Prime Recruiting Conversation

Not that I can add anything more than Daniel, but I can confirm some things.

I just got off the phone with my Prime recruiter (waiting on job history verification) and she told me that average weekly miles is around 2000 - 2200 and that the first phase of training is $600 per week and the second half is $700. Both phases combine to equal about 12 weeks. She stated .43 com (but did not mention LW trucks, I just knew that from Daniel's threads).

Im in the last few days of the TNT phase (second phase as you called it). My first phase (PSD) lasted 2 weeks 4 days, then we went back to Springfield to test out. Tested out fine. Got picked up 3 days later for TNT phase. By the time I finish this phase in a couple of days I will have been out 7 weeks on TNT phase in which time we will have completed the 30000 miles required to upgrade to you're own truck. Between orientation week (End of October) PSD and TNT I did not get to go home until Xmas (I did get 11 days off though so can't complain). So expect to be out 8 weeks before your first home time from orientation. Then you will get as already mentioned 1 day home time for every 7 out. There is no $600 figure anymore. As mentioned, orientation week pays nothing, PSD period is $200/week loan. TNT period is $700/week minimum. Some weeks if you're running hard you will make more if you run over 5000 miles as a team. My best take home in the last 7 weeks was $660.

Hope this helps

Gary E

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

I would do all my math at 1800 miles for the first 6 months then at 6 months experience I would raise it to 2500. Just my personal way. You should average 1500-2500 though. On my rookie year, it took me 3 months before I ever hit 3,000 miles for the week.

But it's next to impossible to predict average mileage because there's a million variables. Everyday there's thousands of things that can slow you down or cripple your miles.

Thanks again Daniel. I'm just trying to get an idea of what's realistic.

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

I would do all my math at 1800 miles for the first 6 months then at 6 months experience I would raise it to 2500. Just my personal way. You should average 1500-2500 though. On my rookie year, it took me 3 months before I ever hit 3,000 miles for the week.

But it's next to impossible to predict average mileage because there's a million variables. Everyday there's thousands of things that can slow you down or cripple your miles.

This is so true! For example, I have been sitting at a shipper all day in my hometown and as soon as I was loaded due for home time. I have used 8 hours of my 14 hour clock, still not loaded, haven't made a dime, and burned up hometime too. Some days suck!

Is there any way you could sit there off duty or sleeper time so you don't burn that 14 up?

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

I would do all my math at 1800 miles for the first 6 months then at 6 months experience I would raise it to 2500. Just my personal way. You should average 1500-2500 though. On my rookie year, it took me 3 months before I ever hit 3,000 miles for the week.

But it's next to impossible to predict average mileage because there's a million variables. Everyday there's thousands of things that can slow you down or cripple your miles.

This is so true! For example, I have been sitting at a shipper all day in my hometown and as soon as I was loaded due for home time. I have used 8 hours of my 14 hour clock, still not loaded, haven't made a dime, and burned up hometime too. Some days suck!

Is there any way you could sit there off duty or sleeper time so you don't burn that 14 up?

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

I would do all my math at 1800 miles for the first 6 months then at 6 months experience I would raise it to 2500. Just my personal way. You should average 1500-2500 though. On my rookie year, it took me 3 months before I ever hit 3,000 miles for the week.

But it's next to impossible to predict average mileage because there's a million variables. Everyday there's thousands of things that can slow you down or cripple your miles.

This is so true! For example, I have been sitting at a shipper all day in my hometown and as soon as I was loaded due for home time. I have used 8 hours of my 14 hour clock, still not loaded, haven't made a dime, and burned up hometime too. Some days suck!

Yeah there is. As a driver, one of the best things you can do for yourself is park in the facility so that you won't have to start your clock.

Driving 500ft from your parking spot does not start your day. But driving 9 miles from the nearest truck stop does.

It's all about trip planning!

My trainer is a master of trip planning! We regularly find a place with a bathroom to use near the shipper/consignee, then continue on to park at the facility, across the street, or at some secret spot she knows about nearby. That way, we are always there waiting for the place to open up in the morning without having to start our clocks. I am very fortunate to be getting this experience, because I can see that this is a HUGE part of making the most ($$) out of every day!

My trainer is a master of trip planning! We regularly find a place with a bathroom to use near the shipper/consignee, then continue on to park at the facility, across the street, or at some secret spot she knows about nearby. That way, we are always there waiting for the place to open up in the morning without having to start our clocks. I am very fortunate to be getting this experience, because I can see that this is a HUGE part of making the most ($$) out of every day!

Now you know why I preach it so often!

As a rookie what can one expect to average mileage wise?

I would do all my math at 1800 miles for the first 6 months then at 6 months experience I would raise it to 2500. Just my personal way. You should average 1500-2500 though. On my rookie year, it took me 3 months before I ever hit 3,000 miles for the week.

But it's next to impossible to predict average mileage because there's a million variables. Everyday there's thousands of things that can slow you down or cripple your miles.

Gary E. has the exact same info that I got.

As far as miles, I did 3200 miles my first full week solo, 2200 second week, 500 each the weeks of Christmas (with 6 days home time) and New Year's (no home time) and about 800 the week after that. I had 2300 last week and am on pace for about that many this week. As others have said, it can vary wildly.

I pull a flatbed, so it's probably a little different than reefer. Flatbed freight is slow right now. I don't expect many 3200 mile weeks even when it gets busy, but I think 2000 - 2300 per week at first is realistic. When it gets busier somewhere in March or April, I think I should be able to get 2500 - 2800 per week.

The other comments about parking at or close to the receiver are also true. So far I've managed to get empty early except when I've had multiple stops where the last delivery is scheduled for the afternoon, and one load where there just weren't enough hours on my clock to get me to the receiver during the window. (I told my dispatcher that right after I got the load assignment, and as it turned out they moved the appointment to the next morning.)

I'm not sure how it works with reefer , but in flatbed, getting empty early in the day helps you get better loads, since sales starts at 0700 and your dispatcher has more options when there are more loads on the board.

As far as home time, I started school on September 8 and didn't get home till Thanksgiving after I finished TNT and before I did my upgrade to solo. My trainer and I pushed to finish TNT before Thanksgiving to make that happen. Then my first solo load took me past my parents' house, so I got an evening with them. I got 6 days at home for Christmas which probably would've only been 4 if a shipper had loaded me in time so that I could've gotten an additional weekend run.

The most important thing you can do is make your dispatcher's life a little easier by doing all those things that make your truck more productive for him: be on time, deliver early when possible, manage your clock so you're available for loads after you get empty, and don't complain. I've been solo for about 6 weeks now. I was worried that not making that one appointment on time would make him mad, but the next day he told me I have a good work ethic and gave me a 1200 mile load. I think good communication is the oil that keeps all those other gears (being on time, etc.) turning smoothly.