The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Prime Inc.
Hey all, I've been a lurker on these forums for a few months now, and it seems almost every other thread is about either Swift or Pumpkin. I am looking to get my CDL through one of the companies and go OTR but can't decide on one.
I would only really consider Swift as a last resort, I have no tickets in 4 years, no DUI, never been arrested, etc. So I am pretty sure I won't have to sign my life away to them.
Pumpkin seems like a much better choice, except for a couple of things. If you train in Dallas, you have to sign an 18 month contract; no thanks. Also, can you really learn to be a safe driver in that short of a training program?
So on to my main question. I've been looking at Prime's RTC division for some time now and from what I've seen looks decent, but there simply aren't enough threads on here to get a "driver's eye perspective" on the company. The company promises that you'll be averaging 3200 miles per week, that seems a little fishy to me, seeing as CFI and Pumpkin only average 2500-2800 mpw.
Their training pay is 500 per week, same as SNI, but they keep you in training for 60,000 miles or more, that seems a little long to me. Once you finish training though, they start you at .30 cpm and move you up to .34 in fairly short order. Couple that with 3200 mpw average and thats decent earnings for a rookie driver.
I am well aware of the ugly side of Prime: the Fleece Purchase. I know to avoid it like the black death itself. I wouldn't sign a F/P if they strapped me down and held a gun to my head, so no worries there. The idea of paying 750 per week plus expenses for a truck that I will never own really doesn't appeal to me, I am shocked that anyone would sign something like that.
Has anyone here driven for Prime as a company driver? If so I would like to hear about your experiences there. Is a 3200 mpw average realistic, or is the recruiter spewing BS? Anyone else who has good or bad to say about Prime (RTC), I'd like to hear from you too.
Thanks,
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