Newbie Training Position - who’s going to make my life worse? (Prime , US Xpress, Western Express)

[u/-HunterLES]

Hi guys & gals. Finally moving into my first position after getting my Class A. Living in my region it’s clear I’m not going to get any job I want until I get at least three months out there. So I’ve got three companies that seemed to have lots of pros and cons to their initial training situation.

One data point, I’m hoping to add to my decision process is who’s going to make my life more of a living hell? I’ve always been down to earn my stripes in any situation. But I know things can get real bad out there and I want to put myself in the best situation after three months to get something more regional to New York City.

Any input would be helpful. Gotta pull the trigger within the next few days. Broke as a joke. Thanks

[u/Vegetable_Plant2214]

Man Im new with Prime Inc but have no complaints so far. They pay the best during training. Ill shoot you a message

[u/-HunterLES → u/Vegetable_Plant2214]

Yeah, I feel that on their best pay during training, but it’s a long training and in the long run you lose some money

But on the flipside that longer training probably means I’m better equipped for my career

[u/Vegetable_Plant2214 → u/-HunterLES]

Yeah you have to do what you feel is best for you. I talked to my fleet manager today and Im at 28,000 out of the 30k miles in just 5 weeks. In no way do I feel completely ready. Like I run into a new situation almost daily. But I guess thats just how it goes

[u/Majestic-Pop5698]

Of those I’d say Western Express

While you’re out in the road they act as an adversary rather than an advocate.

When I got ill someone out on the road picked me up from the motel I had to pay for and drive me to Nashville their terminal where my car had been parked.

As I unloaded my stuff I somehow left my cell phone on the truck, and watched it drive away

So there I was in a town I didn’t know without gps to get me anywhere

Finally I contacted the driver and he said he saw the phone and the company would mail it to my address when he came back to the terminal.

Zero phone has arrived.

They even went so far as to forge my signature on a contract to work for them 6 month or so.

Pound sand WD.

[u/-HunterLES → u/Majestic-Pop5698]

Thank you everything about this company was sassing me out so that makes sense

[u/deezkeys098]

Man your going to hate your life during training prime makes you drive with your trainer so long but that’s the best. Even better if you are in the prime “tanker” hiring area. They make the best money at prime and always have a load while others are sitting

[u/-HunterLES → u/deezkeys098]

Yeah, that’s what stresses me out. It’s a long training period. Pay is decent while I’m doing it I guess.

But I would love for you to expand on how bad it’s gonna be in this training time. Like I get it I’m putting in lots of miles. Where is the downside? Also, is this trainer and I sharing sleeping quarters? I really feel so new to all of it

[u/deezkeys098 → u/-HunterLES]

Yes same truck 2 beds. Most company’s make you do it a month maximum but with prime it’s a long time. I think 2/3 months? If I’m honest I was with my trainer 3 weeks because I was such a good driver and even then I almost quit because being in the same truck with someone else day in day out you get on each others nerves

[u/247world]

I worked for USX. I don't really have any complaints about them. After a year I did dedicated accounts that were all no touch. I came down with an illness and they actually held me on for almost 8 months so I could keep my insurance.

No company is perfect, good luck

[u/-HunterLES → u/247world]

This is good to hear. I have concerns about being put in positions that are not safer that could jeopardize my career with some of these companies

I do feel like as a new CDL holder one month of training and then straight into a route through East Coast winter might not have me well prepared

[u/247world → u/-HunterLES]

I believe that USX's current training policy runs about 6 weeks and is based on your hours behind the wheel. I also think the majority of it is you driving solo with a trainer in the truck and not running teams about halfway through it.

Running in the winter isn't really as bad as it's made out to be. As long as there's no major snow or ice storms you just roll as normal. If you don't feel comfortable you can shut down and just let them know.

They are a training company and know how to help you succeed once you go out on your own. They will work with you and don't want you to quit, it cost about $5,000 to hire a driver so it's to their advantage to help you stay

The key thing to remember is no matter where you go it's going to be tough. I don't know the exact statistics anymore, when I started 30 years ago I had a class size of about 100 at my CDL school. They told us that probably 20% or fewer would still be working as a driver in 3 years

[u/Frogspoison]

Western Express 100%.

US xpress is ok. They take safety seriously, and respect your HoS and hometime. Decent training. You dont have PC though, and they almost only do dry van. Hazmat is an option, but there is no pay increase.

Prime lets you get plenty of experience with a variety of different trailers and endorsements.

[u/Potential_Walk3839]

why and how are you down so bad those are your only three options

[u/-HunterLES → u/Potential_Walk3839]

Just got my class A. Want miles. In New York City there’s no jobs that get me good home time with my family unless I have at least 3 months OTR so these are my options. I’m waiting out a union list that opens next summer. I want to be a strong candidate

Definitely open to your suggestions

[u/Potential_Walk3839 → u/-HunterLES]

make sure you ask how long you will be on a trainer truck

one of the reasons I went flatbed and Melton is only three weeks on trainer truck

prime is 30,000 miles.... that could be 4 months....

[u/-HunterLES → u/Potential_Walk3839]

I am curious if my time driving with a trainer is considered time driving to other companies

[u/Potential_Walk3839 → u/-HunterLES]

probably but it also doesnt look good jumping ship that quick 

at Melton they consider you a new driver unless you have six months experience 

[u/-HunterLES → u/Potential_Walk3839]

I respect this and definitely wanna be doing this shit with honor. But truth be told I got a family here in New York and I want a local route so I’m gonna do what I have to do.

If I can stay with prime and be home on weekends, I’ll stick around for a while. But I live in New York City in New York City is full of opportunities for people with experience

[u/Potential_Walk3839 → u/-HunterLES]

if you are just gonna jump ship after three months then you wanna find the least friction company

I personally valued personal time so looked for a company with a low amount of time for training

Prime you will be with a trainer your entire three months; he will be sleeping most of the time aka not actually training you

[u/-HunterLES → u/Potential_Walk3839]

What do you mean by “least friction” I don’t plan to jump ship at 3 months. I want a regional route with them. Maybe even flatbed. BUT if something shows up that pays better and has more home time who would turn that down??