A PSA For Those Considering Prime Inc.

Roger got sent home for being on a med that the company doesn't accept for liability purposes.

The only real issue that most folks have with that - is that it would be REALLY NICE if they were to TELL PEOPLE THE MEDS THEY ARE ON WILL GET THEM SENT HOME - before bringing them in for orientation.

Which would REALLY SUCK - if the particular applicant had given up employment and housing, and was basically nearly broke and homeless when they showed up for orientation.

Now - previous discussions with drivers that have had similar experiences, stated that Prime could (would) not tell them if their meds would disqualify them from being approved to drive - because to do so would leave them open to claims of discrimination.

Now - I'm no saying that this practice is RIGHT (or wrong) - it JUST IS.

So the best WE CAN DO here at TT - is attempt to compile in independent list of "no fly meds", so that folks can be informed, and maybe save themselves the bus ride (and ride home).

We can demonize Prime all we want for this practice - but since it is a KNOWN QUANTITY - it just is, what it is. The FACT IS, that Prime (Swift, and a number of other companies) give more people their FIRST JOBS in a new career, than any of the other (so-called) "sainted companies".

We tend for favor them - because most folks, after overcoming some initial hurdles - have had some pretty positive experiences with them. These overwhelmingly outweigh the negative ones.

Rick

How are these companies, like prime, On previous heart issues? Issues that happened over 10years, and no longer on any meds?

Larry, that's not a problem. It's these psycho-tropic meds that are problematic. If you can pass the physical and the drug test you should be fine. If you are no longer on the meds you don't even have to disclose them.

Just had the concern as one place, not sure if it was here, JP, or RoadMaster, asked specifically about an MI. I did answer that I had but over 10 years ago, ( installed a stint as a precaution ) but no issues since. Just did not want to get there, and be turned around due to an old issue.

Wow Oldschool's. "A fly on the wall that doesn't even get noticed"

I'm going to use this one. And remember this. The ultimate put down.

Just had the concern as one place, not sure if it was here, JP, or RoadMaster, asked specifically about an MI. I did answer that I had but over 10 years ago, ( installed a stint as a precaution ) but no issues since. Just did not want to get there, and be turned around due to an old issue.

Best thing to do is get documentation from you doctor BEFORE you go. On my app I think they asked about drugs going back 3/years. I took effexor after my sis died for a couple months. It was 2011. They didn't care cause it was "situational".

I know they sent two people home.. One for really high blood pressure and one for high sugar in the urine. He claimed he was never diabetic so he was retested. The glucose test was still high so they sent him home for a month to bring doctors notes back.

The thing about orientation that people don't get is that you are NOT guaranteed a job cause you show up. You are not guaranteed anything. You are not an employee until you get that CDL. People complaining about life changing aspects are just as likely to fail the CDL test and be in the same boat as being sent home for medical. Yes I agree they should have local doctors do the exams before they bring the students in.

But its not my call. Best thing to do is bring records. Any letter from a doctor saying you had no episodes OE ailments is the last... So many years.

The sign read "Absolutely no recruiting is allowed at any Missouri Department of Motor Vehicle Offices"

That's what I saw when I Got my Class C CDL Permit last week. I'm a lowly bus driver working my way up thru the ranks from a Class E ultimately to a Class A Permit. I still sit with the ordinary people at the truck stop. I'm not allowed in the Drivers area yet!

Yes it is true I know nothing about the trucking industry other than I worked for a company in the beef industry for six years who trucks their manufactured product across the lower 48 states. They are one of the top ten suppliers of ground beef in the country. If you ever ate a Wendys hamburger or some of the other fast food hamburgers they probably made it for them. They stood up to a big corporation like walmart and weren't afraid to tell them to take a hike when they offered them a bum deal to supply their stores with hamburger.

I did a lot of work bringing this transport company up to speed with new computer systems and technology thru the years. Does the word Qualcomm ring a bell? This company was one of the first in the industry to embrace this new technology before it became an industry standard. I helped them roll it out to their fleet of trucks. I spent a lot of time in the office and out in the repair facility. I got to know the people who worked there pretty well from the top to the bottom of the organization. I'm very good friends with the Vice President of the company. I've had great conversations with the office people, safety officer, dispatchers, mechanics and drivers. Yes I'm just a fly on the wall to Prime yet I do have a little bit of insight into how the trucking industry works.

