PTL Orientation (Murray,Ky)

Well just arrived in Murray Ky a few hours ago and got checked in at the "dreaded" Magnolia Inn I had read so much about. Actually I find it not bad at all. The past reviews I had read on here had me feeling like I was about to walk into something that would make section 8 housing look like Beverly Hills. Its no 5 star resort by any means but what is in the trucking industry? Its a basic place to lay your head. Its clean, quite.. besides the gentlemen in the room next door who obviously have an affection for hiphop and "Hoes" as I hear them continuously repeat over and over. From what I gather from the conversation they are here for orientation as well and either knew each other in the past or hit it right off. They seem to be really enjoying each others company. As for me I was fortunate enough to receive a room to myself. A spacious kingsize bed with a bathroom, clean towels, a tv with plenty of channels, and free wifi that actually works.. So I'm a happy man. Upon arrival here at Magnolia Inn I was greeted by a straight forward no nonsense front desk clerk who quickly informed me of the rules and regulations of the hotel and where I would be picked up in the am by PTL to be taken to the training facility for orientation. Breakfast I was told would consist of bagels and donuts and all the coffee you could drink. I was then quickly greeted by the onsite PTL representative who had me follow him to his office, which is basically a hotel room that has been converted to a PTL management office. I was told the rules and regulations once again about proper conduct and etiquette that was to be expected of me while on the property of the hotel and informed of the eating arrangements, which consist of a voucher for dinner at a place within walking distance called the sirloin sizzler or something to that nature. I was told to be in the hotel lobby at 6am and that a van would be there to transport myself and others to the PTL facilities at 6:30. I will keep this thread updated as I move through each day of orientation. I have arrived, checked in... now ready to get 1st day of orientation started.

 

Well 1st day of Orientation down. It was a busy day full of paper work. Much to be expected. The van showed up at the hotel at 6:45 and we packed in like sardines. We arrived at the PTL facilities a short 10min later and filed into the classroom. Not really much to say about this but basically we did paper work.. And more paper work. At 10am we were taken to the back lot and put through a backing and menuvers test. I was tested on a straight line off set menuver, a serpentine menuver and the alley dock backing. You have 7min to complete each one. Basically as long as u don't hit anything and show decent control of the rig you'll pass. After that I was served lunch. Fried chicken, mash taters and gravy, corn and Coke. Then yea u guessed it.. More paper work. We were released at 3:30 and shuttled back to the hotel. At 5:00 we attended a 1hr class on QuallCom giving us the basics of the operating system. At the end of the class we were all givin our dinner vouchers for the sirloin steakhouse (buffet). I wish there was more exciting news to write but honestly it was a pretty bland day of literally sitting and signing your name to what felt like an endless mound of paper work. Since I was one of the first to pass my driving skills test, (only 2 of us tested today) I was told there is a chance.. Small but a chance I could possibly get a trainer by tomorrow afternoon... Not getting my hopes up but it is a possibility. If not, and I don't have on by wed, I will not see on till after the new year. Which is ok as well for I will just return home and spend the holiday with my family. I do feel for the guys that may be stuck here in the hotel for the next week tho. We have a small class so hopefully that want happen. Will update on tomorrow's progression

 

2nd day of Orientation was the same as the first just not as much paper work. They took the others that had not done there skills test to the back lot to complete it. One failed and he was sent home. Guess they wasn't joking about that. We went over procedures, safety, maintainece, and the trainer-trainee process. At the end of the day we were given a trip back to hotel with instructions to be back at training facility the next day for trainer selection. Finally we would be placed in a truck.

 

Paschell Truck Line based out of Murray Ky

 

So Wed day morning comes and bright and early I arrive at the PTL training facility. I report to driver assignment. The guy behind the desk has me sign in and tells me to go to drivers lounge and as trainers come in I am to identify who is a trainer or not and talk with a trainer. If we both agree to train together we are to come back in to driver assignment and the will put in the paper work and we got the road. On my way out the door I notice a man standing outside the door who looked pretty well put together. Clean cut, shirt tucked into blue jeans with a razorback hat on. About early 50's.. I was hoping to get with an older driver who may have more experience to share and someone who was neat, put away and the fact he was a southerner like myself was a added benefit. I mean I do have to live with this guy for the next 5,000miles. I asked if he was a trainer and he said yes. I introduced myself and we shook hands. We talked briefly.. He explained what his daily procedures were and what he expected from his trainees. I ask to Sergio truck. We went and took a look and his rig was squared away nice and neat with everything in its place. This was a good sign. A messy rig is a good indication of a messy driver. His bottom bunk was nearly made with a Razorback flag proudly displayed on the back wall. He was a Arkansas boy from the Ozarks. Not what is Ga boys would normally consider southern but close enough! He agreed to take me as his trainee and we signed the paper work.