Prime Ways | Volume 6 Issue 2

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

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WHEN LIFE TOOK A TURN, THESE FOUR DRIVERS FOUND STABILITY AND NEW CAREERS AT PRIME.

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PRIME WAYS

2740 N. MAYFAIR AVE. SPRINGFIELD, MO 65803 417-866-0001 PRIMEINC.COM MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Clayton Brown MEDIA & ONBOARDING MANAGER Andrea Mueller MEDIA & ONBOARDING COORDINATOR Mitchell Coiner

PRIME COMPANY STORE SHOP IN-STORE

KATIE POLLOCK ESTES Editorial Director ETTIE BERNEKING Editor PAIJE LUTH Creative Director MEGAN DOLLAR Engagement Editor JAMIE THOMAS Multimedia Editor SARAH PATTON Art Director BRANDON ALMS Senior Photographer & Designer

INTERNS Lucy Caile, Jo Everhart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rae Swan Snobl, Peyson Mecke

Springfield, MO Salt Lake City, UT Pittston, PA

SHOP ONLINE

www.primeincstore.com

GIVE US A CALL 417-521-3814 (MO) 570-602-4793 (PA) 801-977-5903 (UT)

Use your Prime Reward Points here!

LOGAN AGUIRRE President/ Publisher MEGAN JOHNSON VP of Custom Publishing AMMIE SCOTT VP of Strategy and Senior Account Executive LANDRA BUNGE Finance Director COLIN DENNISTON Administrative Assistant GARY WHITAKER Founder JOAN WHITAKER Founder

PRIME WAYS

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contents

ON THE COVER Driver Dominic Pinnock joined Prime in 2020 after being furloughed due to COVID.

Prime Ways 2021 2017 PRIME WAYS| |May MARCH

Leann Hoer is one of three people who handle all permit needs for Prime’s fleet. Turn to p.

8 to learn what a normal day looks like for Leann.

Features

18 THE BACKUP PLAN Meet four Prime team members who changed plans or left their old careers behind when COVID hit.

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GIVING BACK

NOT SO MYSTERIOUS

Kirsten Rothlander knows how to turn YouTube into a fundraising machine.

This driver’s love of Scooby Doo has left its mark on his truck, and it’s a real crowd pleaser.

32 FAMILY TIES

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL Scott Fischer is a flatbed driver for Prime, and there’s a reason he left his job in the banking industry for a life on the road.

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DINNER TIME

DOWN AND DIRTY

Driver Pamela Smith has a slow cooker recipe for pot roast that you don’t want to miss out on.

A new feature will help keep your truck looking fresh and clean and your wait time down.

Photos courtesy Prime

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Meet this OTR driver who hopes to set an example for his kids while also providing his family with the life they’ve dreamed of.

PRIME FAMILY

Chat

All the numbers, programs and announcements we think deserve a little extra attention in this issue of Prime Ways.

$4,191

In 2020, Kirsten Rothlander donated $4,191 from her YouTube channel proceeds, referral bonuses, affiliate earnings and e-book profits to Meals on Wheels and Toys for Tots. You can follow her driver tips and lessons on her YouTube channel Trucking Along with Kearsey or turn to p. 9 to learn more about how she’s giving back.

1,000 BOXES OF COOKIES

Michael Child and his two daughters, Ellie, 8, and Ryn, 6, sold more than 1,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies at Prime’s Salt Lake City terminal in 2019.

It was a big deal for the girls, who were a bit nervous with their sales pitch initially. But soon, the orders were flowing in. Turn to p. 7 to learn why Child is a big fan of Girl Scouts, and not just for their cookies.

1.5 YEARS

Driver Greg Weske says he had about $20,000 in debt before he joined Prime. Once he was in his truck, he says he was able to pay off all his debt in about 1.5 years, and now he’s buying a truck. Learn more about Weske and his Scooby Doo-themed truck on p. 15.

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

30 STATES

Team drivers Katherine and Bruno Milcarek joined Prime in 2020 when COVID caused them to change career paths. They’re only in their first year of driving, but the couple has already been to 30 states. They now collect magnets from each state they’ve visited. Turn to p. 22 to learn more about what led this couple to trucking an what states they’ve enjoyed most during their drive.

THE LOW

down O

ver the past year, our everyday lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’ve covered up your smile in public, kept your distance from loved ones or put your social life on hold, we have all been impacted. At the beginning of the pandemic, we set a goal to remain successful, while keeping our associates and the Prime family safe and healthy. I believe we have and will continue to accomplish this goal as we work our way back to a resemblance of normalcy.

This issue, we highlight a few new associates who didn’t back away from the challenge but rather found opportunities within it. In the 51 years Prime has been in business, we’ve had our share of challenges. Thankfully, we’ve had successes, too. Through the highs and the lows, we’ve pushed through with the help of hard-working associates like you. COVID-19 has opened the eyes of people across the country to the essential work you do 24/7, 365 days a year.

I believe our driving and non-driving associates are the best in the industry, and you have proven to Deliver for America when our country needed it most.

As in-house associates return to terminals, I am excited to get back to the culture that makes us Prime. It’s been over a year since we gathered in-person for a Prime Picnic, Christmas Party or a Driver Safety Meeting. While we have adapted to virtual communication, I am ready to see all of you face-to-face as soon as possible. Thank you for being part of the Prime family. See you soon!

For more information, call 417-521-3588.

Robert Low Prime Inc., CEO & Founder PRIME WAYS

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LIFE | MAY 2021

Mike Martinez followed his dad to Prime Floral in Florida. Now this second generation team member is helping Prime’s floral division put down roots.

spotlight

BLOOM

Where You’re Planted Mike Martinez’s love of flowers runs deep. Not only has he been in the industry since he was 18, he’s a second generation team member of Prime Floral.

BY RAE SWAN SNOBL 4

PRIME WAYS

Photo courtesy Mike Martinez

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he work hours at Prime Floral don’t leave much time to stop and smell the roses, but Mike Martinez still says the best part of his job is “the fresh smell of flowers.” artine is a second generation floral division team member and the Terminal Manager of Prime Floral in Miami, Florida. Martinez’s father worked in the floral delivery industry since the mid1980s, and Martinez knew he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. “When I was in Junior High and High School, I would help my dad make floral deliveries to a local floral distribution center in iami.

The manager saw how carefully I handled and separated the plants and, when I was 18, he asked if I wanted to work for the warehouse.” artine took the ob, and then Prime Floral bought the company.

Nearly 30 years later, Martinez runs the everyday operations in the Floral Delivery division and handles receiving, shipping, customer service and cooler loading of outbound trucks heading to the Midwest, East Coast and other various parts of the United States and Canada.

Martinez’s job never has a dull moment, but he likes it that way. Prime Floral offers transportation, distribution, consolidation and cross-docking services to shippers, growers and wholesalers throughout the floral industry. The iami floral terminal has around 30 team members who handle receiving, staging products in the cooler, consolidating loads and operating forklifts to load and o oad products. The iami warehouse handles inbound shipments from across the world, including South America, Colombia and Ecuador. “The product comes to us from the airlines, and we create routes for each truck,” artine says. “Then we load it into our Prime Trucks and send it to the Pierson, Florida, terminal where they unload and separate the product by customer. They stage the product for delivery throughout the nited States.”

Like any Prime division, there are deadlines to get the product from wholesalers to customers, but in floral, the plants require extra care and attention. Some of the most popular plants are roses, carnations, pom poms and green ferns. “One of my favorite flowers is the black rose from Japan.

They’re a deep-red flower with black tips,” Martinez says. Regardless of the plant type, each delivery must be treated like precious cargo. “The care is the same for all flow-

“One of my favorite flowers are the black roses from Japan.

