Prime Leasing Questions

I've done the researich between company and leasing drivers and I really want to go through with leasing. Do they give dedicated lease driver training or are lease drivers metaphorically thrown to the wolves. Any and as much info would be appreciated. Thank you very much and keep the Shiney side up.

Reaper...how long have you been driving a truck?

I'm only asking because the moderators have said that you should usually wait a year or two to learn the business before you lease.

I'm only asking because the moderators have said that you should usually wait a year or two to learn the business before you lease.

Totally on-point. Not sure where the OP did his research, darn sure it wasn't here.

Would highly advise against going lease operator or owner operator your first year of driving.

Reaper...unless I am mistaking, based on you eight posts you have yet to start school and training with Prime.

Please do not consider this to be disrespectful, but you do not know enough to even consider leasing at this point. Search on past threads on the leading topic, read what has been written.

Get a full year of experience before considering this.

It is the policy of the board to NOT DISCUSS LEASING - other than to recommend that folks new to the industry not concern themselves with it during their first year (or two) to enable them to focus on the safe, efficient and legal way to become a CDL Tractor Trailer operator.

There ARE folks on the board that DO lease - and they, out of respect for board policy will not discuss it here.

So Reaper - while we can debate the ups and downs of leasing, or even ask you WHY you seem to have your heart set on it - we WON'T.

We would STILL RECOMMEND YOU GET SOME WHEEL TIME UNDER YOUR BELT - worry about getting that ALL IMPORTANT FIRST YEAR DONE. DO THIS before entering into a long-term commitment that may or may not give you any advantages over just driving someone elses equipment and coming home with a paycheck and no responsibilities/worries other than getting from Point A to B on time, without running anything over.

Rick

Rick wrote to Reaper:

It is the policy of the board to NOT DISCUSS LEASING - other than to recommend that folks new to the industry not concern themselves with it during their first year (or two) to enable them to focus on the safe, efficient and legal way to become a CDL Tractor Trailer operator.

There ARE folks on the board that DO lease - and they, out of respect for board policy will not discuss it here.

So Reaper - while we can debate the ups and downs of leasing, or even ask you WHY you seem to have your heart set on it - we WON'T.

We would STILL RECOMMEND YOU GET SOME WHEEL TIME UNDER YOUR BELT - worry about getting that ALL IMPORTANT FIRST YEAR DONE. DO THIS before entering into a long-term commitment that may or may not give you any advantages over just driving someone elses equipment and coming home with a paycheck and no responsibilities/worries other than getting from Point A to B on time, without running anything over.

Rick

Reaper,...Rick's answer is 100% crystal clear accurate and true.

I've had experiance through my dad and my grandpa learning through them, riding with them in the trucking industry. I've also listened to numerous YouTube truckers offering their recommendations about company vs lease. I understand the board is against talking about lease, I was only trying to talk about the training (if any) for lease drivers. I'm trying to continue my family's history of truck driving and become an o/o in honor of my late son. I was hoping going a lease program through prime was a step towards that goal.

I've had experiance through my dad and my grandpa learning through them, riding with them in the trucking industry. I've also listened to numerous YouTube truckers offering their recommendations about company vs lease. I understand the board is against talking about lease, I was only trying to talk about the training (if any) for lease drivers. I'm trying to continue my family's history of truck driving and become an o/o in honor of my late son. I was hoping going a lease program through prime was a step towards that goal.

And it may very well be.

But watching youtube truckers, and doing ride-alongs with dad and gramps - do not a trucker make.

While I am sure there is some training there for lease drivers, as far as paperwork requirements which differ from company drivers - again - WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU DEDICATE AT LEAST YOUR FIRST YEAR TO LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A TRUCK AND HOW TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY

If I appear to be YELLING AT YOU - that's because I AM. You have NO IDEA what it's like to work in this industry, by watching youtube, Ice Road Truckers - or sitting in a jump seat. There's no real way of being nice about it any more.

You have no idea what it's like to be working against a clock, and have to decide to shut down (and maybe be late) because you are too exhausted from having to sit and burn your clock at a shipper that took his sweet ass time getting you loaded. WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT making a payment, additional paperwork and regulatory requirements, etc.

So - to answer your question - there is going to be training from the company with regards to operating as a lease driver. There may even be "optional business classes".

No disrespect to your family, your late son (RIP) and the zillions of youtube experts out there. You seem to be HARD SET on doing what you want to do, despite the careful advice built from this board, built upon the decades of experience of members - including some that have OWNED THEIR OWN FLEETS and are now company drivers.

GO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

Best of luck to you...

Rick