PMTG - new to the company

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MrsSkidmarks, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. MrsSkidmarks

    MrsSkidmarks <strong>Stain Fighter</strong>

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    Nov 10, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
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    Hi everyone...my dh has just completed his first run for Tri-Star actually, part of Precision Motor Transport. He ended up in one of their old trucks, driving OTR, and has no sleeper.

    For those of you who know those old trucks, and know how brutally low they are (I thought he was exaggerating when he said how big they are and only 3" off the ground...he wasn't!)...do you have any knowledge of good motels to get in and out of out there (and even those to stay away from) while on the road? He'll be driving all over of course, but we live in Missouri, so he may be driving runs to KC, Kansas and Colorado occasionally.

    We also had one heck of a time finding a place for him to park in St. Louis. The one we found isn't great...it's costing us a good amount out of pocket each month, it's not super close to home, etc. What DO all of you out there do with your rigs if you don't have the land to park it by your house? (we're in a very populated area) I've checked with local PD's even...they told me even if the store/property owner gave him permission, he could still be towed if they didn't have an overnight permit to park rigs. This parking thing is a HUGE problem for us, had me soooo stressed last week when I knew he was coming home and didn't have anyplace for him...found this parking spot on Friday and he was headed home on Saturday!

    SO...if there is anyone out there who can offer some bits of info that might be helpful, I (WE) would certainly appreciate it!! Thanks in advance!
     
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  3. evertruckerr

    evertruckerr Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 14, 2007
    Phoenix, AZ
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    I would be very interested in knowing how things work out with PMTG, I almost went with them before choosing Crete. Please update this post and let us know how life it hauling cars.

    As far as parking, have you tried the Pilot in E. St Louis or the Flying J. When I've parked there it didn't seem like there was anyone paying attention to what truck was parked where or for how long. Just a thought.
     
  4. rainman1971

    rainman1971 Beamerhauler

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    Aug 22, 2006
    Pierceton,IN
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    I ran one of those old Auto Elite trucks my first 3 months with PMTG. I am also a Tri-Star driver now in a 9 car. Truck 0529. Tell your hubby to hand in there with the truck. I know he will have a hard time loading and unloading at first and tell him that it's not a permanent thing being in that truck. I don't know why they put those things back in service. We have had so many drivers quit because of those things. As far as motels, Kevin Johnson should have issued him a hotel book that has the motels that take the card. He should call ahead to make a reservation and ask the manager what the parking situation is. Another good idea is to park in the truck stops that have hotels in them. Granted most do not take the card, so he will have to pay for it on his own, but he can turn in the receipt and get reimbursed. One motel I can think of off the top of my head that he should NOT park in is the Comfort Inn in Corbin,KY. Two of us make the mistake of parking there when we were on our way to Greer for training. I almost tore the tailcone off the truck at 2 in the morning! If he is in New Jersey and needs to lay over after loading, the Swan on 1 and 9 in Linden is OK. You park behind the Diner next to the joint. They take the card and is a place to lay your head. Welcome to the company and I hope you guys hang in there. I am very happy to be working for them and I am making the money they advertise. Feel free to send a private message if you need some figures and some advise that I may not be able to post in the public forum.
     
  5. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
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    This might not be much help and he probably already does this, but get motel books from different motel chains, super 8, motel 6, etc. Most of them have it listed if there is any truck parking or not
     
  6. MrsSkidmarks

    MrsSkidmarks <strong>Stain Fighter</strong>

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    Nov 10, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
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    Thanks to you both, rainman and rockee!

    Rockee...I'm mention to him to do that if he isn't already...that could be a big help!

    Evertrucker...I really don't want to go pick him up in East St. Louis in the middle of the night, we have thought about that though. He wants to be a bit closer to his truck so he can check on it. The Flying J...is that the one out in Foristell? We've thought about that too, but that's also quite a haul for us. It's irritating when I see so many huge empty parking lots close to home and no one will let him use a few feet of it a few days out of the month! ;) This is probably the hardest job he's ever had, but he really likes to work hard, but it is also very very physically demanding too! Crawling in and out of windows in sportscars isn't the easiest thing for middle aged men! LOL!!! He's getting back into good shape FAST though.

