Comments By Aram KURD

I understand. Yea I've applied to both companies and have a prehire with both of them. I talked to a recruiter from both companies and they both had good things to say. I honestly just don't wanna make a decision I'll regret. I want to pick the company that I can spend a good few years with for the time being.

Aram; every company offers detention pay. It's very, very rare you'll ever use it because it requires on-duty status to collect. Best not to use it and safe your on-duty hours for driving.

Second...and something we state with great frequency here; the information on the thrasher-net is not worth the concern or consideration you are giving it.

Apply to both companies.

Thank you Rainy! that thread was a good read. I'm torn between Stevens Transport and Prime Inc. now. At Stevens they're offering me $4500 back for my tuition, and a $2500 sign on bonus paid out over 5 months. They also offer detention pay, layover pay and are strictly delivering to distribution centers. They're also guaranteeing 50k in my first year. I really like their trucks as well lol. I've seen both good and bad reviews, but the bad reviews were mostly mad and angry drivers. I still haven't made my mind up. I really appreciate your input and information.

You need to take into consideration a few things...many who go through PSD borrow up to $200 per week and that gets paid back. the chains, load locks etc all get deducted. You can buy used chains and get load locks from empty trailers to cut costs. Did they add refrigerators or satellite TVs right away? that gets deducted. Were they getting solo or family insurance? the health insurance drops significantly after the first year. i now pay $50 a week for ALL the insurances for a single. I think it was $65 per week for just the health the first year.

Also were they company or lease? Did they pay a pet fee ($300 first payment and $50 a week for $1000).

And coming in with the CDL gets you tuition reimbursement during training. That can help offset whatever costs you fear.

i don't believe for one minute that they did not GROSS $700. the deductions will reduce the take home.

My first week solo:

2572 miles Gross $1061

after taxes, chains, insurance, borrowed PSD food money

Take home: $753

----------- after two years my bad check which is usually home time or shop time ..

2046 Miles Gross $960 Put $80 into my 401k after taxes health, cision, life and disability

brought home $707

on a good week: 2944 Miles

Gross $1439 put $125 into 401k take home $1186

those are from recent checks in a condo, not running the Northeast (remember LW get an extra 5cpm and Northeast in both trucks get an extra 5cpm)

I posted a thread awhile ago with my real numbers... including like 6 weeks of training pay...i averaged about $800 per week in 2016. By Jan 2017 i was averaging $1100 gross.

--------

average as a company team trainer was much higher.

My bad week was $1550 gross, my good week was $3200 gross.

heres my thread i did last year breaking down the numbers

Primw rookie pay

Rainy D. Diver Driver and Brett. I've been researching and watching videos about Prime. I've noticed when people graduate with their trainer and go solo they complain that their checks are actually even lower than the $600-$700 they get in training. My question is how long does that phase last? What weekly income can I expect as a company driver starting out at .42cpm. What do the raises look like. I know I could be asking a recruiter these questions but I don't think they would be as honest with me as you guys would be. I appreciate any info you guys can give me.

I'm on day 20 of my training at cds truck driving school. All I can say is DON'T be overwhelmed, you will have tough days where you think you won't get it but halfway through you'll have your "aha" moment where it will click. Until then the best thing you can do is memorize your pre trip. I recorded myself and replayed it to myself while going over the book. It definitely helps!! Congrats and good luck!

All I gotta say is wow!! Amazing pics, it's a shame this hasn't been updated. Those pictures were gold!! These types of adventures and, scenery around this beautiful country is why I want to get into trucking! Oh and the money too 😁

That thing is amazing!! Congratulations, I hope the one I get from Prime will be nice like that.

Congratulations!! I take mine Tuesday, wish me luck!!

I drove a LW for a little over a year. After training and all, the extra CPM helped get me caught back up financially.

I just went over 2 yrs here at Prime, and I enjoy it. I have minimal contact with people at the terminal, pretty consistent miles, and don't really sit much. (DCs will have you sitting though) You can always switch to another division if you like. We have a food grade tanker division, as well as flatbed. The only thing I've noticed that is different from others, is that we have to purchase our own securement devices and tire chains. Also, don't use the cheap truck stop load locks. Prime has their own that they want you to use.

The cost of securement devices is payroll deducted over time.

Awesome, thanks for the info. In think my minds made up about coming to prime now.

Gotcha, thank you both! You've really been a lot of help in clearing everything up for me. I wish they would've stuck with 10 speeds, but no worries, I'm 95% certain I'm going with Prime now! I really appreciate y'alls input!

I love Prime. Yes the pay is great, the miles are there. we have all the safety, on time bonuses, layover and detention Scott mentioned. we have various divisions, regional and dedicated if you get bored OTR. we get lots of perks and great terminals. The major down fall is the home time policy...which is similar to many other OTR companies. 1 day for every week out, so 4 weeks out and 4 days home. But you can take your truck home and take your home time anywhere in the country...so a mini vacation with prime as the travel agent lol.

keep in mind that most larger companies will have newer trucks. I have a 2016 that will be taken from me shortly for a new one. Safety will be a major concern for most large company and repairs not an issue. if i say i need somwething needs to be fixed, it gets fixed.

Prime pay is not 20 weeks at $600... i think it is 6 or 7 weeks for CDL holders coming from the outside. Then you get $700 until the truck does 40,000 team miles. So 4k to 5k miles a week time 8 to 9 weeks. then you go solo.

tuition reimbursment is also available.

just ask if you have any prime questions ;)

Thank you, Rainy. That's some great info right there, I appreciate it. I actually have a couple of questions. Are y'alls trucks still 10 speed or Autos? And do y'all deliver to distribution centers or stores? Also as a new recruit will I be "forced" to drive a light load truck or can I get a condo truck right away?

Hman, thanks I'll look them up.

Steve L. Thank you for the info.