They’re a deepred flower with black tips.”

— Mike Martinez ers,” artine says. “We have to handle them like a box of eggs and keep them at 36 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the loading and unloading process until they get to the customers.” lot is riding on artine and his team. They must work quickly to keep the cargo fresh, but also take care not to damage anything. “If the boxes are not handled properly, plants could get crushed, and Prime could end up paying a lot in claims,” artine says. To prevent such claims, the crew takes temperatures of the plants at receiving and records them on the customers’ invoices. “We do this to cover ourselves and avoid a heat claim because we don’t know if the plants or flowers are old or they might come to us already damaged inside the boxes,” artine says.

Another challenge the Miami terminal faces is dealing with airline delays. “The work days can be long and go into the night,” Martinez says. “Sometimes we have to wait up to 18 hours on delayed shipments due to late flights or .S. Customs and griculture Inspectors. By the time the product arrives, it is a tight turnaround to get the trucks loaded. We have to communicate with the shipper and customers to keep everyone

happy. There is a lot of pressure to keep the plants fresh, but sometimes things are out of our control.” artine en oys the ob’s challenges, though, and likes keeping the operations organized. “The work environment is great,” he says. “We have a good leader, Corey Doel, that I have learned so much from.”

Martinez also prides himself on good customer service. “We are always trying to get our customers and shippers to communicate better,” he says. “If we all work together, we can provide better service in this hectic industry.” e is also excited to see the different ways Prime Floral continues to increase its reach in the future. “We are constantly growing,” he says. “Prime Floral has the potential to be the No. 1 trucking flower service company in the .S. in the next 10 years.” artine attributes the division’s success to the strong leadership the company provides and appreciates the opportunities he has had over the last three decades. “In 2004, I got to meet Robert Low, which was a highlight in my career,” Martinez says. “It’s an honor working for a big trucking company like Prime Inc. I am very lucky to get to do what I love.”

When Prime Floral gets a delivery, it includes boxes and boxes of plants and flowers that have to be carefully unloaded and divided into customers’ orders before they’re packed onto trucks.

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A simple salute In each issue of Prime Ways, we take a moment to highlight two veterans who have found a new career path at Prime. This issue, we meet Christopher Sheppard and Floyd Rubino.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

Christopher Sheppard

“You can be your own boss, and this is your business. You can be proud of what you do, and your hard work directly impacts what you take home.”

—Christopher Sheppard

Military History: Christopher Sheppard joined the US Marine Corps when he was 18. His dad had joined the Navy, so he wanted something different. During his four-year enlistment, Sheppard was a heavy equipment operator and a training NCO. He trained recruits how to operate equipment like forklifts and bulldozers. During deployments to Afghanistan and Okinawa, Japan, his focus was on offloading aircrafts and going on patrol.

Sheppard spent two years in Japan and says Okinawa was probably his favorite spot. “It was the cultural difference and the full immersion,” he says. “Even as a second language, English is rarely spoken, plus everything is so grandiose over there. Even in Okinawa, which is a small island, there are colors and lights everywhere. I didn’t know that many colors existed.” By the end of his enlistment, Sheppard was an E-4 CPL, and his time operating heavy equipment gave him a clear career path when he returned to civilian life—he could get his CDL and work for the state.

Prime Service: It was while he was studying for his CDL that Sheppard heard about Prime. It sounded like a good fit, so he changed plans and has driven flatbed for Prime for three years now. He actually convinced his dad to join Prime as well in 2020 and even trained him. And like Sheppard, his dad drives flatbed. “It was a little interesting training your own dad,” Sheppard says.

While operating a truck isn’t quite the same as what Sheppard was used to doing while in the Marines, he says there are a lot of overlaps between his time in the military and his time at Prime. “The work ethic and being able to be disciplined and get the job done is something I’ve carried over,” he says. “I average more than 3,000 miles a week.

I hustle.” Sheppard says driving lease is really appealing. “It allows you to immerse yourself in your work like you would in a deployment,” he says.

“You can be your own boss, and this is your business. You can be proud of what you do, and your hard work directly impacts what you take home.”

“It’s been a great experience, and my personal opinion is veterans are outstanding workers. We all get along, and we all have the same mindset. We have a sense of duty, and we respect other people.”

—Floyd Rubino 6

PRIME WAYS

Military History: Floyd Rubino was 19 when he enlisted in the Army, and at the time, the United States was still in the throws of the Vietnam War. “My relatives were in the Army including my grandfather and uncles,” Runino says. “I grew up around it, and I had some friends who were going in or who were already in. I just wanted to do the best I could and serve my country.” While Rubino says many of his peers were worried about being drafted, he had a different outlook.

For him, serving in the military was an opportunity to make his family proud. “God bless America is what I always say.” Once he enlisted, Rubino became a mechanic and a 13B cannonier. “That meant I pretty much blew up stuff and managed long-range targets and infantry support,” he says.

He served in the Army until 9/11, and afterwards, he deployed to Iraq as a civilian technician. His work as a civilian also took him to Kuwait and Germany.

Prime Service: After retiring from the Army, Rubino worked for the Army Depo in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, for five years. From there, he signed up for HVAC school. That’s when he learned about Prime. “I applied and have been here seven years,” he says.

Rubino is now the facilities maintenance manager at the Pittston terminal. He says, “To keep it short, we keep the lights on. We work on electrical, plumbing, HVAC… the whole nine yards.”

Rubino says he’s loved the job. “It’s overall a great company to work for, “ Rubino says. “It’s been a great experience, and my personal opinion is veterans are outstanding workers. We all get along, and we have the same mindset. We have a sense of duty.” After seven years with Prime, Rubino will retire this August. He and his wife, who runs the company store at the Pittston terminal, will relocate in South Carolina. Not surprisingly, Rubino is excited for the move and the start to a whole new chapter of his life.

Photos courtesy Floyd Rubino and Christopher Sheppard

Floyd Rubino

words from the field

An Unexpected

Delivery

In each issue, we introduce a new guest blogger to talk about life on and off the road. This issue, driver Lewis Cobb talks about what it was like to deliver a truck full of wigs to the American Cancer Society.

SWEET REWARDS

BY LEWIS COBB, AS TOLD TO ETTIE BERNEKING

When Girl Scout cookie season arrives, the Prime team is ready to place their orders.

BY RAE SWAN SNOBL

Photos by Ettie Berneking and courtesy Lewis Cobb

Photos courtesy Floyd Rubino and Christopher Sheppard

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started working with Prime about 10 years ago when I was living in Texas. I had been a bartender and server, and I was tired of that and looking for a different opportunity. I wanted to find a job that paid well and that had insurance, and I had thought about trucking in the past. I went to a truck driving school in Oklahoma and found Prime. I now drive reefer, and mostly deliver run-of-the-mill food items. Sometimes I get odd items like high-end pharmaceutical deliveries, but I didn’t think anything was unusual about this load when it was dispatched to me. They picked me because of my location I’m pretty sure.

Usually, I know what it’s going to be based on the pick up area or plant. But for this load, I went to a small town in eastern Missouri, where I had never been. It’s always nice to go places you’ve never been, and it was a dry load, so I didn’t know what it was going to be. Once I got there, they told me I was delivering a full truck load of boxes of wigs. I didn’t understand how many there were until they came out and talked to me. There were close to 18,000 wigs. It was a wide variety of wigs all made of human hair that they got from Locks of Love.

I picked it up and drove nine hours to Gulfport, Mississippi.

After they unloaded the truck, a guy named David spoke with me. He wanted to take my photo by the truck. It was neat to see what they’re doing for people suffering from cancer. It was definitely not a normal delivery for me. It felt like a big deal when I got there and started realizing what it means to have that kind of service for people who lose their hair, often in the prime of their life.

