My PTL Experience Log

Discussion in 'PTL' started by Big Ugly, Jul 15, 2014.

  1. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    So it's been a little while & lots of things have happened. Mostly outside the biz family issues that have no place being mentioned here (no deaths or divorces just dealing with 3 teenagers & all the drama that comes with it :biggrin_25521:) & that has kept me from being active in this thread. Bottom line things are still going good for me here at PTL & I have no major complaints to report. The junk trailer issue seems to be on the fast track to a resolution as the company has ordered 500 new trailers to be phased in by the end of this year & another 500 to be delivered by the end of March 2015. That'll go along way toward dealing with poor equipment issues when matched with the new trucks that have DEF.

    I'm going to offer up high praise for PTL & my fleet manager as well. All of my issues on the home front that have been a taxing nightmare have been a real drag on my miles & my sanity. But the company has been awesome getting me home each time I have needed to be there in a hurry & have placed no arguments or difficulties in my way to burden me further. That has been a welcome blessing.

    As long as things continue on this path & I keep getting support to deal with the problems on the home front from PTL I see no reason to leave & seek employment elsewhere. My pay has suffered & my attitude has been quite salty because of those issues but the folks in Driver Support & the Operations side of the office have been great to work with & showed tremendous patience & understanding. And I truly appreciate it!!!
     
    OPUS 7 and hal380 Thank this.
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  3. robbiecox6

    robbiecox6 Light Load Member

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    Big Ugly, I know all to well about them teenagers. what part of North Carolina are you from? I live in Greenville.
     
    OPUS 7 Thanks this.
  4. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    I'm from Rutherford County. A little county that time has all but forgot west of Chatlotte along US 221. But we have several dozen PTL trucks passing thru daily connecting between 185 & I40 so I get home whenever I pass by.
     
  5. moraramis

    moraramis Light Load Member

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    Did the guy doing your DoT physical mandate you have a sleep study done automatically because of your weight, or because you told him you felt tired in the mornings? I'm trying to get an understanding if those CPAP machines are becoming mandatory for overweight people, or if they are just being issued for people who have genuine sleep apnea.
     
  6. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    I've been on a CPAP for almost 4 years. I've got a small pooch over my belt but the rest of me is pretty solid. Large shoulders, arms, legs, thick bones & still pretty well toned. It was my wife who made me get tested because I just couldn't sleep after coming off the road years ago. My circadian rhythm had become so out of whack I had to have sleep testing done. So I came to PTL already under my doctors care prescription, machine, & all necessary supplies in hand. I'm probably the wrong guy to ask how that'll work at PTL. I do know if you have a valid medical card when you get here they just let you use that. So I can't be a good source of info there.

    Word is however, I don't have it firm but enough DOT officers I've spoken to have said so, that sleep apnea testing will become mandatory in the future. So take that for what its worth. Personally speaking let's say it's the best thing I ever did getting a CPAP. It takes some time to adjust to but it makes all the difference in the world once you do. The main issue I had was getting a mask to fit me right & I was golden. So it's nothing to resent or be afraid of.
     
    scs9113 Thanks this.
  7. moraramis

    moraramis Light Load Member

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    The only part I resent is being forced to take an expensive sleep study test to prove I don't have sleep apnea when I know I don't have it. Now if I did have it than I wouldn't care. I would of already done the test and have a machine. I just don't particularly like the idea of being presumed guilty until proven innocent. The cheapest test I found where I live is $1200 dollars. My insurance doesn't cover it.

    While $1200 dollars doesn't seem like a lot of money compared to the money I pull in as a independent dispatch agent, I'm currently loosing my shirt in a divorce. I won't get into the specifics of it, but I'll probably have to get back out on the road again after 10 years off it. I dropped my CDL and endorsements after my nightmare experience with CRST, so I'll have to get those back at a school that at least offers 160 hours. PTL processed my application already and gave me a guaranteed hire after I finish school, unless of course I do something stupid between now and then like ramping the school truck through some fiery hoops and into the side of pre-school. Barring anything dramatic like that I should have a job.

    Are International Prostars the most common truck in the PTL fleet? I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of electronic gizmos the sleeper will fit. I'm trying to at least have a mini fridge and tv/dvd combo in there along with a slow cooker and maybe a hot plate. Last time I drove the only time I ate outside of the truck was only when I was in Texas and hungry for a stake dinner.
     
  8. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    I hear ya about being forced to do it. But as I say it was not that way for me & I have no clue if they make you get tested here or not. That info you'll be better off getting from a recruiter cause I would probably tell you something wrong.

    The Prostar+ is the truck of choice. There are a handful of Cascadias but they are old & due up for retirement in the coming months. Lease Ops & Owner Ops of course have other trucks to choose from. And honestly condition of these trucks is hit & miss. I mean some are pristine & look #### near new even though they may be a 2012 or older. I've seen 2014s that you can't sit in the #### seats they are so destroyed. I don't know if pets cause it or just lousy hires that don't respect the equipment but it's a crap shoot in some cases. Best advice there is take what is offered immediately to get rolling & you can always change out later if you want. It only takes a visit to the Operations Director & he'll put you in a different rig. As for space I'll give you an idea. I currently have a 19" TV, a PS3 for Blu ray movies, a 700 watt microwave, plenty of food, a plug in electric cooler, a George Foreman grill, & enough clothes for 2 weeks before I need to wash everything. I really can't say I want for much of anything in that regard. I'd surmise you can fit everything you mention in here with no real issues.
     
    OPUS 7 Thanks this.
  9. moraramis

    moraramis Light Load Member

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    Do the trucks have built in power inverters, or will I have to purchase one on my own?
     
  10. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    Sorry for the exceptionally late reply. Life has kept me busy with little time to post here. Now for an exceptionally late reply that may no longer be relevant to you.

    All of the trucks have inverters in them already & they are rated anywhere from 1500 to 1700 watts. It varies with the truck is what I've found. You can bring your own portable inverter as well to use in the 12v sockets but with a few well placed extension cords that are cleverly hidden it's unnecessary.

    Again sorry for the late reply.
     
    Last edited: Nov 9, 2014
  11. Big Ugly

    Big Ugly Light Load Member

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    After a long time of absence I'll try to keep this updated more regularly. Yes I'm still with PTL & have had plenty of mechanical issues with the Maxxforce engine in my truck. That'll surprise nobody that has driven one. I'm still relatively happy with my job here & have no plans to look elsewhere. PTL is like any other company & has similar issues so I see no need to leave & start over.

    In a side note. There is an outright false bit of information in one of the other threads here on the PTL board. I'd urge anybody who sees that sort of information that you know to be false to call it out. It doesn't matter what trucking company it's about if you know it's a lie speak up & make it known. PTL is a good fit for some drivers & a bad fit for others. Is that news? It's called trucking & no two driving jobs are perfect or right for everybody. There is only a driving job that is right FOR YOU. There is no need to vent your anger by posting ridiculous & provable lies on this message board or any other to make yourself feel better. Show a little class & represent this industry a little better.

    That's just my 2 cents so take it for what it's worth.:biggrin_25519:
     
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