Profile For Big Mike Rookie Driver

Great review man! I should be starting next week i have a cdl. But flatbed is where im choosing to work. How much is the tarp pay and additional stop pay?

So I haven't been very active on here and I actually miss this site. I have been very busy and haven't had much time for anything. I have completed about 3 months solo with Prime Inc now in the flatbed division and am currently on hometime. I now will have internet access on the truck so I really want to become a more active member here on the forum. After 3 months solo I can now give a better opinion on this company and am more knowledgeable about the workings of the company. This may be a long post but I will give my honest review and opinion on working here.

I am glad first off that I chose the flatbed division. I have become a lot more active and have actually lost quite a bit of weight since becoming a flatbedder. This is actually a win/win. Our company doesn't have very many flatbed drivers so honestly there is a ton of freight for us to move. As a company driver my fleet manager keeps me super busy on a really bad week I run about 2800 miles. Most weeks I easily run 3200-3400 miles. With the mileage pay and the extra pay such as stop off pay, tarp pay, or even shorthaul pay my lowest paychecks average about $1200 a week before taxes. So if you are willing to run, work hard, and manage your clock wisely you can earn a lot of money here even as a rookie. We seem to have a good mix of freight and so far only about 50% of my loads are tarped. I carry a lot of pipe and equipment such as mini Cats and bull dozers which are nice and easy.

As far as the running area you will be all over the country. I did have a few weeks where I was stuck in the Northeast loop. It wasn't so bad but it got old kind of quick. I messaged my FM and was like I love you man but please get me out of this New England loop. He was like no problem I got you and my next load was to Colorado and that was that. On the flatbed side some of the loads are scheduled a little tight because of the time sensitive nature of some of the loads but as long as you keep the door closed and manage your clock wisely it's doable. I have never been asked or expected to do anything impossible. Actually a lot of times my FM will message me when he sends me a load assignment and ask if I can make it work or if he needs to move the appointment. I look at is as me and him are a team and we want each other to be successful.

The only issue I have had since coming to work for Prime is the hometime. It seemed no matter how long I would stay out he would only get me home long enough for a 34 hour reset. One day I was in Springfield and went upstairs and talked to him about it and he looked and was like wow in the 6 months you have been here (training included) you have only been home 7 days. He just didn't realize it. Again communication is key. So I am now on hometime and he is actually letting me take a week at home. It seems to have been worked out. I don't expect a lot just if I stay out 4 weeks I want 3-4 days at home and we cleared that up.

Honestly I am still very happy with my choice to start with Prime Inc. After my year is up and my contract is over I still have no intention of leaving this company. They have worked for me and have made me a good amount of money and have treated me more than fair with everything. Even when I make stupid rookie mistakes my FM assures me he has seen much worse and not to give it a second thought. I would urge anyone coming in to at least consider Prime. I would be happy to answer any questions anyone has about Prime or our flatbed division.