A lot of people don’t realize how many people get cancer, so I was thinking about this. It’s so common. The first time I learned about cancer, I was in high school. There was a really good guy I knew who had a great personality. He got cancer and wound up in a wheelchair, and he had a good attitude and then he came to school with his head shaved.

I think he had a long struggle with the disease. What made this delivery neat was meeting the people from the American Cancer Society. It’s unusual to have someone come out and tell me about the load. This was a welcome change. It’s always nice to meet people who are doing something good like this. It opens your eyes to a lot of things you don’t usually think about, especially your health and how lucky you are.

W

hen Michael Child and his two daughters, Ellie, 8, and Ryn, 6, rolled up to the Salt Lake City Terminal with a wagon full of Girl Scout cookies, they had no problem meeting their quota. In fact, the father-daughter trio ended up selling more than 1,000 boxes of cookies to benefit the mission of the irl Scouts this year. “We went door-to-door and took pre-orders from Prime drivers and terminal team members,” Child says. “Then we ordered some extras to sell to drivers as they came through.” Child is an Inbound and Outbound Inspector at Salt Lake who has been helping his daughters with Girl Scouts for nearly four years. He has witnessed the numerous positive effects the organi ation has on the girls. “The Girl Scouts cover topics ranging from STEM to survival techniques as well as government, citi enship and leadership skills,” he says. “They teach the girls how to be good friends, people and leaders.”

Child also noticed that selling cookies has helped his daughters be more assertive while learning valuable communication and economic skills. “This program has helped my girls get out of their comfort one in a positive and inviting way,” he says. “The first time we went out to get cookie orders, they were very timid and shy.

Now they do most of the talking with some help from me or their mom.” Child also en oys the time he and his daughters get to spend together while selling cookies. The family counts and sorts the inventory and money together to teach the girls goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

The team at Prime is, not shockingly, some of the best Girl Scout cookie customers the girls have. “ We had no problems with selling them at Prime,” Child says. “We spent countless hours trying to get as many orders as we could and many were happy to help, or maybe ust happy to get those cookies. ither way, we had a lot of support.”

As a result of the cookie sales, Ellie was able to go to a Girl Scout camp that taught her about horses. “She learned how to ride and take care of them and she had a blast,” Child says. e is passionate about continuing support for Girl Scouts and adds, “It has been a great bonding time with my daughters, and we need to invest in good programs for kids everywhere.”

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Leann Hoer is one of just three people who make up Prime’s Permits and Licensing Department.

week in the life

Licensed to Drive The Permits and Licensing Department helps drivers stay on the road.

BY JO EVERHART

PERMIT BOOKS AND STICKERS

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

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PRIME WAYS

TRANSPONDERS AT WEIGH STATIONS

The department also handles transponders for pulling and weigh stations. Hoer says this helps drivers bypass weigh stations and keeps the trucks moving. In order to help, Hoer and the department keep track of handling issues and order trip permits. Each trip might require unique permits for specific states, so Hoer’s department ensures trucks are registered for all states.

RENEWAL

Hoer says they have to renew all of their registrations and stickers at the beginning of each year. They overnight and mail a lot of these to make sure drivers avoid tickets due to expired stickers. “Renewal is challenging, because it’s so much to do in a short amount of time,” oer says. “It’s a lot of planning, preparation and extra time each year, but it’s so rewarding to keep drivers on the road.”

Photos courtesy Leann Hoer

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eann Hoer works for the Permits and Licensing Department at Prime and Each Prime truck has a black book with all only has two other people in her de- of the required documentation. The permit partment. The three of them work department ensures these books stay up to hard year round to ensure all drivers in the date and uses them to order all of the refleet have the proper licenses and registra- quired permits, stickers and decals for each tions. “The main thing we do is try to keep truck. The department maintains the entire people from getting any tickets,” oer says. fleet to keep them moving on the road.

“We want to keep them on the road and keep them moving.”

Hoer helps her department do this by Hoer also answers a lot of phone calls staying organized and keeping track of throughout the day. Many times these calls things with the help of spreadsheets. They are from drivers who are missing a license cover a wide variety of challenges in the plate or who might have a damaged license workplace. “I like that the job is not al- plate, but often Hoer is presented with new ways the same thing,” oer says. “There is questions she couldn’t have expected. “We usually some new challenge that comes up get some pretty cra y questions,” she says. that we have to tackle each day.” She says “We love finding the answers to all of them, staying organized and working together in so when they have a really cra y question their close-knit department helps Hoer and we don’t know the answer to we’ll research her team keep track of the following tasks: it and find out.”

close to home When driver Kirsten Rothlander stopped training new drivers, she launched a YouTube channel as a way to share her knowledge and advice with drivers.

Streaming for good Kirsten Rothlander has a lot of titles: Company Driver, TNT Trainer, member of the Driver Advisory Board and YouTuber. While that last one might seem out of place, Rothlander is using her platform for driver education and as a way to give back.

BY PEYSON MECKE

Photos courtesy Kirsten Rothlander

Photos courtesy Leann Hoer

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or the past five and a half years, Kirsten Rothlander has embraced her time as a Company Driver at Prime. She learned on the job through Prime’s training program and went solo on alentine’s Day in 01 . “In my first month of solo driving, I was at the Salt Lake City terminal where a Prime driver of 25 years was retiring. He handed me his $300 PS as he passed out his equipment to other new drivers,” othlander says. “ e told us to pay it forward by helping future Prime drivers. This community spirit makes me feel at home here at Prime.”

Once Rothlander gained experience, she made a concerted effort to offer her phone number to new Prime drivers who might need assistance. It was her way of paying it forward. “I remember how nervous I was as a rookie driver, and try my best to explain to new drivers that it’s okay. We all went through it,” she says. “ nce I’d been with Prime 18 months, a friend of mine came to Prime and asked if I would train her.

Training her gave me more confidence, and I started training on a regular basis once I was here about two and a half years.”

In September 2019, Rothlander launched her YouTube channel, Trucking Along with Kearsey, to help educate drivers about things she wished she would have learned early on. “I started the channel because I

decided to stop training, but I really love teaching people,” she says. “ ou can’t learn everything in training. There are things you learn on your own, like the widest toll booth is furthest to the right and to put your visors down when defrost is on.” othlander’s following quickly grew due to her relatable content and willingness to be a trusted sounding board to new and experienced drivers. As her following grew, her channel became a source of income. “Once I was monetizing these videos, it seemed natural to help others with the proceeds,” she says. With a bachelor’s degree in Human & Social Services, as well as an associate’s degree in History & Political Science, Rothlander says giving back is where her heart is. In 2020, Rothlander donated $4,191 from her YouTube chan-

nel proceeds, referral bonuses, affiliate link and e-book profits to eals on Wheels and Toys for Tots.

These organizations weren’t chosen at random. Rothlander’s mother relied on delivery services for groceries during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

This caused her to realize the anxiety and fears senior citi ens suffered by leaving their homes. As for Toys for Tots, this was Rothlander’s tribute to her late sister.

Through her charitable giving and presence on YouTube, Rothlander has been featured on NPR and, most recently, The Today Show. She plans to continue to serve as a team trainer periodically while investing in her YouTube channel and donating referral bonuses through May of this year.

To see Rothlander on The Today Show, scan the QR code with your phone.

PRIME WAYS

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WELLNESS | MAY 2021

wellness

THE ROAD TO A

Healthier Lifestyle Fitness Trainer and DHF Liaison, Matt Judy, shares how to best pursue a healthier lifestyle while on the job.

