The Guilt, Shame & Embarrassment Of Being A Prime Company Driver [Sarcasm]

Oh the shame, horror, and embarrassment of being a Prime Company Driver

Yesterday I drove to a Blue Beacon and got a truck and trailer wash and a washout. Prime paid $104 for it. I decided i wanted my 2020 to really shine and paid $30 extra for a hand dry, tire & rim treatment and RainEx.

I then casually drove to my shipper with the "Dry Out" setting on so there wouldn't be moisture for the loaders to slip on. I waited about a half hour then precooled my trailer for the load.

As I was checking in, a Prime Lease driver asked me why I didn't check in right away, how long i had been there and if I started my clock. She went on and on about how she doesn't get washouts because "If my wheels aren't turning, i'm not earning. I don't even go home." She leaf blows the trailers then uses 6 gallons of water and bleach. My shame. I avoid climbing into hot trailers, spending my own money on water and bleach, and would rather sit in my A/C truck while others do my work and Prime foots the bill. I am such a lazy bum.

After that she complained about the cost of fuel to idle her truck for days in 110 degree Arizona. She hates the International and her APU sucks. "It is comfortable and drives great, but I dont like the storage". Apparently she knows something I don't or is smarter than I am cause I love my truck.

It really made me feel guilty. My APU has been working phenominally in the AZ heat. I did idle my truck for a few hours at midday, but felt no stress of the fuel costs. I get to go home every month and if an emergency happens while there so i need extra days off or I take vacation, I have no issues. Not with dispatch and not with my wallet.

My last truck was in the shop a lot! And i had weeks when I made $1200 plus got a free hotel and not driven a mile. I got awesome deals at La Quinta and Hampton Inns and went swimming with no thought of truck payments or hotel bills. I even rented a car to do some tourist stuff and get my cat some food and treats. Again, I am.a lazy bum.

My QC is acting up and I need a chassis lube done, so i requested to be routed to a terminal , and now i feel guilty and ashamed I didn't even have to argue for it. Just got a "10/4 Noted, be safe". While I am there I am going to get the $450 Weeboost installed to improve my cell signal, and get my hair colored at the terminal. I will get a discount because of my Prime rewards points, but will still fork out $100 or so. Maybe get a massage if i have time too.

All the while, a lease op acquaintance of mine got injured, doesn't have Workmens Comp or health insurance and couldn't afford $55 per night at Prime's motel. I feel guilty as I just spent $30 on shining my truck, and $40 for pretty mats.

All my bills are paid. I go home when I want. Can occassionally get loads I ask for. Have lots of money in the bank. I run harder or not so hard depending on how I feel.

I am so ashamed. I should feel the trauma of being a trucker, and that guilt washes over me everytime I hear one of these lease ops complain. They work so much harder than I do, yet apparently don't have as much. I am addicted to pampering myself, and I know I should be out there in the trenches with those lease ops.

At the fuel pumps of Flying J today a driver tried to recruit me to his company, teling me Prime is horrible. By the end of the conversation, he took my referral card to call recruitment to join Prime. Horrible of me. I cannot help it but share my joy.

Oh, the life of a company driver is so difficult and embarrassing.

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

It's hard bearing up under all that shame, but you seem to be doing it well.

We just recently got a new driver on our dedicated flatbed fleet. I got a chance to speak with him the other day. He came from Prime's flatbed division. I asked him why he made the switch. He said he went three weeks without getting a paycheck. I replied, "Oh, you must have been leasing." He says, "How'd you know that?" I just grinned at him and said, "That's easy - your friends who are company drivers were easily making 1,500 dollars each week during that same time period." He looked embarrassed as he said, "Yeah, I wish I'd have ran across somebody like you while I was at orientation over there."

Most of your posts and blogs are great reads...But this one is phenomenal.

I too was drawn to the potential earnings of lease until I read posts on here as well as did some unbiased research on the subject and it horrifies me that so many fall for this. I am not saying some don't experience success with leasing, but it just does not appeal to me is all.

Great read again Rainy!

REPENT AND GO LEASE!

Forget the shame and anxiety!

Dang, Rainy! I need a boat because I'm drowning in an ocean of your dripping sarcasm.

Please keep us posted on how much of a difference the WeBoost makes. I've looked at them and wonder if it is drastic enough to pay that much.

Thanks for the sob story, now get back to work.😁😁😁

Great post Rainey! I’ve seen enough warnings about falling into the lease operator trap that I’m ready to give a deliberate “No!” when I will be approached about it during training.

Thanks for reminding us that living in guilt and shame can be great for the bank account!!

ROTF... LMFAO!

Dang Rainy I saw the title and was like what the h? Cause u know me I’m Prime Company proud! I’ve been out 5 months solo and just broke 23,000$ . Not bad for my first five months!

Dang Rainy I saw the title and was like what the h? Cause u know me I’m Prime Company proud! I’ve been out 5 months solo and just broke 23,000$ . Not bad for my first five months!

Okay.... now here are some numbers I love seeing!!!!

$23,000 ÷ 5 = $4,600 per month

$4,600 × 12 = $55,200 her first year!!!!

That is totally awesome considering your rocky start!!!

Keep up the great work, Donna!!!!