PTL- Happy So Far

Started with PTL mon.. let me start back one week ago.. I originally was going to Western Express last Mon 6/3.. Upon arrival and hearing the intructors and listeniing to other drivers there waiting for 2-3wks for trucks.. I left oreintation.. they didn't reimburse me squat.. I called PTL, spoke to a recuiter who was very knowlegable of WE issues and he took my info.. he was straight up with me and cleared me in 24hrs for orientation this week.. NO BS or lies from the recruiter.. he told me what pay is, sign on bonus and plan, and approx. miles to drive... The main reason I chose PTL is location.. Their HQ is 15ml from my house.. I thought of returning to Maverick where I have worked before and was cleared to return there as well, but after talking to the household boss (aka the WIFE); we decided that PTL would be a better choice at this time.. We both know people that have driven for PTL, and all said they were ok..

So started Mon. with orientation, it was the typical thing.. Meet in front of hotel, shuttle to PTL University.. File into class.. The tables were set up w/ name plates for assigned seating.. Our lead instructor is Gregg.. Nice guy, spoke in clear concise voice.. informed us of the days plan, and didn't waste time.. they intially gathered license, med card, long form, and ss card.. they took those up and identified those that had out of date med cards and scheduled for physical.. as another instructor checked paper work, we began the 4hr process of more paper work and signing consents and forms.. just your standard stuff for any empoyment.. we took a break around 0930, then lunch around 1130.. they don't waste time on mon.. alot of info to cover and they try to get as much done as possible.. Don't get me wrong, if you have a question, they would stop and answer them and not move on until everyone is clear on it.. Lunch was raost beef+gravy, mash pot., corn, roll, and coke in a can.. after lunch, more paper work and started going over comdata, logs, elogs, and qualcom.. If you have done any of the above, it's basically the same w/ a few company specific items.. They assigned a home work page on loging and compliance.. nothing hard.. then shuttle back to hotel.. they give you a voucher for a local buffet about 600ft from hotel..

Tue, started at 0645.. more log info, qualcom.. transflo.. company policies.. then road test.. they also had a prostar simulator there this week.. not a regular thing, but really neat.. I have never drove a international so i thought it was a great learning exp.. The international sim. attendant was very knwledgable about the forcemaxx engines and explained the process of low rpm, progressive shifting, and best performance of trucks.. then back in and more edumacation.. lunch.. chicken fried steak+gravy, cole slaw, white beans and roll.. coke in a can... back to class.. went over safety and securety.. routing, and then had the recruiting director come in.. He was straight up, spoke frankly and told it like it is.. he explained how they assigned loads, why they do, and the over all process for PTL (or any company) in gaining contracts and providing their service.. Very informative and I think it might have cleared things up for some in the class that were doing the normal groaning.. Next was king-pin assignment and door locks.. you pay for these out of your check, $10/ week until paid off($175).. sounds high, but matching keys and numbered locks.. Then came time for truck assignment.. We were told right off that not everyone would get a truck on tue.. Kevin Fox is Operations Director, he is also straight up and tells it like it is... He first id'd teainees and refreshers.. then after he moved them out for assignement to another room he then informed us of what trucks were avail.. singl bunk, double bunk, freightliner, prostar.. he then ask your preference.. after that he then informed the class that he had 5 trucks to be recovered and asked for volunteers.. they pay for your ride in a PTL van to truck and to clean it up.. he picked persons that homes were close to trucks.. He then released us and told us when to be there tom.. So, if all goes well.. tom. night I will have my truck and hopefully my first load and be on the road.

Don't let me miss lead you, even thought it was quick, and everyone is straight forward.. They also had amazing attitudes, and made things enjoyable and funny at times.. And they now have a driver support service, this service is for the driver.. people that you can contact to report problems, service issues, or anything that is making it difficult to do your job.. Doesn't mean they can fix it, but if they don't know about a problem they sure in the hell can't address it. These persons report directly to the CEO and Director of Recruiting.

But the most of what I took away from my orientation is that CSA is the law, they want all their drivers to comply and if they don't they will be gone.. Their main focus is customer service and satifaction.. With Safety FIRST..

Hope this helps, and despite all the negative threads on here, I think that PTL is striving to get the company to where it needs to be in accordance w/ FMCSA and driver satisfaction.

(Please: Constructive Comments ONLY!)

 

Your welcome, and good luck to you.. Have any questions, i'll try to answer

 

Well, went to terminal today and the ops manager was able to get everyone a truck except myself and a refresher team.. I am to check in in the AM about truck availability.. Nothing bad to say, this is mainly my fault; I was asked Yest. what kinda truck I wanted, I said Single bunk Cascadia.. None available today.. So tom. if still none open I will tell them to put me in anything they have.. Not being difficult, they asked and I told them.. But can't sit here much longer, so i'll take whatever they have.. Anyway, today we sat around, had lunch.. fried chicken, mash potatoes, corn, roll, and guess what coke in a can!! it was all good and free.. so anyway, that was my day.. after truck assignments I came home..

 

Ok, today is Friday.. Still at the house.. Operations didn't have any single bunks available, told me they would call later or to call back Mon. morning.. I informed ops that I would take anything they have.. was told that they only have double bunks in Murray, and not sure what is available in W. Memphis: the double bunks are for trainers and refreshers.. That I understand.. And seeing how I live 10-15ml from HQ terminal no sense in wasting money to send me out for a truck.. That too, I understand.. Besides no loads would deliver until Monday anyways.. So looks like I will be home for Fathers Day.. whoohoo! Will be glad to get my truck and on the road though.. just glad I have some money stored up at this time, but it won't last for long! Will update when and if things change.