BY JO EVERHART

M

att Judy, Fitness Trainer and Driver Health and Fitness (DHF) Liaison at Prime’s Salt Lake City terminal, joined the Prime team December 2020. In this new position he will provide one-on-one training, write workout plans and help Prime drivers with goal setting. “I want to help as many people as possible change their lifestyle and become healthier and stronger,” Judy says. Judy has worked with a variety of people in the past. He’s coached people who are changing their

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PRIME WAYS

lifestyle due to doctors’ orders and even college athletes. “Helping people along their journey has always been fun for me. Every person is a challenge, and I enjoy helping them meet their goals,” Judy says.

His best piece of advice for drivers pursuing a healthier lifestyle is to figure out the motivation behind their goals. “If you have a reason you’re exercising, it helps you prioritize it and hold yourself accountable,” he says. “I like to write mine down and put them where I can see them every day.” His own personal reason for striving to maintain his health is so he can be in shape to enjoy his life, regardless of his age. “I’m a fitness trainer, and even I don’t always love working out. Sometimes it’s the last thing I want to do,” he says. “But I’ve always looked at it like an investment. Eventually, when I’m 60+ years old, I don’t want to be hobbled or so out of shape I can’t enjoy my life or retirement or keep up with my kids.”

Improving your health can be as simple as including some form of exercise for 20-30 minutes each day. Judy says this will not only save money on health care costs, but it will increase energy levels, help reduce stress and allow for better sleep.

“Exercise will just make your day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable,” Judy says. “Literally, everyone on this planet could benefit from exercise in some way, but knowing what sedentary, long hours drivers are working, they need to be thinking about their lives and health for the long term.” Drivers who want to start improving their health and wellness can get in touch with Judy by email at mjudy@primeinc. com or by calling his office number 01-515- 5 ext 5 .

Photo by Ettie Berneking

Matt Judy is Prime’s newest fitness trainer in Salt Lake City, and he’s on a mission to help drivers stay fit on the road.

recipes

For a little extra texture, Pamela Smith adds green beans to her beef stew.

TRUCKER

BEEF STEW Ingredients: 2 cups of beef, diced 1 medium onion, sliced 1 can of carrots 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced 1 can of green beans 1 packet of McCormick beef stew seasoning 2 cups of water Instructions: Pamela combines all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and allows it to cook for 12 hours.

(Makes 4 meals.)

recipes

CROCKPOT

on the Go Use a slow cooker while on the road to simplify your meals.

Photo courtesy Shutterstock

BY JO EVERHART

P

amela Smith went to culinary school in 00 and had years of experience cooking in many kitchens, but her biggest challenge thus far has been learning to cook within the confines of her -foot space inside her truck. Smith has been driving with Prime in the refrigerated division for the last three and a half years, which has given her plenty of time and experience to master cooking while on the road. “It is a very limited space, and it took me a long time and a lot of trial and error to learn how to cook in it,” Smith says.

Her experience as a cook makes her wary of eating fast food and at most restaurants, so Smith makes the majority of her meals while on the road. While learning and adapting to this, she has tried a lot of different cooking methods and appliances to assist her from air fryers to skillets, and she has decided the best appliances on the road are Instant Pots and crockpots. “You throw in all of your ingredients before you start driving, and by the end of your shift, it’s ready to go,” Smith says. “The only downfall is that you have to smell it all day.”

Smith is able to use her crockpot to make a wide variety of meals including chili, stroganoff and spaghetti, and she has been able to slowly perfect her beef stew recipe over time. She started making it when she first started with Prime. She used mostly fresh ingredients, but soon found those were difficult to maintain and store in the truck.

She now utilizes canned foods, makes enough so she can eat leftovers the next few days and uses foil and crock pot liners to help with the cleanup. “It’s simple, easy and anyone can make it,” Smith says.

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Mental Health

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TRUCKS & TECH | MAY 2021

how we roll

Zoinks!

Like, This Truck is Totally Groovy Driver Greg Weske’s love of Scooby Doo runs deep. As a tribute to one of his favorite shows, he gave his Peterbilt a Mystery Machine makeover.

BY RAE SWAN SNOBL

I

t’s no mystery why Greg Weske’s Peterbilt makes people do a double-take. “People in cars pass me on the highway, and I’ll see their brake lights as they slow down to match my speed for a picture,” Weske says.

Weske has been driving for Prime since 2018. Early last year, he signed an Ace Lease on a 2021 Peterbilt 579 but not before sending it to the decal shop for a custom paint job. “My company name is Mystery Machine Logistics LLC, so I wanted the truck painted to match.”

Weske is a huge fan of Scooby Doo and grew up watching it, but he did not think of his LLC name until his trainer, Steve Wolfe, invited him to his home in Alabama. “I had my hair longer then, and it hung down over my ears,” Weske says. “Steve’s kids nicknamed me Shaggy, which gave me the idea for my LLC.” is first

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truck only had the name on the side, but Weske knew he wanted to go bigger with the purchase of his new truck. “Stripes and Stuff drew all the graphics on the computer and matched the original Mystery Machine colors,” Weske says. “They mocked up what the design would look like on the side of the truck and sent proofs via email. I’m super happy with how it turned out.”

Weske loves seeing the reaction the truck gets on the road, especially from kids. “Most kids riding in cars these days are glued to their iPads,” Weske says. “My truck actually gets them to look up. They do the old fashioned arm pump to get me to honk.” Even at rest stops, other truckers always want to grab pics with the custom designed “Mystery Machine, Inc.” “They get nostalgic over the cartoon,” he says. “Just like I do.”

PHOTO BOMBS Other truckers frequently walk up to Weske’s truck in the fuel islands to snap pictures of his truck. Stripes and Stuff based in Springfield did the design work on Weske’s truck. Learn more by visiting their website at stripesandstuff.com.

STYLISH UPGRADES DESIGN PROS

Photos courtesy Greg Weske

Weske had his new truck delivered directly to Stripes Stuff in Springfield, issouri, to have the custom work done.

The base color paint is a sky blue, and vinyl decals were designed, printed and stuck on the sides to match the Mystery Machine.

A TOUCH OF DECOR

MOVING UP IN LIFE

Weske lives in his truck and drives yearround. The inside cab is decorated to match the outside, complete with a Scooby Doo bedspread, a poster on the wall and a Scooby figure on the passenger dash. “I even picked out a retro blue microwave to match the design,” Weske says.

Weske says, “I absolutely love Prime.

I was an Assistant Store Manager for a Walmart in Wake Forest, North Carolina, before I came to Prime. I was living paycheck to paycheck with about $20,000 in debt. After working for Prime, I had all my debt paid off in about 1.5 years, and now I’m buying a truck.”

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Prime’s new dedicated campaign bays mean specialized service techs can knock out campaign updates for drivers even without an appointment.

maintenance

TIME FOR AN upDATE Prime is on a mission to make addressing campaign updates a whole lot easier.

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et’s be honest. No one likes keeping up campaign updates on their trucks or trailers, but it’s a necessary part of staying safe on the road. In order to keep equipment running at peak performance, drivers must continue to update their equipment with the latest OE updates. To make this a little easier for drivers, Prime opened its first terminal dedicated to campaign work in Springfield ay of the rbana building). The goal of the terminal is to ensure drivers can address campaigns as easily and as quickly as possible.

The new terminal came about as the number of tractors, reefer units and P s needing campaign work increased. Prime

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recognized the need for a dedicated service bay that specializes in these campaigns.

Dedicated campaign techs are now able to be extremely efficient and create a repetitious environment that makes the drivers’ experience as seamless as possible.

These drive-thru type bays have been a game changer in driver time management and Prime’s ability to perform campaigns without a scheduled appointment. eing flexible and accommodating to Prime’s drivers is important; it’s these advancements in Prime’s shops that will help Prime achieve that much desired 5 star customer service it strives to attain.

