I just started with PTL (orientation on Monday) and so far they seem alright. Only the one full decent terminal, the others are a service yard or drop lots... I did see a bunch of new Freigtliners while in Murray, autos unfortunately. But looks like they are making the effort to get some decent equipment in. We were also told they're getting more trucks and trailers(for those who may have seen the stories on the horrible trailers in rotation currently) I'm out in phase 1 now and my trainer has a nice 2014 ProStar. Haven't had any issues with the maxxforce, yet, fingers crossed... All in all seems like a decent place to start and possibly stay if the miles are good.
My PTL Experience Log
Discussion in 'PTL' started by Big Ugly, Jul 15, 2014.
Page 5 of 12
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
Let me be the bearer of bad news. Of course that depends on how you look at it too. Those new Freightliner Cascadias you saw, & they are nice by the way, are the sign of things to come. It seems the decision has been made to switch to an all automatic fleet @ PTL.
I myself have just been assigned a newish Prostar+ (after considerable problems & breakdowns with my previous truck leaving me stranded in Atlanta... but that's another post entirely) & you guessed it, full auto tranny. I've never liked an auto shift. But since I only drove one once years ago I had no real frame of reference either. Well after a little over a week I've adjusted to this truck. I'm actually starting to begrudgingly respect an automatic too. The major issue I had from the start wasn't the downhill gear searching, frankly that's not been an issue. The truck holds the appropriate gear almost without complaint. No it's backing maneuvers that gave me fits. I'm used to engine torque idling me along in reverse. Not so with an automatic! You have to give some throttle & learn to massage it along to get the truck & trailer in place. I sorta got the hang of it now so I'm less bothered than before.
As for the other issues associated with an automatic I've not experienced any. Heavy traffic in both New Orleans & Orlando showed me the true blessing of not having to creep along & rev into a float or clutch to a dead stop then off again. The auto tran really shines here. -
Oh & the West Memphis terminal is about to undergo a major renovation soon. A full drivers lounge with laundry & showers & a new operations office will be constructed. So it'll be much nicer going there too.
-
I think in a decade most carriers will be switched over to automatics. Some carriers like Maverick already run a mostly automatic tranny fleet. The drivers I've seen on here seem to like them. Does your automatic pull as hard as your manual did?
-
Thank you thank you thank you. As a total newbie to career number 2, it's posts like this that are great reading.
-
Of of course most of this could be just my mind playing tricks on me. And everybody's evidence to the contrary is anecdotal to their truck or situation so I'll just believe it's better all around thus far. If nothing else this much is certain. I'm no where near as fatigued after 9-10 hrs behind the wheel driving this automatic as I was in previous trucks. My feet aren't sore at the end of the trip & my back doesn't feel stiff either. -
Do you know anything about the lease purchase?
-
-
Thank you I was just curious. Considering that route for a time before an outright truck purchase.
-
Best advice I can offer is before you even consider a lease purchase at ANY company would be to sign on as a company driver first & get a feel for how that business operates. From Safety to Dispatch, Fuel, & all things in between. In my opinion knowing the way a company operates in those areas will let you know what to expect, or at the very least, give you a better picture of said company. Promises from all companies should be taken with a grain of salt when it comes to lease purchase programs. I've yet to see one that isn't riddled with loopholes & pitfalls that lead to nowhere for the driver.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 5 of 12