No they are not a successful mega carrier like Prime. They are a small yet humble company in comparison. One thing I can honestly say though is that they do have a sense of integrity and fairness in how they treat people. This is what the owner ( a just and successful business man ) instilled in them from the beginning, to do what is right. They are crying for drivers like the rest of the industry. They aren't afraid of being sued because of discrimination and will tell you straight up before they hire you if you can actually work for them or not. They value your time and effort and treat you like a human being.

The opening line in this reply is akin to the fact that there is a serious shortage of qualified drivers in the trucking industry. I'm not here to demonize Prime in the least. They are doing what most other companies are trying to do, fill their needs anyway they can or be swallowed up by the competition. That doesn't justify their hiring practices or any other company for that matter and is not the way people deserve to be treated.

Where does this mind set of success at all costs for the company the heck with the guy on the bottom rung of the ladder ( the driver ) come from anyway?

I'm a speck on the wall to be sure. I'm not afraid to speak up for the working man though and I myself personally prefer to work for a company that has some respect for me as a person. A company where I'm not just a "Human Resource" like a piece of steel or other raw material. A place were I can stick around for awhile.

As a prime driver I can tell you that prime is like a family... We have a freaking day care center in our terminal we are so family oriented. We are treated really well and you would know that if you read any of my posts. Parties, bonuses, rewards, free meals. Movie theaters basketball courts great dispatchers great mechanics. If you think prime is horrible.. Then you wouldn't survive at a truly bad company. My mother insists that I sound like I'm on vacation as opposed to my last job.

You are confused. Orientation. Is NOT a job offer. It is an interview. This and the other drivers WERE told straight up BEFORE they were hired..... I know this because you can't get hired at prime until you get your CDL. Until that moment you are an interviewee. They can NOT offer you a job for ANY reason including attitude. One woman was so obnoxious to everyone she was never offered a chance to test out be cause she was not "prime material" due to her constant nastiness to other drivers and trainers.

What you are stating is that ALL employers must hire everyone they interview? No. They don't.

It might be inconvenient to people to go there and get rejected but NO promises of job offers were made...... And that is in writing of the written contract I have. The fact that they reject people but still offer a chance to come back after certain steps are made shows they are not evil.

Keep in mind that each week they get about 100 people in orientation and by the end of the week 20% is left due to medical, criminal, and drug failure reasons. By the end of training about 10% is left.

The competition for these jobs is fierce and too many people take it lightly. Yes there is always a demand for drivers. However not everyone can be a driver.

How many people does your meat plant interview and not hire?

How many people does your meat plant interview and not hire?

That I can't honestly say.

The name of the company is Birchwood Transport a division of Kenohsa Beef International for those who are Interested.

And thank you for sharing the contractual information concerning orientation and virtues of working for your company.

At the end of the day it is nice to be able to sit at the TT round table and have a civil discussion about the concerns of the trucking industry without being insulted.

As a prime driver I can tell you that prime is like a family... We have a freaking day care center in our terminal we are so family oriented. We are treated really well and you would know that if you read any of my posts. Parties, bonuses, rewards, free meals. Movie theaters basketball courts great dispatchers great mechanics. If you think prime is horrible.. Then you wouldn't survive at a truly bad company. My mother insists that I sound like I'm on vacation as opposed to my last job.

You are confused. Orientation. Is NOT a job offer. It is an interview. This and the other drivers WERE told straight up BEFORE they were hired..... I know this because you can't get hired at prime until you get your CDL. Until that moment you are an interviewee. They can NOT offer you a job for ANY reason including attitude. One woman was so obnoxious to everyone she was never offered a chance to test out be cause she was not "prime material" due to her constant nastiness to other drivers and trainers.

What you are stating is that ALL employers must hire everyone they interview? No. They don't.

It might be inconvenient to people to go there and get rejected but NO promises of job offers were made...... And that is in writing of the written contract I have. The fact that they reject people but still offer a chance to come back after certain steps are made shows they are not evil.

Keep in mind that each week they get about 100 people in orientation and by the end of the week 20% is left due to medical, criminal, and drug failure reasons. By the end of training about 10% is left.

The competition for these jobs is fierce and too many people take it lightly. Yes there is always a demand for drivers. However not everyone can be a driver.

How many people does your meat plant interview and not hire?

What she said!

Also, the company spends thousands of dollars bringing every trainee in, feeding and housing them. All of this for an interview. They then are going to spend 1000s training you for your CDL , all for no guarantee of return on their investment. If you fail out (hard to do with the training you get) you get a ticket home, no harm, no foul. A pretty good deal imho.

I have had a lot of jobs in my life, from Healthcare to aircraft maintenance, and I have rarely been treated this well. Especially not for an interview!