Pinellas Technical Education Center

Why yes, yes I have. I'm a graduate from their program.
I'll tell you my experience there: it was excellent!

First and foremost: it's cheaper than Roadmaster.
Secondly, you get a quality CDL education.

I believe Laura is still the head of that department. She's a former truck driver herself. Al is an incredible guy. Very patient, very understanding. He's the one who taught me how to shift. (I knew nothing about manual transmission when I started school)

I keep forgetting the 3rd instructor's name..I want to say Jim. He's the one with the white mustache. HE is the guy who strikes fear into everyone who goes through the course. He's patient to a certain degree but when you start messing up, he will make it known to you. Some times loudly. Some people cannot handle that. Although unconventional, what he's doing is basically waking you up. It's a reminder that trucking isn't a fun little game. Sure it's fun to sit behind the wheel of this nice big semi and go down the road thinking you're all big and bad but what his loud yelling reminds you is that this is NOT a game. It's not for wimps. You're in command of a machine that at certain speeds is capable of killing someone if you're not 100% in control. The safety of yourself and the motoring public around you is at stake if you're not paying attention to everything going on around you.

Some people forget about that. Jim doesn't let you forget it. He also hates it when you don't listen to what he's telling you. If you're backing and he tells you to turn the wheel right. TURN IT TO THE RIGHT! Don't think you know what you're doing and do something else because he will get mad, and he will yell at you for not listening and following directions.

The book work they assign you is also very important. Sure driving and practicing your backing is important but so is learning what's in the book. Also when they put on a video to watch...WATCH IT! Don't go to sleep. Don't start talking to people in class. WATCH THE VIDEO. We were surprised once or twice with a pop quiz about a video after it was over.

There is a major trip project they give you that is important to your grade. Don't forget about it or forget to do it. It's a little intense with trip planning, map reading, route planning, doing the logs for each day for that assignment and preparing BoLs. It's pretty much a sample of things you'll be doing out here on the road anyway.

They will have recruiters come in to talk to you. In my class, myself and a couple others went to work for Werner. I know 3 from my class went to McKenzie Tank Lines. I'm not sure about the rest. I think my class had 12. One failed the physical. I think one didn't pass the background check. (they run your MVR) One couldn't pass the road test and one had personal issues with the instructors. I don't know if he ever passed the course or not.

I'm actually a little jealous because the day cabs they have now are old Publix day cabs. They look great! A lot nicer than the day cabs I was doing laps around their track with.

The training you will receive is excellent. The instructors are excellent. The facility is excellent. The equipment is excellent.

When I was in training with Werner, my trainer told me I was one of the best students he's ever had. I credit that to PTech. Well that and my own personal initiative to learn everything and really succeed.

Oh they also base a small portion of your grade on professional appearance, so don't come to school sloppy!

Hope that helps. Any other questions about the program I'll be happy to answer.
I've been known to drop by the school on my home time and see everyone and talk to the new students and give them an opportunity to ask questions to not only a current truck driver but also a former PTech student.

p.s. one funny thing I heard about is that a year or two ago they actually had to question what an "unacceptable MVR" would be. I believe the answer from someone at the DoT said "if you have to staple the print out."

 

I need 7 posts to send you a PM, so I'm bumping this old thread.

What recommendations for have for hotels near the Tech school?

I live in the Panhandle (Navarre) and I'm not commuting.

Thanks

 

Research the area. Not the best place in the world. Find the one that fits your needs based on the address

 

What an excellent description of the course! I just finished the first week. But, Jim is no longer there. Now we have Steve (and Al and Laura of course). Steve is a lot like Al, patient and laid back. A great group of teachers imo. We only have 6 in the class this time.

I don't know the area very well but from what I understand, where the school is located is not the best area of town, but you just have to go a few miles to be in a better area.

As for hotels, if you stop at one of the rest areas and pick up one of those coupon books (the big green one) you can get some good deals. Just look up the hotel on the internet to read reviews first so you can get an idea of how good or how bad the hotel is.

OH BTW, I heard Al telling someone that they still have 3 spots left for the next class (Oct 3) and then they will put 4 on stand-by.

 

The area around PTEC is not a good area. If you continue going north on US-19, it's still not a good area. If you go south on US-19 towards the Skyway, it gets a little better.

There are plenty of hotels and motels on St. Pete Beach but I couldn't tell ya what the prices are like or if they offer multi-night discounts. There's also a small toll to get out to the beach and then another toll on your way back to St. Pete. (like 0.50 or something, each way)

Probably the best place for a hotel along US-19 would be anywhere north of 22nd Avenue North.

 

Have you talked with Al at the driving school? I overheard him telling someone about 'the trust fund'. I'm not sure exactly what that is but he keeps telling people that he will call them when the funding is available. So I would call him and ask him. Also, have you looked into WIA?