% sure, but I am working on it. Our fleet manager is a total idiot. "Joe" (names have been changed to protect the stupid) either runs him good or bad. Here are some of his pays, not in order either: $800, $750, $91 (yes, $91 dollars), $181 (this week) one week in the hole, and next Friday probably will be too, and $450. The week in the hole, they charged him about $100 interest on the $200 he was in the hole for! Yes, $100 F*#%!@& dollars!!!! Thats ridiculous!! This week we just came off of hometime on Monday. A $500 run and a $600 are 2 of the 3 runs he has had this week. They were both less than 300 miles, which wouldn't be so bad, but we end up sitting for hours because we are to early to unload or they can't unload us early, and then "joe" takes his sweet ass time getting him another load. The one we are on now pays $1500, but after you figure everything, it's averaging about 70 cents a mile, and it is also a 2 stopper, one tonight up the road, and the other over in Ohio tomarrow. Which means he will have about 24 hours to get another load and dropped by the Tuesday 5 p.m deadline for trips to be paid this week. I doubt that is going to happen. So I am sure we will be in the hole on Friday and paying out the ***** for it the next Friday.

But here is the kicker. I have talked to several, and I mean several other Prime drivers since we have been here. All are happy and making good money. And none of them have "joe" as their fleet manager. So I think I have my fiancee' finally talked into it, but "joe" is going to be fired tomarrow. We have that option, thank god. We both really want to give this company a chance, but if a new fleet manager doesn't help, we are going to have to try another company.

I know, this post sounds more like me b*&#$ing and moaning, but I am just so ticked off at this point, and I am sure I have all bored you to dead and half of you haven't even read this post down to this point :? But, are there any other current for former Prime drivers who have thoughts on this situation? And please, nobody yell at us for doing this "fleece" purchase (ya, not even a purchase, we won't own the truck at the end of the lease) we are learning our lesson fast.

[namakanta]

i am not gona yell at you for doing the lease purchase.
but iam gona ask you why you would go in to a lease purchase with a company you know little about?
why not just be satisfied to work as a company driver till you feel out the company?
from your post it sounds like you run team. team co. drivers make good money or should.
leave the lease purchase to the drivers who have money in the bank and can absorb a bad month or two.
from my understanding prime has a walk away lease. so walk away and maybe transfer to the companey driver division.

[Skywalker]

I'm not even going to go there......

[century451]

If I understand you right...he is a solo and your along for the ride. Your dispatcher can make you or break you. Seems sometimes the low pay is an eye opener to get you to team drive but thats just my opinion. I made alot of money teaming. I look at the expenses right now and I believe his better alternative will be to go company. Drive on Primes dime and not yours. Good luck no mater what

[Ridge Runner]

I REALLY hate to be the one to say this:

Your join date here is 2004 and you didn't know any better than to try a Prime lease? Sorry guys, you should have KNOWN better. 30959529295 truck drivers can't be wrong.

[Elmdor]

Here's a thought ... maybe it's not entirely Prime's fault. I'll be the first to admit they aren't the best company out there and Leasing just doesn't make any sense, even if you're leasing a car. (IMHO Leasing anything is nothing but a fancy way of renting it)

From the inconsistencies you wrote, it sound like you just want someone to blame instead of taking responsibility. If you don't use the tools that are available to you and you drive the truck like it's F1 and/or make poor use of your time/hours, then yes you'll get a $50 paycheck and you don't really have anyone to blame but yourself. Prime didn't tell you to run the truck at 72MPH and race to the shipper early. You can't always get the $1.90 /mile load every time and you're probably not going to net $2,000 a week solo but it should even out at the end of the month.


Maybe you should just switch to the Flatbed or Tanker division. Flatbed you have to do tarping and strapping, which really isn't that hard, but the trade off is you never have to worry about lumpers and you can get unloaded in like 15 minutes, and almost always unloaded early. The only time I've had someone say they can't take a load early is because it was a retail store that wasn't open on Sundays. Plus glass loads pay $3 a mile

You could also just goto the company side too, but just remember that those lease drivers and team drivers seem to get priority on loads.

Edit: ohh I forgot to mention that company flatbed drivers only get $10 for tarping, lease gets $50 and they hate giving company drivers flatbed equipment and sneak it out of your paycheck (like if you need plastic corner protectors or you broke a chain) and you're forced to stay out for 4 weeks before you're allowed hometime which gets you one or two if your lucky days off, which is why I don't work there anymore.

