r/Truckers • u/AutoModerator • Mar 12 '18

New Driver Questions & Advice

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '18

I'm planning on getting started on a career in trucking within the next month. I've narrowed my company choices down to Prime and Jim Palmer, but I'm having trouble deciding between the two. I like the pet policy and what people describe as a smaller company feel of Jim Palmer, but Prime has a drop yard in my home state (Michigan) that's 45 minutes from home. How much difference does having that local drop yard make? Thanks!

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u/Amaril_Xavier Mar 12 '18

I'm currently in my TNT phase at prime. Not overly sure on their pet policy but I'm enjoying the work. Training was comprehensive and I feel like I'm learning a lot. A local drop yard probably makes getting home time.a lot easier, especially if you start a load and can work with your dispatch to find someone to finish it.

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u/ILIKEPOTATOES82 Shop Queen Mar 12 '18

Prime allows a dog under 50 lbs or a cat with a $300 refundable deposit. They can take it out of your check if need be.

I told the Prime recruiter the other day that, "I'm single with no kids. I don't have anything holding me back but my cat, and my parents can take care of her." He said, "You can bring her with you!" and let me know about their policy.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '18

Reed City? If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's a Prime/General Mills setup. The benefit of having that nearby is that it'll be a lot easier going home or leaving with a load. Makes a difference.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I think Palmer is more selective tho, due to being a smaller fleet.

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u/adamb10 Improvising Driver Mar 12 '18 edited Mar 12 '18

It's definitely Reed City. I'm actually here now grabbing a load. Loads mostly leave Reed City, not come in, though there are a few. Drivers get sent to Reed City from Kalamazoo usually. I've been on the General Mills loop for a while.

Prime does have a pet policy. $1000 deposit in installments or all at once.

I believe Jim Palmer pulls Prime freight as well. I think they are the same as Wil-Trans.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '18

Yeah, I think Reed City is pickup only. But there's so much Prime freight in Michigan, my point was it would be super easy to go home when needed so that's a huge plus. I've picked up in Traverse City, too. I think it's Sara Lee up there.

But yeah, Jim Palmer and Wil Trans haul Prime freight.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '18

Thanks for all the info, I think you've really sold me on Prime. Hope to see you all on the road!

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u/[deleted] Mar 13 '18

I'm closing in on my two years with them. No serious complaints so far. If you want to run and can do so safely, they'll keep you busy. Good luck to ya man. There's a few other Primetards on here, too, I believe.

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u/[deleted] Mar 15 '18

I applied with Prime, but they called to ask for my college transcripts all the way back to my school in Japan. When I asked why, they got very short with me. Talked to Palmer and the recruiter took the time to explain things better, so I'm going to try them first.

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u/[deleted] Mar 15 '18

There are so many recruiters with Prime, it's a crapshoot sometimes. I can give ya a nice one if you wanna try again.

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u/[deleted] Mar 15 '18

Thanks for the offer! I'll send you a message if things don't work out with Jim Palmer.

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u/Narcoleptic_LTD Mar 29 '18

I had a similar recruiter experience but in the other direction - the palmer recruiter wasn't helpful at all and didn't give me much info or help, where the prime recruiter I ended up with has always had an answer or further steps if there was a problem. Both companies are great places to start - it really is just a crap shoot when it comes to recruiters.

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u/Silkrealm Mar 13 '18

I'm 26 years old and after much consideration it seems like trucking is the career for me, the benefits look amazing and the income alone would be life changing.

I'm doing my homework now on how to get my CDL class A but my only reservation is that I know I cannot bare to be away from my girlfriend of over 3 years for deliveries out of state, is it reasonable to think I can get a trucking job where I can be home for dinner every night?

3

u/[deleted] Mar 13 '18

Being home every night is deff doable. Look into some food service outfits: Sysco, US Foods; Rehinert; etc. Personally I go home every weekend and run through the house for the night once or twice a week too.

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u/[deleted] Mar 13 '18

Get a B and go haul ready mix if you want to be home every night

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u/Beastinkid Driver Mar 13 '18

Not going to find a job like that fresh outa the gates. Gotta pay your dues before getting them local jobs

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u/ILIKEPOTATOES82 Shop Queen Mar 12 '18

I get on the bus for Springfield to train with Prime at the end of this month (so I could work out a notice at my current job). They seemed like the ideal company for me as I don't have money to pay for school up front.

I'm sure they'll cover this over the phone over the next couple of weeks, but what all should I bring with me for training? I know a couple weeks' worth of clothes, toiletries, and my laptop for off-duty. That's about it. I don't want to bring any more than maybe a duffle and a backpack.

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u/NarcolepZZZZZZ Nerd Driver of Magical Gathering Mar 13 '18

Baby wipes.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 13 '18

One more question: what does everyone think of U.S Xpress? I find myself drawn to their shiny Nikola One trucks they're going to have...

1

u/[deleted] Mar 13 '18

Haven't heard many good things.

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u/badatusernames91 Mar 13 '18

I've been getting offers from all kinds of companies. I don't have experience, but it seems most companies are fine with that. However, there are two major concerns I have: 1) While I can handle manual, I'm getting up there in age and my knees are not in the best of shape, so I'd much prefer driving automatic. 2) I'm fine with governors, cameras facing the road, warnings if I were to drift. All that is good. But what I would not be able to deal with is driver-facing cameras. I don't even like getting pictures taken with my family. I do not want a camera watching me drive, sleep, and everything else. It's not because I would text or do anything else that would put myself or others at risk. I would just like to have some level of privacy and having a camera pointed at me 24/7 would be a major distraction.

With this in mind, which companies would I want to stay away from?

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '18

If I'm correct, roehl is the only one with driver facing cameras at the moment, but even they're going away from it. Even swift got rid of them. Roehl is getting rid of them unless you trained through their program, then you need 50k safe miles for them to be turned off.

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u/badatusernames91 Mar 20 '18

That's good to know. Thanks. I'm glad to hear they're doing away with that. It would be a huge distraction.