Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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From what gathered from other drivers and company’s some pay a flat rate added to your base pay for all miles so it eliminates the need for more pay on just hazmat while others pay for just the hazmat load and some pay like you said 20$ etc. Don’t get me wrong Prime is great but as a company driver my fleet manager and the staff I’ve spoken to have told me theirs no incentive for hazmat, tanker isn’t offered in the west. I was told by one person to move divisions. I’m just unsure as of now so I wanted to get input on ideas because I’m on track for a 1 year good performance known as Prime time certified.
So, follow Rainy's advise. She has been with Prime for 3 years and knows how to get things done there. If it's more money you want, how much?
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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I’m based out of th SLC terminal because of me living in CA. and during training prior to PSD I had a tankers endorsement but I was told by the guy who does orientation tanker isn’t offered in the west coast. So it was reefer or flat bed. Since getting my license I added doubles and hazmat so when I asked my fleet manager about hazmat pay. They said that their isn’t any incentive or extra per mile pay so I would just be doing Prime a favor by being more available to run hazmat but I would not get any more pay. So I just left it at that.
Hazmat at Prime is an extra $50 per load in reefer. So i dont know who told you that there was no bonus for company drivers. Ask another dispatcher or even your payroll person. I never got hazmat cause i didnt want to be bothered with it.
also, if you want tanker, i would call the switch board and ask for a tanker FM and ask questions. Icecold here is tanker and says it is NJ, GA and chicago in general, but goes other places as well. they have to get you home for home time, and i know a tanker team who had an accident in california, so again, not sure who gave you info.
ask someone other than your FM. your fm.is reefer only and might not want to lose a good driver if you switch divisions.
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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They told me that they don’t offer any incentive for what I want to do. I’ve considered applying to other carriers like ABF ESTES or Old dominion etc with one year of OTR they start accepting applications and Prime does have a tanker division but they only have it for the east coast and since I’m in California I can’t apply to be in it. It’s only flat bed and reefer and I’m currently in reefer division
Be careful what you wish for.
Why not consider a different division of Prime? You’ve already got some time and performance established.
When I drove for Schneider I only got $25 for hauling the occasional hazmat load. You gonna jump ship for maybe $150/year? I’d expect tanker (doesn’t Prime have a tanker division?) will be much different and offer higher pay because the work is more demanding.
I hope you find what you’re looking for, but if you can find it within your present employer, I’d stay with them.
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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Prime doesn’t offer any incentive for hazmat loads I was told I could move them and it would help them give me more loads but I won’t be given a cent or two for hazmat loads. Other companies give you something for taking those loads when you have them or they give you a higher cent per mile for all miles so when you do take them you make more. I’m a company driver so I don’t make percentage or anything like that. I’m mileage based
Who won't pay you a bonus for hazmat?
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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What are top 10-20 rookie / student driving mistakes in first 6-12 months ?
I’m 1 year in and these are what I’ve personally experienced that I would say in my opinion others might agree with.
1. Route planning: Always check an atlas never 100% rely on any GPS (use a current year atlas) look around at all signs it will give arrows for truck routes and low clearance locations. 2. If you miss your turn. Do not panic look for a safe and legal place to park. Also look around for truck route signs and main streets that are big enough for you to turn in and work your way around. It’s best to stop and rethink and use your head. I sometimes use google maps satellite view to show me how many lanes their are to make sure I’m in my correct lane and use main streets to make wide turns.
3. Any time I go to shipper or receiver I look at the satellite or street view to check the truck entrance and to see how backing would be since some places are more tighter to maneuver in.
4. Never back into a spot if your uncertain. It’s best to reset your angle or to figure out an easy spot to maneuver in. I always pick a spot alone to practice my backing in where I have 2-3 spaces of room to work with.
5. Ask questions I have asked other drivers for advice if I’m never certain the old school driver and experienced men and women who have been on the road will have tips and advice for you that may come in use later.
6. If your unsure about a turn it’s best to take it wider when sage to do so because it’s best to make it around something safely then to narrowly miss or to under shoot a turn.
7. Always know where your tandems are because that’s how you will tell how much to cut or to take a turn wide.
8. Keep a cool head there’s going to be some people who really get irritated by rookies like us but the majority are very helpful and know what it’s like to be in our shoes and will help. Keep a cool head at all times.
9. Always watch other drivers and speak to some because you never stop learning on the job everyday isn’t the same.
what are top 10-20 rookie / student driving mistakes in first 6-12 months ? i am hoping the answers are more specific like "downshifting mistakes" or "low clearance mistakes" or "not reading all the signs" or "not preparing for the route enough" or "bad backup setups/tips", "not setting tandems / weight balance correctly", etc. some of the ones like "not focusing on a parking arrangement" in your 10th hour of the 11 hour day is also along that line as well. thank you jt
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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Advice preparing for company CDL
Use DMV genie helped me pass my endorsements and 80% similar to test I’m CA only difference was the wording But apps won’t do much help if you don’t study the hand book. Or other things in this post as mentioned.
Retired army would you mind telling me what app that is?? Also where would I get Daniels pre trip? Is it on the high road? I’m only finishing the safe driving tonight. Thanks.
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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Advice preparing for company CDL
Get your endorsements prior to showing up. Get your permit in hand. Get your tankers,hazmat (fingerprints and background check with TSA $89 cost), doubles/triples. In the long run it will help you move on if you choose to use those with other companies. I drove for Prime good company. Above average pay after training from what I was told by other companies.
Question for somebody looking to get into trucking and going to a company sponsored school. Right now I’m looking at Roehl or Prime and I’m probably going to want to start in July or maybe August. What can I do leading up to the school to make sure I’m 100 percent prepared going into this? I want absolutely a 0 percent chance at failing. I have to pass and get my CDL. I have been studying the high road and will be taking my test here in a few weeks. Should I completely memorize the pre trip? Anything else? Thanks truckers. Failure isn’t an option. I want to be prepared.
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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So my contract is almost up with Prime Inc and I was wondering does trucking have pay outs for unused sick time or vacation time ? I have both and am unaware of how the industry works I’m tempted to leave to look for a new job. I have all my endorsements. Tank/doubles/hazmat but they won’t pay me incentive for running hazmat. Advice ?? I want to run doubles or tankers. Have 1 year with Prime.
Posted: 6 years, 1 month ago
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4 months solo. I have questions?
All that was told to me by the inspection tech was that I would be shut down but when I went into the station the CHP officer told me to get it fixed but they did hold onto my license until I got written approval from an officer. And the backing accident wasn’t disabling any vehicle it was just chipped a small part of the bump off the other driver and scratched it as well no bigger then a fist.
Rob yes the tow away is not cmv specific. It says 1 or more of the involved vehicles requiring to be towed due to diabling damage. Now if a person just wants their vehicle towed and its not diabled at the scene that would not count.
Jose I get the fix it ticket concept. Those do not go on your driving record, however I’m still not clear on the out of service. Did DOT issue you an out of service order besides the fix it ticket, or did they tell you to park it till it was fixed without actually putting you out of service. There is a huge difference between the two situations
Posted: 5 years, 10 months ago
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Leaving after contract
She’s a trainer ? I did look up her post that was interesting but with everyone’s input I appreciate it . But how does everyone choose where is best for their career. Miles? Percentage ? Being a company driver I prefer it this way to experience the road and when I spoke to Prime they were telling me I should lease and I think I’m not ready for a lease cause of payments and lack of knowledge in the industry I’m trying to position my self to work my way up to something like that but I want to gradually do it.