I went to work for prime inc.in oct. 2003. At first they were a fantastic company. The money was great, and so were the miles. My fleet manager was tops, and was always willing to help out me and my family. Now, here I am in dec. Of 2004. Let me fill you in on the things I have seen happen.
I have been charged for repairs that were not fixed, I have been charged for damages that did not occur. I have run 4200 miles, grossed $5,185 for one week, and took home only $312 with no explanation where that money went. Most other companies give you a settlement sheet every week, prime charges you $20 per week to give you a paycheck stub that you cant even read or decipher even after having taken 3 classes on it.
As a trainer, you are required to pay the trainee out of YOUR settlements. They hire them, then place them on YOUR payroll, and insurance and workmans comp as YOUR employee so they dont have to pay anything.
I spoke with one of their mechanics today, he "can't confirm thsi due to an indemnity clause, " in his employment before he quit there last week, BUT, they are taking all their new 2005 trucks and redoing the O2 sensor and injectors to make them burn WAY more fuel. The reason is, they have a HORRIBLE safety rating. On time delivery is good, but not safety. This is why their prepass doesnt work about 75% of the time. So, to make drivers slow down, they are making them burn more fuel! (un beknown to the drivers!) How else, could I drive 58-62 mph average and still burn $2000 plus in fuel over 3400 miles???
I had PERSONALLY watched my log person REDO MY LOG in the computer so that it was legal on the 10 hour break. (I had missed it by 15 minutes.) They give 1 HOUR EITHER WAY ON what you actually do. Fuel, load, unload, etc. Was also told, i could send in arrival calls while still 50 air miles out from receiver or shipper, due to the computers only updating every hour. Would show on time delivery at customer even if a few minutes late.
Also, BEWARE of cargo claims that you have no knowledge of! Unloaded at a wal mart. Was not marked on my paperwork nor was I informed that I was short some produce. Caost me $685 out of pocket. ON A SHIPPER THAT WAS MARKED SLC! (Shipper load and count) I wasnt even allowed on the dock to count the product loaded or inspect it in yuma az.
Yes, you can take the truck wherever you want to to lease it on, will cost you 2 truck payments up front, and still over $800 a week in total payments. DO NOT believe that they will get you home when they say they will. They will keep you out till the last second before a holiday. Or past if they can. Thanks to prime inc. My family and I have no idea what we are going to do. We are in dire straights, I only thank god I do not work for them anymore. (have been in trucking for 7 years. Should have known better!)
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