Additionally, Prime loaded all cam-

paigns into its maintenance system, so drivers passing over the Drive Over Reader at the Springfield terminal will receive notifications of campaigns that are due on their equipment. These campaigns are sent to the drivers Qualcomm and in most cases to their mobile devices as well. This information serves as a reminder to the driver but also helps Prime keep a constant flow of traffic through the new campaign bays. pdates and equipment modifications are a hassle, but Prime takes all the steps necessary to curb that frustration and struggle, through its new campaign bay and new technology that will help ensure smooth traveling and safety on the road.

Photos courtesy Prime

BY LUCY CAILE

Just Ask

DAB

tech update

All Washed Up The new Wash Portal keeps trucks looking sharp and drivers’ wait time to a minimum.

BY LUCY CAILE

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

Photos courtesy Prime

T

ired of waiting in line for a wash while on the road? The new Prime Wash Portal erases the wait and makes it easy to get a wash and then get back to driving. The online form allows vendors to use their computers or cell phones to request a PO number when a driver shows up for a wash.

Prime started the pro ect five years ago. The portal was designed to streamline the trailer wash process the same way the Prime Fuel program works.

To get fuel, drivers only need to swipe their fuel card, fuel up and go. Prime wanted to streamline the wash process for vendors in the same way.

Since trailers need to be washed between every transfer, the portal makes

it easy for vendors to get a truck and driver’s information quickly, which gets drivers back on the road much quicker. efore the new Wash Portal, drivers often had to wait up to 30 minutes before they could get their trucks in for a wash.

The portal makes it easy for vendors to quickly request a PO number for all wash services. efore the portal, vendors had to call Prime, and if the lines were busy, there was a wait. Now, a driver only needs to give a wash station the trailer info, and the vendor can handle the rest.

The portal is free to use, which makes the whole experience fast, convenient and easy.

Have a question or suggestion?

Now you can send it directly to the Prime Driver Advisory Board through the app.

BY BRIANNE MADURA

D

o you have a question you want to ask experienced, knowledgeable drivers? Do you have suggestions for the Driver Advisory Board (DAB) to bring to management? Or are you just looking for more information on all things Prime from a driver perspective?

The newest addition to MyPrime, the Ask DAB section, allows you to communicate with the entire DAB and get answers to your questions! You can post a question that is visible to all drivers, or you can post it privately to just DAB members.

Once your question is answered, you will receive an email letting you know, and you can check back on the Ask DAB section for the responses.

You can also search through previously asked questions to find their answers and get information immediately.

Ask DAB is the best place to communicate with your Driver Advisory Board Members. Please remember these questions are answered by DAB members, so response times might vary as they are on the road.

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Welcome to Prime Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

There’s no easy way to describe 2020.

It was a hard year to say the least, but while many industries took a significant hit, trucking held firm. Drivers hit the road to keep the country’s supply chains moving, and Prime’s bottom line stayed strong. In fact, the company welcomed several new team members who had to find work when COVID hit. These are three of those success stories.

One driver made the move from driving a passenger bus to driving freight, one husband and wife team saw the pandemic as their chance to start whole new careers, and one manager at the cafe in Pittston joined Prime when her college plans were suddenly on pause. For each of these new team members, 2020 brought a lot of change and a lot of worry, but one bright light through it all was their journey to Prime.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

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Kieran Rinish

Night Lead at the Pittston Cafe “It’s been wonderful.

I’ve met a lot of people and gotten a lot of experience in hospitality. I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I just wanted to get as much experience as I could.”

—Kieran Rinish

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K

ieran Rinish had plans to join the CIA before COVID hit. Not that CIA. The Culinary Institute of America. Rinish is a life-long baker and food enthusiast, and her college plans were going to take her to New York City to attend the CIA. Then everything changed.

When COVID hit in early 2020, cities around the United States were thrown into chaos, especially in New York. With in-person classes paused and stayat-home orders in place, Rinish had to revise her college plans. She wasn’t alone. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, more than 1,300 colleges and universities moved to online instruction in the spring of 2020.

With her plans in the air, Rinish decided to put the CIA on hold. Luckily, she already had a way to gain some experience in her field even if she couldn’t move to ew ork.

When C ID first hit, inish applied for an associate batch cook position at the cafe in Pittston, so when she had to put college on hold, she decided to make the best of it and use the time to build up her experience working in the food service industry.

With her passion for cooking and baking and her experience helping out at her mom’s store, Rinish quickly moved up to Night Lead at the cafe. Baking is Rinish’s real passion, especially cheesecakes and chocolate cakes. She says she started baking at age 1 when she still couldn’t see over the oven. “Pineapple stuffing and brownies were the first things I ever baked,” she says. “ y mom, Jackie, inspired me. She owns her own popcorn and ice cream business, and I’ve always helped out at the store and at festivals.”

Despite the fact that there’s little baking involved with her job at the cafe, Rinish saw it as a good opportunity when so many other things were on hold. She initially heard about the position through her chef instructor at the tech center she attended and figured it would be a good part-time opportunity until she headed to college in the fall. She didn’t expect to still be working at the cafe full-time in early 2021, but like most people, she’s had to be flexible with her plans. Fortunately, it’s all worked out.

“It’s been wonderful,” she says. “I’ve met a lot of people and gotten a lot of experience in hospitality. I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I just wanted to get as much experience as I could.”

As a Night Lead, Rinish has a mix of duties. She moves between working the register and handling batch cooking. She also manages everyone else on her shift, which is a big deal for 1 -year-old inish. ost of her team members are still in high school, so she sees her role as one where she can really shape her crew and practice her management skills.

So far, she says she’s learned a lot. She’s now a pro at all the Serve Safe protocols, and she knows how to keep her kitchen clean and how to be a leader—none of which she had planned to learn when she first applied for the position. “It’s been an experience,” she says. “I think it’s great that I get to work in my field.”

With life seemingly returning to normal, Rinish is once again eyeing the CIA, but this time around she’s considering staying on part-time with Prime. Like so many others, her plans are still up in the air. But one thing she knows for sure—she’ll have a job with Prime as long as she needs one.

Photo courtesy Kieran Rinish

Kieran Rinish was headed to the Culinary Institute of America in New York when COVID shut down inperson learning. Luckily, she was able to get some hands-on experience in her field by joining the cafe team at Prime’s Pittston terminal.

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“We battled for a while being this close together and trying to run it together. But we love it. I’ve always been in cubicles, but now I have freedom and adventure, and every sunset and sunrise is different.”

—Katherine Milcarek

Katherine Milcarek and Bruno Milcarek Team Drivers, Refrigerated Division

F

or atherine ilcarek, it was when her company put her in a bunker during COVID that she knew she needed to change jobs.

Katherine was a neighborhood coordinator and outreach coordinator for the city of Savannah, Georgia. When COVID arrived, the city moved Katherine and her team into a bunker to answer emergency calls. Then someone in her bunker got C ID. “It was a big deal, and it opened my eyes to what was happening,” she says.

Suddenly, Katherine realized that it wasn’t just her job that was putting her at risk. Her husband, Bruno, was a master plumber and was still taking calls and visiting people’s homes. It was a risk she was no longer willing to take, so the couple decided it was time to make a change and switch careers to something seemingly a little safer—trucking.

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Photos courtesy Katherine Micarek

“I did three months of research, and we found that trucking is pretty much recession-proof,” atherine says. nce they landed on Prime, the couple started studying for their CDLs and saved up as much money as possible to tide them over during their training. y the end of ay, both atherine and runo quit their obs, and by the first week of June, they were headed to Springfield.

