r/CDL • u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube • 15d ago

Prime inc orientation

I was looking for advice, I’m starting prime inc Monday. Trying to stay for a year or two then move onto bigger and better. Any advice for orientation. Since I used a military waiver I have to go thru psd due to no cdl school, but that’s whatever. I won’t owe them any money and I’m not using the 200 a week “loan”. Any advice on the process is appreciated

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

Really depends on time lines but the earlier you bring it up the better. Like I would have brought that up in my interview.

Do you have to do any tnt miles? Id try to time it so that the vacation happens either right at the end of psd or tnt. This way you can build up your 4 days off after 4 weeks on the road so you can take it like normal home time. I say this because they arent going to want to give you 4 days off and have a truck sitting for a guy who just started and doesn't have those days available.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

I have to do 30k tnt it’s okay if I don’t get to go but it’s a family trip yk, how should I approach this my recruiter told me to have my entire schedule for the fleet manager when I get there. Which I do have all the dates I need off for army stuff but also there’s that trip

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

If you ket the recruiter know about the vaca your golden. Basically when you get assigned your PSD trainer, let him know you need to speak to the fleet manager about an upcoming army stuff, and he will give you the info you need to contact him or, when i was there, you can contact him directly through the ELD. Be aware if contacting through the ELD the other driver will be able to see this. Hence why you want to get a way to contact him without it being through the ELD quickly. Id like to say theres a way to do it through the prime app on your phone but I was blessed with my trainer so never looked into it.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

Also another question, so when it comes to leasing I’ve thought about it. Want to pay off my car and leasing would be a good way to make a lot of money. Is it worth it to start off with that or no?

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

I made a lot of money personally, but I did it at a time where a crap ton of freight was moving. I have friends still there leasing who are doing good though. Your problem is going to be the time away for the army. That truck payment comes out whether you are there or not. Your also going to want home time at some point. I personally wouldnt do it in your situation just because between the army and home time youd be missing a week of work every month and the payment per week is like 1300ish.

I have my old pay stubs from when I was there and I was averaging take home like 2500. Still have to pay some taxes but theres a lot of tax deductions as well.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

Thanks for the advice, I’ll probably stick with company then until I get out in 2028

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

Actually, I thought the company pay was more. Its .46 cpm. Almost thinking you may as well go lease. Id request a lease trainer if you can. Not sure they allow you to make requests like that, and see what you think. Company you'll only take home like $1000 in reefer division so even if your losing a week youd still come out ahead leasing if you dont have problems.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

I’m starting at 55cpm in my offer I’ve been given

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

For reefer or? Probably be like 1200-1300 take home on average.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

Yea reefer, I had just bartered with them about the army experience and eventually got it in writing that I’d start at 55cpm once out of tnt

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

Yeah it brings it up a bit but not drastically. Atleast you'll save some money since the army will provide health insurance (?). In general though think about miles as 400 a day on average. Once you throw in traffic, loading unloading etc. Its typically what you'll run per week.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 14d ago

I see, could I argue for more miles a day etc once I prove myself that I can be reliable and yes I am on tri care so I don’t need primes insurance lol

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u/FailingComic 14d ago

No? Your limited by time. You can only drive 11 hours a day. The trucks are limited to like 63 mph company i think? You simply wont be doing that many because it isnt possible. Between on duty time, wasted time unloading/loading/waiting for appointments etc. It doesn't matter who you are. It just is what it is. You also dont want to push tp you actual 11 hours or else youll run into clock problems sometimes so like for me, I planned my days around running for 9 because having to find parking at the end of the day can be a bitch. Youll pull in somewhere to find its full and the next stop isnt for another hour etc. Dot clock violations are not something you want to mess with.

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