Profile For Leedoshuffler

I ran reefer with Prime, Inc. for a year and a half. 95% of the time I was able to run during the day, usually starting around 5-7am. In that whole time I had maybe 5-6 occasions (running 1-3 days at a time) where I had to run between midnight and 6am. Sometimes the load just calls for it. As a general rule though, if I could avoid driving after midnight I definitely would. I have a few friends that work reefer jobs and they'll generally drive after midnight. Not sure if it was more a preference or just how they managed their clocks.

Thank you Tim. I've now have a few regional / local companies that are an option. They all are aware of my preventables and are willing to interview and allow me to go thru the vetting process.

With any luck I'll have couple of options to choose from.

I have an upcoming interview with this company.

Looking for some background info, opinions or direct experiences.

Thanks in advance!

Just finished up my first 3 months as a prime lease driver. I ran for a bit over a year as a company driver.

If I had to do it over again. I wouldn't do it. My weekly settlements after expenses and before taxes have varied greatly, from a negative $988 to a positive $ 2348. This week I got $1645 last week $320. I haven't been home in over 3 months and still would need to save up more to go home 4-7 days and not be in the hole.

As a lease driver the stress level is greatly increased and the company does nickel and dime you to death. I've run my truck well, never missed a pick up or appt, 8.3mpg avg) and after "breaking in" a brand new truck got my weekly avg. fuel cost down to 13.9 per mile.

My first two trainers were lease drivers and did well, (71-78k / yr. after expenses before taxes) but they didn't seem to mind being out 3-4 months at a time. Long trucking is definitely not for me. Maybe some like it, but spending months on the road and not really having a life is ridiculous to me.

Glad to coming off the road to work locally.

Back out with a trainer would be a possible solution. However, all this may be a blessing in disguise. I enjoy truck driving in general but I hate being OTR so much. Due to the cost involved being a lease driver I'll have been out 3 months by the time I'm released at the end of May. I have found a local / regional dry bulk company that is willing to hire me. I'll be out 3-5 days at a time then home with my family. I had been praying to find something closer to home.

Ty both for your replies and non-judgement.

Pat. I will give Western Express a call and see what they say.

Rainy D. - a couple were scrapes. Primes safety dept. took two of the six overall preventables I had down to "incidents" since they were small low cost in house repairs (torn side skirt & bent deer guard). Two if the incidents required 2k in repairs though. The other two were me hitting another truck, both resulted in paint scraped or a small dent (minor repairs that were cosmetic in nature not structural) but since they involved claims from another company Prime couldn't remove them.

Regardless all the preventables involved my lack of attention, being distracted, stressed or not taking my time. All lessons I've learned. Haven't come close to hitting anything with my trailer in a year. The other problem point was the front right part of my deer guard.

I know that I'll get a few response telling me to find a different type of job and I have no business being a truck driver....but here it goes.

I've had multiple preventables (5) in my first year and half driving. Four occurred during training and my first few months driving the last two over the last year. At least they're getting less frequent. *sigh*

I've definitely learned my lessons from them. Seems like each situation taught me something different. Anyhow, as a result my current company is letting me go at the end of the month.

I'm looking to put together a list of companies, small, big, regional, OTR, etc., that will still hire me on, even on a probationary basis.

I've found a couple so far. They don't have great reputations but at least they are willing to give someone a second chance. 1. Bhandol Brothers Trucking 2. Carolina Cargo

If anyone can add to this list Id appreciate the help. Please keep the abuse and critisism down to a bare minimum. Thanks in advance for any help.

Thank you for the additional replys.

Any and all constructive help, criticism and input is welcome.

Sry for my snappy relpy. Just get tired of the occasional hazing attitude people get.

Hmm? Some of the responses were not quite what I expected. You would have thought I was Oliver at the orphanage asking for more gruel. I mean, really, the audacity of me to try and determine what makes a good load. I mainly asked the question because I had been given the option of a few different loads from our Driver Line up out of our main terminal and didn't know what to commit to. I, of course accept graciously all the loads my fleet manager gives me. First Brett, thank you for your professional and thorough follow up. As for the others.... Please next time just keep your two cents. I can do without all the lecture. This from another rookie driver and someone in company training. "Keep your head down", "You can't negotiate anything", "your just meat in the seat." I may be a rookie truck driver, but after 50 years of living I'm not a rookie in life. I made thru the marines, a college degree, and own another successful business. To come at me with this we've been doing this longer, so you just have to take the crud attitude is just childish. Like Oliver, I just don't know any better then not to go ahead and ask. It worked out though. After talking and working with my fleet manager I've gotten some "good" loads and over 2400 miles this week. Think I'll just talk to the truckers I personally know next time.

As a rookie driver who now has four loads under his belt, I have a question for the more experienced ones on here. As a company and rookie driver, what aspects of a load make it good? What should I look or listen for so I can negotiate, and/or work with my fleet manager to improve miles and pay? Thanks in advance for any help. 😊