For Those With Prime, Inc Or Knowledge Of Company Driving.

So i recently got my permit, 3/12 to be exact and i leave for Primes orientation on Tuesday for Wednesday. My question is, as a company driver, i know you get 1 day home for 1 week out, however, do you have to come home after 4 weeks or can you keep trucking? Truth is, i have nothing to come back to, all my stuff is in storage and my mail goes to my grandparents place so that's covered. My apartment lease was finished this month and didn't really feel the need to keep it since i'm going to make OTR my life.

The only debt i really have is my car (13k'ish) and student loans (3.5k), the grace period on my SL ends in June so i should have that paid off and as for my car, i plan on paying that off by the end of the year so i'll be zeroed out for debt. I suppose my end game for now is to stay with prime for a while, as company driver while gaining experience, and then maybe lease purchase, or go through a bank and get my own truck. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

You're never required to take time off. When you do want some time off just send your dispatcher a message informing them where you want to take it. Weekend in Vegas? Daytona 500? Mardi gras in New Orleans? I'm sure your dispatcher will love that you're not expecting to get home frequently.

We highly discourage leasing or owning a truck. We have a few members here that do it. Believe it or not usually make LESS money than company drivers after expenses are taken.

Please stick around and keep us updated on how training goes.

You're never required to take time off. When you do want some time off just send your dispatcher a message informing them where you want to take it. Weekend in Vegas? Daytona 500? Mardi gras in New Orleans? I'm sure your dispatcher will love that you're not expecting to get home frequently.

We highly discourage leasing or owning a truck. We have a few members here that do it. Believe it or not usually make LESS money than company drivers after expenses are taken.

Please stick around and keep us updated on how training goes.

Interesting, i kind of thought that you needed to go home after a certain amount of time but knowing that you don't puts my mind at ease, also thanks for the reply.

So stay as company for as long as you can seems like the option to go? If you're driving a company truck, are you allowed to put a microwave/fridge/tv etc inside or no?

Mitchell,

Welcome to the forum.

I am also leaving Tuesday for Wednesday orientation with Prime in Springfield. Although, I don't know if you are from Missouri and going to orientation in Springfield, but our Governor issued a state-wide "stay-at-home" order Friday. I don't know if that will change anything with regard to the Springfield orientation. I plan to call my recruiter Monday to touch base and make sure that the orientations have not been further postponed.

Rob.

So stay as company for as long as you can seems like the option to go? If you're driving a company truck, are you allowed to put a microwave/fridge/tv etc inside or no?

Absolutely stay company. We have OTR drivers here that make 70-80,000 dollars or more a year with benefits, vacation time and 401k/retirement plans. Numbers I've seen advertised is $200,000 as a owner op or lease op. After you factor in truck payment of $1,000 or more PER WEEK, truck/cargo insurance which is going through the roof, fuel, routine maintenance and setting money aside for major repairs you're not making any more than a company driver. You're also spending a lot more on medical insurance, if you take time off you don't make any money etc. Hopefully Kearsey has time later to respond more in depth about this. She is a top tier driver at Prime with many connections. She has posted many actual settlements (revenue) from friends of hers that lease at Prime. She has a awesome youtube channel titled "Truckin Along With Kearsey". Between Trucking Truth and her YouTube channel you'll get extremely helpful advice.

You can put a microwave, fridge and TV in the truck but aren't supposed to drill holes in the truck to mount it. I'm not sure if the maintenance shop will do it for you or not. Hopefully someone can chime in about how they use it without overloading the electrical system. By using a fridge and microwave alone that will help you save a ton of money rather than eating the unhealthy overpriced food you'll find at truck stops.

Rob hopefully it doesn't get pushed back but I'm guessing it will. I know how much planning you've put into this transition and it keeps getting bumped back. The brightside is more time at home with the wife. Please keep us updated if they go through with it.

Mitchell,

Welcome to the forum.

I am also leaving Tuesday for Wednesday orientation with Prime in Springfield. Although, I don't know if you are from Missouri and going to orientation in Springfield, but our Governor issued a state-wide "stay-at-home" order Friday. I don't know if that will change anything with regard to the Springfield orientation. I plan to call my recruiter Monday to touch base and make sure that the orientations have not been further postponed.

Rob.

I live in Louisiana, driving myself to Springfield because recruiter said no bus/plane when i called her this past Friday. I'll make sure to call her tomorrow as well to make sure my orientation hasn't been pushed back, so thanks for the heads up!

I've just started watching Kearsey's youtube channel, i've been watching a lot of JBG Travels (not a prime driver), CrazyBags even though he doesn't drive anymore, Chad Rich, No Hippie, and Trucker NaeNae videos. Hopefully she does have time to post and give me some more insight on the company side because a lot of youtubers are lease ops it seems. The more information i can obtain, the better off i'll be in the future and also the planning of it.

Hello.... and yes, you can take hometime anywhere you want, even if you want to stay at the terminal.

i have fridge with freezer, microwave and Direct TV.... the Tv is a no contract package from Prime. I paid for installation. we have a detail shop that will install anything and detail the trucks.

Truth and Lies of Being a Company Driver

Leasing TRUTH No One Will Tell You

I have a playlist with paystubs, including settlement figures of an ENTIRE 3 year lease showing the pay is not a huge difference. If you add all.of our perks and benefits, company drivers can make.more.

i get everything i want without the aggravation and i am.left alone.

Trust me, you’ll never be forced into home time unless you’re fired. This is my first solo year and I started by being in my truck for 6 months Straight.

Mitchell,

Just spoke with my recruiter who confirmed that we are still on for orientation Wednesday.

She also mentioned that each driver will have their own motel room and that they will limit group sizes to no more than 10 people in a room.

Enjoy your drive from Louisiana and I look forward to meeting you at orientation on Wednesday.

Rob.

Mitchell,

Just spoke with my recruiter who confirmed that we are still on for orientation Wednesday.

She also mentioned that each driver will have their own motel room and that they will limit group sizes to no more than 10 people in a room.

Enjoy your drive from Louisiana and I look forward to meeting you at orientation on Wednesday.

Rob.

That's good to hear Rob. The anticipation has hit peak levels.

Good luck to you Mitchell. We're all behind you. Keep us updated.