PTL Questions

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.

 

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.

 

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.