Katherine says the biggest learning curve was realizing how physical the job is, but the other major hurdle was simply training. COVID slowed down the process, and then Bruno ended up catching the virus and had to spend eight weeks at the Oasis Hotel to quarantine and recover. “I’m not going to lie. It was tough,” atherine says. “There were times I cried because it was hard being away from my husband.” To check in on runo, Katherine chatted with him through the window and got regular reports from the Oasis cafe team, who would slip Bruno extra fruit parfaits during his stay.

Bruno’s lengthy recovery period meant Katherine’s training also took longer, but on the bright side, it meant she got to train with four drivers. The experience gave her a chance to see all the ways drivers approach life on the road. It also gave her a chance to train with James Fuller. “I swear I had Fuller magic several times,” she says. “ e would ask what I was struggling with and would help. Just like that, the problem was fixed.”

Once the couple was done with training, they quickly made the leap to lease and named their truck Lula Corn Logistics after their granddaughter. From there, it was just a matter of settling in to their new routine. “We battled for a while being this close together and trying to run it together,” atherine says. “ ut we love it. I’ve always been in cubicles, but now I have freedom and adventure, and every sunset and sunrise is different.” atherine has always loved trucks, so she feels right at home. “When we go to truck stops, I like to walk up and down the aisles to look at all the trucks,” she says.

“I want chrome, baby ” To mix things up while on the road, Bruno and Katherine give each other an animal report each day where they share the craziest wild animal sightings they saw during their shift. They’ve also started making a list of places they want to return to for vacations. “ efore this adventure, I’d never crossed the ississippi iver,” atherine says.

Now, the couple has been to 30 states, and they collect a refrigerator magnet each time they enter a new state. So far, the Ozarks is Katherine’s favorite. She loves the four seasons, and Bruno loves Washington State. In particular, he loves the big lakes they drive past through the mountains.

For a couple who started life during C ID in very different places than they are now, oining Prime has given them a whole new adventure to tackle, and this is still their first year on the road. Who knows what year two will bring.

▲ Despite the fact that the Milcareks had never driven a truck before, they did their research and found that trucking was pretty much recession-proof. That was how they decided to give trucking a try.

The Milcareks decided to join Prime as team divers in early 2020 when COVID forced them to reevaluate their careers.

Katherine worked for the city, and Bruno was a master plumber. Now they travel the country in their truck together.

“Before this adventure, I’d never crossed the Mississippi River.”

—Katherine Milcarek

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Dominic Pinnock loves driving, but when COVID hit, he was furloughed from his job driving a transit bus in New York. Then he found Prime and a whole new life on the road.

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Dominic Pinnock Refrigerated Division Driver

Photos courtesy Dominic Pinnock

D

ominic Pinnock’s love of driving goes way back. Pinnock is originally from Jamaica, and his grandfather was a truck driver. So as soon as Pinnock could get behind the wheel, he did. Before that, he had tried other routes. He tried going to school but didn’t like it; then he gave restaurant work and retail a shot but didn’t connect with the work. Then he started driving a school bus in Westchester, New York, and loved it.

From there, Pinnock ended up driving for reyhound, but when he learned he could get a pension from driving transit buses, he left the open road behind and returned to the city. Then COVID hit. “The City of New York stopped all school bus contracts in arch,” he says, “and I was furloughed.” Pinnock says by being furloughed, he lost his health insurance, his pay… everything. At the time, Pinnock didn’t know about Prime, but he knew how to drive, so he started researching trucking companies. “I looked at what companies paid new drivers well, which companies have great equipment, and Prime always came up at the top of the list,” he says. Then he found Prime driver lake Tubbs on YouTube, and suddenly he saw Prime’s purple trucks everywhere. There was just one small hiccup. Due to the pandemic, Prime had a hiring freeze in place.

“I had to wait six months,” he says. “I was following Prime on Instagram and saw a live with ndrea ueller. Someone asked if they were hiring, and she said yes.

I applied that day, and within a week I was ready to go. Pinnock says he enrolled in Prime’s training in mid- ugust and was in Springfield ugust . Coming from ew ork, he says he wasn’t sure what to expect from the idwest, but he was surprised at how friendly everyone was. “In Springfield, people say hi and have legitimate conversations with you,” he says. “I felt like I was on vacation honestly.”

Since oining Prime, Pinnock says he feels “blessed.” “ lot of people my age and who are from where I’m from, they want to be basketball players and rappers,” he says. “ ut no. I ust want to drive.” arely a year into his new career as a driver for Prime’s refrigerated division, Pinnock has already met a bunch of other drivers who joined Prime due to the pandemic, and like many of them, Pinnock’s new career in trucking is giving him a chance to accomplish some long-held goals. e says he’s working on paying off some debt and already has plans to buy a house and eventually launch his own fleet of trucks. Pinnock’s experience bus driving has obviously paid off.

As it turns out, driving freight is easier. “When you’re driving a tractor, it’s just you and your freight,” he says. “When you’re driving a bus, it’s you and your passengers.

People get nasty with you when the bus isn’t moving, but no one yells at you with freight.”

For the city boy who spent most of his time traveling on public transit underground, being out in the sunshine is a welcome change for Pinnock, who says he got to see the rand Canyon, Los ngeles and egas for the first time because of Prime. e also got to he see his godson who was born during the pandemic. “I met him while on a run during T T because of Prime,” Pinnock says. “That’s something I’m thankful for.”

Asked what he sees for himself within the industry, Pinnock says trucking is his umping off point. “I look at this as a tool to start my life,” he says. “I’m only , and if I put in the hard work now, I could really get ahead. I can make sure my future kids are set and my family is set. very day, I en oy my ob.”

“I look at this as a tool to start my life. I’m only 24, and if I put in the hard work now, I could really get ahead.

I can make sure my future kids are set and my family is set.

Every day, I enjoy my job.”

—Dominic Pinnock

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Flatbed Prime’s flatbed division is growing, and for driver Scott Fischer, the increase in interest is no surprise.

BY MEGAN DOLLAR

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S

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

WELCOME TO

tanding outside Prime’s terminal in Salt Lake City, driver Scott Fischer has a great view of the mountains.

He’s not technically based in Salt Lake, but his routes take him through the area frequently, and he’s not complaining. The views are everything out here. Fischer drives in Prime’s flatbed division, and after eight years on the road, he’s seen first-hand how much Prime is investing in growing flatbed. There are a lot of perks to this kind of driving, and the West Coast has ample opportunities for flatbed drivers, so now Fischer is enjoying watching new drivers hit the road.

Although working with trucks wasn’t always his plan, Fischer began driving at a young age. “I started backing up trailers when I was about 6, maybe 7 years old,” he

Photo courtesy Prime Inc.

Prime is focused on growing its flatbed division, especially on the western side of the country.

says. Fischer grew up on a farm in southern Oregon, near the towns Gold Hill and Sam’s Valley. The property was home to many pear trees, which Fischer says produced pears faster than they could be harvested.

As a kid, his job was to drive around the property on an ATV and load up a trailer with fallen pears. “My dad wanted them in this one particular spot, and I had to learn to back that trailer in,” Fischer says. “I remember quite a few times there was a lot of anguish, and I would go out and just pick up the back of the trailer and move it over.”

Today, moving a flatbed trailer by hand isn’t an option. Even though the trailers don’t seem that tall, they weigh a ton and require a fair amount of physicality to secure and tarp loads. Fischer says drivers underestimate the size of the trailers, and

he knows a handful of drivers who have gotten in ured simply hopping off the back of a flatbed trailer. “ ou can’t mess around out here,” he says. “I know they don’t look too tall, but you can hurt an ankle or a knee umping off of one of these.” The physical requirements of flatbed don’t appeal to all drivers, but for Fischer, it’s easily one of his favorite things about the job. s a flatbed driver, he’s responsible for securing loads himself, which requires focus and a good amount of physical labor.