 

Good news, was awakened this AM by ops manager asking if I could get there quick.. Told him about 1 hr.. he asked if I could be there sooner.. I informed him I would just throw on some close and be there.. Arrived 27min after hanging up.. Was assigned a truck.. They had a couple turned in last night, and he had me one.. 2010 International Prostar Premium.. was assigned unit #.. went to inspection house and received check off list and inspection sheet.. Went to truck and started outside inspection.. Did walk around and noted 3 items (loose mirror, lower grill facia partially off, and cracks around headlight housing w/ light being able to be jiggled).. Then checked engine, all good.. checked APU, good.. then went into cab and inspected.. First the inside smelled horrid, second there was grease, oil, and filth everywhere.. The qualcom mount was duct taped to doghouse, All the cabnets worked but were also dirty.. the floor had some kind of white goop/powder on it.. the seats had tears and cracks in them.. and several pieces of plastic trim were hanging loose.. needles to say, I went back to inspection office with my notes and informed inspection attendant.. I would not accept truck at this time.. He was totally understanding and placed truck in OOS for maintenence.. He then informed me that it was good that I noted all these things becuase when they are returned, they do a general visual inspection and replace the obvious.. If I had accepted truck like that and then returned it with all the cracks and issues I would have been charged for it.. Mechanically the truck sounded good and drove around the yard fine.. Tires were great and I have no doubts that it would do what it is suppose too.. But in this day of CSA, and considering myself a professional driver.. I don't want to get points for simple things that should be fixed and operational before I leave.. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure the truck will pass a DOT inspection.. Not trying to be picky or a pain in the ###, but in the end it is my score and reputaion.. But most importantly it is me who has to live with myself if something was to happened that injured or killed someone, all becuase I allowed myself to drive a CMV w/ "minor" issues.. SAFETY FIRST!!

Just remeber when you get a new truck or trailer, to always give it the best inspection you can, and correct any defects immediately..

It may be one of your family members driving behind or beside that unit on the road.

Hopefully tomorrow my truck will be ready to go..

 

Well been 15 days since last post.. I received my truck, had all the needs fixed then headed out.. Best I can say so far is it's been ok.. My first couple runs were a cluster.. I didn't get dispatches until after pick-up(PU) times.. then ordered to swap a couple of times then cancelled after I am rolling and with in 1 hr of arrival.. I finally made my consignees on time on last 3 runs.. first runs I was late. mainly due to dispatch times, and delv. times not with in reason for HOS.. But now that I have the system down, it's going better.. The driver support persons are a great help.. they advise you on best times to put in ETA/PTA.. They also keep up on your HOS and dispatches and help to correct the discrepencies.. I did have an issue with my air hoses last wk.. Had several leaks and finally had them fixed.. The maintence dept. has been awesome..If you have a prob. call breakdown number and they get you rolling... I did have one issue with one maintenence person, but that was quickly resolved w/ call to driver support.. He advise me that as long as my PSI was above 80 it would be fine to go.. Thing is, the PSi would drop 20-30 on service break usage.. And during pre-trip checks it dropped continually when service break pressed.. The mechanic found 1 leaking hose and 3 pressure fittings leaking of the regulator block.. The trailers so far have been good.. I do a very good pre-trip on pick up, and report any issues to maintenence.. They will route you to a service center, usually a TA.. As a driver I have fixed basic things I find, like ensuring the air hoses are secure and not rubbing or kinked.. I also check the tire depth.. this seems to be the most frequent find.. Most of them are right at 4/32's.. the company policy is replacement at 4/32... I report it and get them changed as directed.. All my runs have been very steady.. good time managemnt and you can make it work... My first wk I only ran 4/7 and had 800ml.. second wk 2900.. this wk I am at 1400 and home until fri... They have been good responding to calls and qualcom.. to be honest, it is easier to message FM instead of calling.. all other departments just call.. As far as the loads, no touch, drop and hook, and live loads.. Some of the other things I found is that the route they give is not always thee best.. Case in point, give me a route from Savanah, GA to Louisville, KY.. they give going through SC>NC> VA>WV>KY.. with 5-6 rdifferent roads and all mountain driving.. I called Driver Services, told them that I16 to I75 to I24 to I65 was much better w/ Mount Eagle being the only major terrain feature.. They said OK, and changed my fuel solution.. So just call and address it with them.. They know we know the road better then GPS.. the total milage difference was 23miles.. but the fuel savings was probably at least 10 gal.. All the post on here that are so negative about PTL aren't very accurate from my experience.. They have a low CSA score, and they are focusing on that and improving driver CSA scores and truck/ trailer inspections.. Speaking of.. In my 15 days out, I had 1 road side L-III inspection and pulled in to all weight station.. w/ only 1 station doing a second weigh.. I can proudly say that the most important thing I learnt in CDL school was doing a good pretrip.. and it has paid off.. the second weigh I knew was going to happen.. I picked up a load that after adjusting my tandems 4 times and doing the best I could, my tractor/trailer/load/ full fuel tanks; my steers were over by 80 lbs.. When I hit the weigh station in TX i had burned about 12-15 gallons.. My second weigh there was 11950 on the steers.. so i was good.. When I arrived at the home terminal this AM, went through inspection, all was good and I had a list of items I wanted to get checked/ serviced..

I realize this isn't the full spectrum of my last 15 days, but a good over-all view.. Anyone looking into PTL I will say this.. So far, they have been good to me; great miles; easy to work with; and they seem to be very focused on safety and CSA.. two things I, as a driver, really care about.. Give them a chance and do the right thing on the road.. If you decide to go with them, my name is in my profile and would appreciate if you put my name down for referal..

Any questions, just ask.. I want to up front and honest, and fair/ just...

Have a Happy 4th, and enjoy safely!