    Rainman...we do have a multi-page copied printout of all the motels that accept PMTG's corporate card, but he/I still have to call them and get details. I told him that since I'm not working now that I'll do his motel scouting for him...I don't know how you all drive, do your books, all the paperwork, drive, load/unload/fuel, AND search down motels! Tonight he's in KS...I narrowed the 8 area motels down to 1 and he said it worked out real well. Google earth is awesome for scoping out the landscape too...because alot of the hotel clerks will tell you anything to get you in there and you know darn well that with these low trains you have to weed out the ones with the hills. (I call it a train because it is way too big to be considered a truck in my mind !!!)

    I cannot believe you mentioned Corbin, KY. That is so funny, because I'm thinking my dh may have stayed in that exact motel a few weeks ago, because he too just about mashed that tailcone in one night on the way down to training!! He was mortified having to call that one in! LOL!! He'll kill me if he knew I posted this so SHHH! :biggrin_2559:

    Thanks for the positive words of support. He really likes the company so far...and is really hanging in there with the positive 'tude about the truck. He realizes it probably isn't forever, and just wants to work hard.

    But holyyyyyy cow...what a HARD job you have! I would have thought that loading/unloading CARS would be a piece of cake...you certainly earn every cent you make and then some!! I applaud you for the job you do!

    :biggrin_25514:
     
  7. MrsSkidmarks

    MrsSkidmarks <strong>Stain Fighter</strong>

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    Nov 10, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
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    Rainman...Dh just gave me permission to post his truck # for you. It's 2113. He's glad I hooked up with you. :biggrin_25523:
     
  8. rainman1971

    rainman1971 Beamerhauler

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    Aug 22, 2006
    Pierceton,IN
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    Good deal!!! I guess since he's in KS tonight, he'll be home Thursday. That is excellent. I got a drive by here tonight. I have to deliver in Englewood,NJ in the morning then take my truck down to Piscataway,NJ for service. Every once in a while they use vendors to handle the services if the main shops are backed up. This should work out well. I don't have a long list this time, really only 2 things I want done besides the usual PM maintance. I should be in and out tomorrow then load my load for Wednesday up in Jersey City. I'll keep an eye out for dh. Have a great night!!
     
  9. MrsSkidmarks

    MrsSkidmarks <strong>Stain Fighter</strong>

    390
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    Nov 10, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
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    Ummmmm nope. He's not out of hours yet, and when he mentioned a stop to his dispatcher he said 'sorry', so he's basically going to do a drive by (we live 1 mile from Hwy 70) and keep on heading east. :biggrin_25511: None of us are too thrilled with that, but we also know he's got a job to do so we'll just keep our chins up and won't talk about all the great food we're having on Thanksgiving. ;-)
    Maybe I should send him to YOUR house on Thanksgiving :biggrin_25522:since you're out east. (J/K)

    Thanks again for the words of encouragement...I passed them along and he really appreciated them!
     
  10. rainman1971

    rainman1971 Beamerhauler

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    Aug 22, 2006
    Pierceton,IN
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    My truck is in the shop and my wife was more than happy to drive the hour and fifteen minutes north to pick me up. I would be more than happy to have Dh for Thanksgiving but we are spending the day with friends. We haven't had Thanksgiving at home for years. It's just easier to go out and not have the clean up hassle. I'm suprised that they are making him stay out for the holiday. Who is his team leader? I'll have to kick his tail!!
     
  11. MrsSkidmarks

    MrsSkidmarks <strong>Stain Fighter</strong>

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    Nov 10, 2007
    St. Louis, MO
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    Yeah, it's a shame, considering he's blowing thru home town tonight. He tried to get his 36 off starting tonight, but they said no. Soooooo...we live with it. ;) It's that '48 hour delivery' deal. He's pretty close on hours for the day though when he hits St. Louis...so we'll get to see him for dinner or something at least tonight. He will probably have to stay the night in town...but can't sleep at home because we have no place for his truck.(parking when he's home is our major problem area) Maybe I'll need to just go meet up with him in his room. ;)

    And for the record...as nice of a guy as he is....I would never REALLY ask anyone to take his sorry butt in! :biggrin_25525:
     
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