If it sounds daunting, Fischer says not to worry. “It’s not as hard as most people think it is,” he says. The key is paying attention to the details. “I like getting out and being physical around the truck and, you know, getting stuff done. ut, if you booger it, you’re going to have a bad day.”

With eight years clocked in at Prime, Fisher has seen his fair share of the country.

He once drove all 48 continental states, but now sticks to the 11 western states which are closer to his home in southern Oregon.

He’s a curious guy, which lends itself to his job. “I’m that guy who’s not afraid to ask questions if someone will take the time,” he says. He recalls a time he was sent to transport a ,000-pound roll of aluminum to the Reynolds factory. “They take that ,000-pound roll of aluminum and turn it into the tin foil that comes in boxes you pick up at Walmart,” he says. This is part of what he loves about driving flatbed he gets to haul all kinds of unusual loads. He’s also delivered an M777 howitzer cannon. “And that was when I was still in TNT,” he says laughing. He’s delivered 47,000 pounds of PRIME WAYS

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copper to Duracell… the list goes on. One of his least favorite deliveries involved two boats that were hoisted off his trailer by crane. “We had to drive off underneath the boat that was in the air,” he says. “ ou’re praying nothing goes wrong.”

Fischer has all kinds of stories like this. ll of his time at Prime has been with flatbed; it’s the only division he’s driven for. He says he knew early on that flatbed would be a good fit because of his 0 years experience working in construction. “I was interested in seeing the other side of stuff being delivered and built before it reached the job site,” he says. He also knew early on that he wanted to be a driver trainer. When he first started training, Prime still had trucks on its fleet with stick shifts. “It was stressful,” Fischer says. “Try to train someone on a stick shift who has never driven a stick, and you’re coming into a light and the student is looking for the gear. Forget the gear and hit the breaks!” Prime made the shift to all automatic trucks years ago, so Fischer doesn’t worry about this anymore, and the move opened the door to countless drivers who feel more at ease driving an automatic.

Photos by Ettie Berneking.

Fischer likes the physical requirements of flatbed. It gets him out of his truck and means he gets a chance to talk to people about his loads.

Just The Facts If you’ve never driven flatbed, Fischer is here to correct some misconceptions and share his favorite little-known perks to the job.

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Fischer says he runs into people all the time who think flatbed is difficult, but he promises it’s not that hard. “Everyone thinks the tarps are so heavy,” he says.

“Dude, be smart! Ask the forklift driver to help. He has a piece of equipment designed to pick things up. That tarp is a feather to that forklift.”

Having a normal sleeping schedule is easier with flatbed since most shippers and receivers are only open from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Unlike the refrigerated division, flatbed driers take their trailers home with them. That means you don’t have to worry about delivering your trailer anywhere once you’re done with a load.

You can head straight home.

Photos by Ettie Berneking.

Prime’s flatbed division has actually seen an average revenue growth of 8.8% every year since 010, and Prime sees room for more growth. “Prime’s Flatbed Division is one of the largest and most profitable in the country and plans to grow another 100 trucks in the next year,” says rian rown, sales logistics manager of Prime’s flatbed division. “We believe our success in that endeavor will depend heavily on our ability to recruit, train and keep safe and professional drivers.” As more drivers want to spend more time at home, rown says Prime is looking to increase regional opportunities.

“We are pushing for growth in the western 11 states and building our network around our new Salt Lake City facility,” he says.

Along with more time at home, Fischer says having a normal sleeping schedule is another benefit flatbed allows. “Flatbed shippers and receivers are open from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., where refrigerated shippers are ,” he says. “I know several drivers who prefer to get up at a.m. and start rolling, but I’m more of a 4 a.m. guy, and that’s as early as I like to see.”

With more drivers joining the team, Fischer has had plenty of opportunity to put those childhood driving skills to work at Prime. New drivers are always nervous to backup a truck, and as a trainer, Fischer gets to show them the ropes. If it makes them feel any better, he promises they’re not the only ones who struggle with backing in. e says flatbed has given him and his family a great life, and he loves what he does. So for all the new flatbed drivers out there, Fischer says welcome to the team.

A Fond Memory SCOTT FISCHER IS AN OREGON MAN, which means he loves the Oregon Ducks.

His truck is even decked out in green and yellow Ducks gear, so there’s no way to question his loyalty. One day in early 2015, Fischer found himself delivering a load near Dallas on the same night the Ducks were set to play the Ohio St. Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff National Championship. “The night before, my wife goes, well, I guess you’re going to have to find a good spot to watch the game tonight because this is going to be a good one you don’t want to miss,” Fischer says. But, when he realized he would be near where the game would be played he did a quick internet search and found himself a ticket to the game. That night, after dropping off his load, he was driving bobtailed along the Dallas highways on the way to the game when he hit traffic. Before long, a brigade of police motorcycles started approaching from behind. Fischer thought he might be doing something wrong and that they were coming to get him in trouble, so he moved over a lane. But, the motorcycles continued on past him and, before he knew it, so too did the green and yellow buses carrying the Oregon Ducks football team. When the final motorcycle in the brigade reached Fischer’s green and gold truck, he began to slow down and motioned for Fischer to join the motorcade. “He was probably thinking, ‘Oh it’s just the Oregon Ducks driver who’s supposed to carry all the equipment. Yeah, we’ll just let him in.’” Fischer says. “I’m just a Prime driver, man. But, I’ll take it if you’re gonna give it to me.”

Scott Fischer wears his custom Prime safety vest while out on the Salt Lake City terminal.

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Because flatbed deliveries can take drivers to some unusual destinations, backing up in tight construction areas can be tricky. Fischer says this is the hardest part of the job.

But on the plus side, those interesting delivery sites can make the job a lot more fun. You never know what you’re going to be hauling or where it will take you.

Watch out for high winds. Fischer says the winds are such a problem when you’re driving, but they can be a pain when you’re trying to strap down a load. “If you’re strapping in high winds, play it like golf,” he says.

“Turn your truck into the wind, and then throw the strap. It really stinks when you get slapped in the face by a strap. Thank you Mother Nature.

You’re such a help today.”

One perk to flatbed that Fischer was recently reminded about by a student is the fact that when his trailer is empty, he can see out the back. “It’s great being able to see over the top of the bed when you’re backing in,” he says.

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TERMINAL TALK | MAY 2021

fix & protect While Parts and Warranty are two separate departments, they are closely aligned and have the same goal of getting drivers back on the road as quickly and simply as possible. If you’re a driver, here’s the 101 on what you need to know about these two departments and how they’re here to help you keep driving.

PARTS

Focused on procuring parts for trucks and trailers, the Parts Department is a helpful tool for drivers.

Once drivers are assigned to a unit, they’re able to utilize the parts department to source a replacement part, purchase a discounted part, or stock up on fluid and fuses.

“New drivers get really excited, which is a great example of our positive culture, but we can’t technically charge anything out until they’re assigned to a truck,” says Parts Manager Jordan Silva. “Once they have their keys, we can get them everything they need.”

With more than 150,000 parts in the Springfield terminal alone, ensuring mechanical items are readily available is no small task. From inventory manage-

ment and vendor relationships to customer service, this 24/7 department follows the data from parts needed and parts returned to ensure inventory is always well-stocked. “When we start seeing issues that become common, like the same parts start getting turned in, we raise a red flag,” Silva says. “We anticipate those needs and start addressing those with the vendors themselves.”

These proactive approaches are all geared toward reducing the downtime for drivers. “If we look at the big picture, we’re focused on carrying what we need to keep everything rolling,” Silva says. “This helps put us in a better position in the case of a national backorder or inclement weather.”

MEET THE TEAM JAKE HILL

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JUSTIN REED

Warranty Manager

Warranty Clerk

As Warranty Manager, Jake Hill is responsible for warranty departments at all Prime locations.

