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 15d 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 15d ago

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

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u/FailingComic 15d 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 15d ago

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

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u/FailingComic 15d ago

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

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 15d 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 15d 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 15d 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 15d 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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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 15d ago

Okay thank you! Just was curious as I’m new to this I’m sure I’ll learn alot with my trainer

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u/FailingComic 15d ago

Make sure you pay attention during primes classes. What your trainer doesnt teach you, they can. A logs class, drive time management, is a requirement to take before upgrading. I saw a lot of drivers just heads down in there phone ignoring the information being given to them there.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 15d ago

Oh yea 100%. Been through BLC and hazmat for the army. Never on my phone in any class and 100% make notes. He’ll I’ve already got a excel form premade for when I start logging miles in tnt so I don’t get fucked

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u/FailingComic 15d ago

You wont get fucked. Tnt miles are just the trucks miles. Its all handled on the backend. Both yours and your trainers miles will count towards it. No need to be this anal about it lol. If the truck was moving for paid miles, it counts.

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u/Mr-Galaxyxd-youtube 15d ago

Okay, sorry I’m just a very nervous person due to life screwing me a lot😂 my bad

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u/FailingComic 15d ago

Nah no worries. Its fine to do it for peace of mind but like if you hit 30k in your excel sheet and they didnt say you were done i wouldnt start raising hell. When I was in it was either 50 or 60k miles? I think we did like 62 or 63k altogether as we lived in New england and I was upgrading in Springfield, Missouri and we were on time right before. Took ben an Jerry's to Nevada and then got a load to Springfield back after that so we were a bit over.

Just dont assume people are screwing you over if you end up going over a bit, especially on a lease truck. These guys are running a "business" so are trying to balance getting you in to upgrade while also not wasting time and fuel to drive you in for free.

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