[shortround]

i drive for prime as a lease operator on ref side not sure why your having the trouble you discribe.i always get good miles for the week yes i do get the radume short load but they pay more and that makes up for differnce.if you run hard and you get to stop early such as wally world dc you will sit they control this not prime you may need to call ahead find out if early is ok.also if joe is messing with yous get ride of joe apperntly joe has money cause his pay is dirrectly related to how he runs his board. also i always get the garuntee 85 cents per mile that they promised dont be afraid to talk to joes boss .i will say i here otheirs say freight is slowing down but as for me i dont see it they run me hard and iam making money good luck but dont just jump ship talk to someone and see whats wrong.

i always get the garuntee 85 cents per mile that they promised.

Wow!! .85 cpm to be your own boss!!! Where do I sign up?

LOL....85 cpm...you've got to be ****ing kidding me!!!!

[just_froggy]

Ya, I've been a member since 2004. I did my homework on Prime. I knew we were taking a risk. I've heard the good, the bad and the ugly on it. All I'm looking for is some advice from other current and past drivers with is this company on what to do about these lousy loads and this idiot fleet manager. And almost all I got was critisim. I know we have made a mistake, but it doesn't need to be rubbed in my face.

[mike3fan]

Ya, I've been a member since 2004. I did my homework on Prime. I knew we were taking a risk. I've heard the good, the bad and the ugly on it. All I'm looking for is some advice from other current and past drivers with is this company on what to do about these lousy loads and this idiot fleet manager. And almost all I got was critisim. I know we have made a mistake, but it doesn't need to be rubbed in my face.

Then change the one who is causing all the problems "Joe".If you think it could be better with a different manager,good luck.

[shortround]

i know 85 cents sounds real low was just letting him know that he should never get anything less from them because its in writing .i presonally dont run for that low amount etheir . he has the right to refuse any load he wants as a lease operator at prime. if he does refuse he will have to wait for anotheir load and should really no the freight coming out of that area as some are tougher to get out of then otheirs and pay scales are all over compare east coast to westcoast .but from what hes said so far i think joe is the problem .fire joe problem solved .

[just_froggy]

i know 85 cents sounds real low was just letting him know that he should never get anything less from them because its in writing .i presonally dont run for that low amount etheir . he has the right to refuse any load he wants as a lease operator at prime. if he does refuse he will have to wait for anotheir load and should really no the freight coming out of that area as some are tougher to get out of then otheirs and pay scales are all over compare east coast to westcoast .but from what hes said so far i think joe is the problem .fire joe problem solved .

He won't fire Joe. I don't know why, but I am on him 24/7 about it. I don't think he cares anymore. It doesn't matter anyway because we have decided to go home after Thanksgiving. We have some family that we have been planning to spend the holiday with that we normally wouldn't because they live in another part of the country. After that we are going home and we are cleaning out the truck. I think we can make money here, but my fiancee' is not going to run illegal to do it. Alot of the loads that he rejects pay good but there is no way that we can get it there legally or even close to legally, and that fine for running out of hours will come out of his pocket, not Joe's. We got another load yesterday like that. He rejected it, Joe got pissy, and we sat and sat while we waited for another one. It isn't as good, but at least we can get it there legal. I have come to the conclusion that these crappy loads are punishment from Joe for not taking the other ones. I tried to tell my fiancee' not to come to this company, but he had wanted to for about 3 years, and we are in a really rough spot right now, so we really had nothing to loose at this point. There are actually a few places back home that are hiring that are paying decent (which is shocking) so we are both going to see about those jobs. He said he is burned out from driving but I think he is more burned out about driving for one crappy company after another, and I won't drive without him. If we can't get hired anywhere, we are going to go somewhere company so that I can get six more months in, I need it so we can start trying to get into some of the better companies. So thats that. Oh, and I wasn't yelling at you either, Shortround, but I guess other people around here have never made a mistake.


Author Message
shortround Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject: cold forsty

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i know 85 cents sounds real low was just letting him know that he should never get anything less from them because its in writing .i presonally dont run for that low amount etheir . he has the right to refuse any load he wants as a lease operator at prime. if he does refuse he will have to wait for anotheir load and should really no the freight coming out of that area as some are tougher to get out of then otheirs and pay scales are all over compare east coast to westcoast .but from what hes said so far i think joe is the problem .fire joe problem solved .


mike3fan Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:29 am Post subject:

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just_froggy wrote:
Ya, I've been a member since 2004. I did my homework on Prime. I knew we were taking a risk. I've heard the good, the bad and the ugly on it. All I'm looking for is some advice from other current and past drivers with is this company on what to do about these lousy loads and this idiot fleet manager. And almost all I got was critisim. I know we have made a mistake, but it doesn't need to be rubbed in my face.


