Hey guys, thanks for any help you can give me. I have been out of trucking for a year and I want to get back in. Unfortunately, all the companies I want to drive for require a refresher course and the only one near me in TN (I have contacted all schools in my area) cost $2,000. I don't have that. So, PTL seems very appealing because they offer one in which they will pay me to take. The big problem for me is that they only offer two days at home per two weeks and I have wife and 3 kids. But if the pay is worth it, I can do it for 6-12 months and switch over to a company I want (We have been renting for four years and want to buy a house, so the reason for the money comment). Anyone know what the pay is? Also Schneider has been reaching out to me. Anyone know if they offer a refresher course. Before you advise me to call a recruiter, I want to hear it from drivers first before they try their sales pitch. Thanks.
Here's an idea; go with PTL for 12 months then switch to Cardinal Logistics in Goodlettsville. They require 1 year experience. With Cardinal you can be home every day if you want or be home weekends or 2 or 3 times during the week. Go visit their terminal which is in the Associated Grocers Warehouse in Goodlettsville and tell them what you're doing. It would be worth a visit before going to PTL. Schneider does hire in Nashville and they will require a refresher first in most cases. To my knowledge Schneider doesn't have their own refresher school. Never hurts to ask. Their best division is tankers for pay wise. I think RE West in Lebanon has refresher course with no cost to you. Don't know the details. Their biggest account is hauling hot water heaters out of Ashland City. I'd recommend talking in person to the terminal manager at Cardinal first though.
You've been checken out all the mega carriers haven't you?How much exp do you have?There's drivers that take a 2 yr leave from the industry but because they do have exp no refresher is needed and because they looked into small to med carriers You having a family,2 days every other week is not nearly enough quality time at home with your family.How old are your kids?
I have looked into local but I do not have the required experience as I only have 4 months. I worked at Pepsi out of Nashville for awhile but they cut my pay in half. They work you 16 hrs a day. At first that was good because I was getting big paychecks but then they put everyone on commission, which means you do all that driving, pulling off the truck, wheeling it in, and stocking at no pay, you only get paid for the product, which cut my checks in half. I looked into other bottling companies but their drivers all tell me it is just the same, which is why so many go OTR for a year and then get on with good local company.
Thanks for the advice man. I talked with PTL and Schneider and I think Schneider has a better deal for me. PTL said I would do a refresher, then go out with trainer for 2 wks then go with another new driver for 8 wks. After that they will send me out 2 to 3 wks at a time at .33. Schneider told me that I would not need a refresher course and I would be with trainer for only 2 wks and then on my own, plus one of their terminals is 45 minutes from my house. They told me I would be on a dedicated account but will not find out till tomorrow more details of that account. Thanks for the help and hopefully we will see each other at a truck stop.
Take a look at Averitt,they offer a refresher,AAA cooper,and make phone calls to inquire about possible accounts in your area.Keep your family in the plan,and good luck to ya.
I tried them but they turned me down, but after a year or two I might give them another try. Yeah that's why I turned down PTL, $1,000 a week sounds good but have to go 3 wks without seeing family.