Justin Reed is a warranty clerk at the Springfield terminal.

Photos courtesy Jordan Silva

BY PEYSON MECKE

JORDAN SILVA

volume—of open warranties. The team has actually reduced the number of warranties past 90 days by half. That’s a big success for Hill and good news for drivers. That improvement alone has resulted in an average payback time of 60 days to Prime drivers once the Warranty Department files the paperwork and gets reimbursed from the vendor. “We are really focused on helping drivers any time they need us,” Hill says.

Parts Manager

As Parts Manager, Jordan Silva says it’s important for the parts and warranty departments to communicate.

WARRANTY

WORKING TOGETHER

When a truck or trailer gets repaired or a driver receives a replacement part, there is always paperwork to fill out. Luckily, that’s where the Warranty Department comes in.

“If it wasn’t for us at the Warranty Department, it would be up to each and every driver to file those warranties,” says Jake Hill, Warranty Manager for the Warranty Department, which also focuses on identifying weak spots, evaluating commonly filed items and providing feedback to vendors. “All we need is the part, which can be mailed back or dropped off at any Prime terminal.”

Once the part has arrived, the Warranty team handles the rest. “Our No. 1 responsibility is to make sure we pay drivers back in a timely manner for open repairs,” Hill says. With more than 8,000 drivers on its fleet, Prime’s Warranty Department has more than $2 million in open warranties at any given time. That means this department has to stay organized. Since 2018, Hill and his team have implemented efficiencies to cut down the amount—in value and

On paper, it seems obvious that Prime’s Parts Department and Warranty Department should work hand-in-hand, but it wasn’t until COVID impacted on-site work that Hill and Silva realized how little Warranty and Parts were communicating.

Luckily, the two departments were quick to fix the problem.

“We have gotten better at communications,” Hill says. “The better we can communicate internally, the better we communicate externally.” In the past year, both departments have worked behind the scenes to make sure processes are aligned and that they’re working together to find balance in value and protection. “We can often find an after-market product, but it might not be compatible with warranties,” Silva says.

This ongoing communication has strengthened the departments and, ultimately, how these departments benefit Prime as a whole. “The priority for Jake and myself is to ensure our drivers are on the road,” Silva says. “We want to support and back them as much as we can.”

FAQ Frank Wentz, Parts Manager and Warranty Administrator in Salt Lake City, provides some common questions and answers.

Q: My truck is only a year old, and I need brakes. Is there any warranty coverage on my brake shoes?

A: Unfortunately, brake shoes are a consumable part, and they all wear differently depending on driving habits. There is no warranty coverage for consumable parts.

Q: I was parked at a truck stop, and someone backed into my mirror and smashed it. Is my mirror covered under warranty?

A: Any type of physical damage is not covered under warranty; however, make sure you have an accident claim with safety. Physical damage caused by an accident could be covered by insurance.

Q: I need to send in a part. Where should I send it?

A: The key for getting a replacement part covered by warranty is sending it to Prime as quickly as possible, which means you should send it to whichever terminal is closest to you.

FRANK WENTZ

CHRIS PATRICIO

Frank Wentz works as parts manager and is the only team member in the SLC warranty department.

Chris works in the warranty department in Pittston.

Parts Manager

Warranty Clerk

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Family Ties

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Driver Gavin Hollabaugh hits the road with a mission: to provide for his family.

W

hen Gavin Hollabaugh imals and has her own zoo with everystarted with Prime, he thing from tree frogs to a bearded dragon,” planned to get his CDL Hollabaugh says. “She’s getting a baby ball and stay with the com- python for her birthday.” pany for one year. Nine Having a big family to support means years later, he is a lease less time at home. A typical week for operator and drives on load select. With a Hollabaugh involves a lot of driving. large family to care for, Hollabaugh likes “Operating a lease and being on load select the stability driving for Prime affords him. means we really only stop to pick up, deliv“You start making more each year, and my er, and do our 30-minute breaks,” he says. goal is to pay off my house and put my kids Technology gives the family the opportunithrough college,” he says. ty to connect, and Hollabaugh checks in on Hollabaugh and his wife, Jodi, have been FaceTime every day. together for nearly 17 years, and the two “My kids think what I do is great, except have a 53-acre farm in Arkansas. “I tell they hate me being away,” he says. “We everyone I love the freedom of my job, make the best of it.” If he’s driving through but I hate being away from my family,” Arkansas, he can sometimes meet them for Hollabaugh says. The couple has six kids: dinner, and he heads home about four to Madison, 21; Noah, 20; twin girls Haili six times each year. and Keelin, 18; Elijah, 15, and their young“I make sure to make it to one game each est daughter Peyton turns 10 this April. year per child, and I always take a week off “Peyton enjoys playing with our farm an- over the Fourth of July, four to five days off

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PRIME WAYS

over Thanksgiving, and two weeks minimum over Christmas,” Hollabaugh says.

Hollabaugh was recently asked to be a member of Prime’s Good Dads Program.

The group offers support for dads on the road who are away from family. Hollabaugh hopes to connect with other dads who are facing the same challenges as him. “We are all out here for the same reason,” he says. “I believe none of us want to be away from our spouses or kids, but we want to provide for them and give them the best life possible.”

He encourages other dads to get home as much as they can and stay involved and connected. Missing his kids has been hard for Hollabaugh, but he hopes his kids can see that driving for Prime has allowed him to give them a better life. “Any parent willing to sacrifice for their family shows the kids you’re leading by example,” he says. “I hope my kids learn the same work ethic to provide for their own families.”

Photos courtesy Gavin Hollabaugh

BY RAE SWAN SNOBL

View From the road What awe-inspiring landscapes have you seen from behind the wheel? Submit a highresolution photo (usually 500 KB or higher) of your truck to primeinc@primeinc.com.

Include your name and caption information about where and when the photo was taken.

Photos courtesy Stephen Polasek, Mike Hutson, Gerald Bowers

 Driver Stephen Polasek snapped this photo of his truck from under the Wilson Arch near Moab, Utah. He says the height made his truck look like a model Prime truck.

 Driver Mike Hutson took a minute to snap this photo while on the road. “Sometimes beauty can be found in the smallest, most unexpected places,” he says. He spotted this shot at the fuel island of the Jubitz Truck Stop in Portland, Oregon.

 Driver Gerald Bowers was out in the early morning while driving through Colorado when he stopped to get a photo of the sunrise. “I’ve been driving with Prime for 5 years, and I absolutely love the safety culture, and the independence that Prime offers,” he says.

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Driver Referral Program $100

Earn $100 when referred driver hauls first load.

$500 1/4 cpm $1,000

Earn $500 when referred driver stays 6 months.

Earn ¼ cpm on every mile referred driver runs after 6 months.

Earn $1000 when 3 referred drivers stay 6 months.

Earnings Example: Refer 3 drivers who stay at least 6 months at Prime, and you would earn $2800, not including the additional mileage pay!

Program Rules: The person that is referred must run under Prime’s operating authority (A, B1, B2, C, or D Seats) as a company driver or independent contractor.

All active Prime Driver Associates under Prime’s operating authority (A, B1, B2, and C Seats) are eligible to receive Prime Inc Driver Referral Program pay.

To earn bonus at 6 months longevity pay and mileage pay, referred driver must be an A Seat.

No driver referral bonus will be earned for referring a rehire (previous Prime Driver).

To earn referral, referred driver must list Prime Driver’s name or driver code on online application or be provided to Recruiter prior to processing application for approval.

For more information, contact Prime’s Recruiting Department at 888-664-4473.

Program is effective as of Jan 25, 2019 until further notice or cancellation. (Prime reserves the right to modify the program at any time.)