Then change the one who is causing all the problems "Joe".If you think it could be better with a different manager,good luck.


just_froggy Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:47 am Post subject:

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Ya, I've been a member since 2004. I did my homework on Prime. I knew we were taking a risk. I've heard the good, the bad and the ugly on it. All I'm looking for is some advice from other current and past drivers with is this company on what to do about these lousy loads and this idiot fleet manager. And almost all I got was critisim. I know we have made a mistake, but it doesn't need to be rubbed in my face.


ColdFrostyMug Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 12:30 am Post subject: Re: prime

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shortround wrote:
i always get the garuntee 85 cents per mile that they promised.


Wow!! .85 cpm to be your own boss!!! Where do I sign up?

LOL....85 cpm...you've got to be **** kidding me!!!!

[Ridge Runner]

Ya, I've been a member since 2004. I did my homework on Prime. I knew we were taking a risk. I've heard the good, the bad and the ugly on it. All I'm looking for is some advice from other current and past drivers with is this company on what to do about these lousy loads and this idiot fleet manager. And almost all I got was critisim. I know we have made a mistake, but it doesn't need to be rubbed in my face.

I didn't mean for it to be a "rubbing it in your face" kind of thing, but..... look at ALL the postings about Prime and/or leasing. What part of them didn't you understand? Go with ANY half-***** company as a company driver and you will be way better off than you are now. What is so hard to figure about that? I really do wish you luck. Do some research, ask some questions about the companies you think look good, and HEED that advice.
Look at this as a leason learned and grow from it.

Ridge

[Uturn2001]

To play devils advocate here, it sounds like to me that froggy tried to warn her fiancee but he would not listen and she has come here hoping to get some advice and try to salvage a bad situation.

One piece of advice I have, and this goes for anyone who wants to try to run their own business (regardless of what that bus. is) is that they need to take a proactive approach and not just sit back and try to "go with the flow" or put the success of their business in someone else's hands.

Going with the flow may work fine as an employee, but if you are going to be an owner/operator or a LP operator you are no longer an employee, you are now a business owner and you must alter your thinking and approach to doing things accordingly.

[nickbtubas]

how long has your fiance been driving??

[Ridge Runner]

To play devils advocate here, it sounds like to me that froggy tried to warn her fiancee but he would not listen and she has come here hoping to get some advice and try to salvage a bad situation.

One piece of advice I have, and this goes for anyone who wants to try to run their own business (regardless of what that bus. is) is that they need to take a proactive approach and not just sit back and try to "go with the flow" or put the success of their business in someone else's hands.

Going with the flow may work fine as an employee, but if you are going to be an owner/operator or a LP operator you are no longer an employee, you are now a business owner and you must alter your thinking and approach to doing things accordingly.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't catch that. Sorry Froggy, I didn't realise your position.

Like Uturn said; When you run a business you need to be PROACTIVE not RE-ACTIVE.

[shortround]

really didnt mean to come off as pro prime just trying to help yous out .look at it this way almost every large company has a post on here about good or bad .i really do feal for yous its to bad you got someone like joe just try to remember joe is only one of many at prime and while he chose to play games with your pay and life he may not represent prime as a company but joe as himself.have you considered going company side as you wouldn;t have joe as fleet manager you would be assinged to company side dispatch and would always know what your pay per mile is .also maybe team up on company side get your 6 mnths you want. just thought i would ask . i wish you both the best of luck and keep your heads up .

[just_froggy]

We are done. After we deliver on Monday, we are going home and cleaning out the truck and taking it back. Prime is a joke. Anyone who reads this and is considering Prime, please don't!! I have come to the conclusion that the drivers who said that they were making money run illegal alot.

[evertruckerr]

We are done. After we deliver on Monday, we are going home and cleaning out the truck and taking it back. Prime is a joke. Anyone who reads this and is considering Prime, please don't!! I have come to the conclusion that the drivers who said that they were making money run illegal alot.

Prepare yourself for that final statement. I've heard horror stories of $5000 to $10,000. They have all kinds of "bend over" clauses hidden in that contract.

Good Luck!

[shadowsknight]

I heard this from a Prime driver:

Please
Remeber
I
Mortgaged
Everything

I
Need
Cash



A Passmore driver pulling a Prime trailer is a driver that has passed his prime.