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What's the word on PTL?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wade73, Jul 4, 2014.

  1. Jul 4, 2014 #1
    Wade73

    Wade73 Light Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2014
    Springfield, IL
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    From reading the forums, it doesn't sound like there are any good starter companies, but is PTL at least decent? What are their pro's and con's? I'm hoping to get with a company that runs all 48 states, has APU's and allows inverters for tv/fridge etc., pays decent and above all treats it's drivers with a little respect. I know I'm asking alot, lol! Also, I would prefer to run during the day most of the time although I know I won't be able to completely avoid overnight runs. I want to keep those to a minimum. I'm thinking dry van makes most since as a rookie. I've been leaning towards Prime until I learned that they put their new drivers in tiny trucks. Your thoughts on companies for a rookie?
     
    Wade73, Jul 4, 2014
    Wade73, Jul 4, 2014
    #1
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 4, 2014 #2
    tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    IN
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    You should put your location in your profile
    , and do you have the money to pay for CDL school, or need to go through a company sponsored school
     
    tucker, Jul 4, 2014
    tucker, Jul 4, 2014
    #2
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  4. Jul 4, 2014 #3
    Wade73

    Wade73 Light Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2014
    Springfield, IL
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    Updated my profile. I'm in Springfield, IL. I do have money to pay for CDL school. I will be going to a community college most likely.
     
    Wade73, Jul 4, 2014
    Wade73, Jul 4, 2014
    #3
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  5. Jul 4, 2014 #4
    tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    I'm not a recruiter, I won't even give my truck number out in a PM for the referral bonus. All trucking companies are annoying, just like me and every other driver.
    As for starting pay and the pay increase after the first year, maybe check out in the Favorite section for the Crete thread, ignore my posts as I am me.
    As for as a real refrigerator, a cigarette style inverter won't power one.
    Sometime, I'm planning on getting one from Truckfridge. A 12 volter that works, allegedly.
    Although, I'm more partial to the great food that seems to be near where I park.

    Crete is real picky on what school you go to, and they put you with a trainer for 8 long weeks, but they pay the trainee a lot (too much, in my view) per week.
     
    tucker, Jul 4, 2014
    tucker, Jul 4, 2014
    #4
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. Jul 4, 2014 #5
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    PTL is a good dry van company and has APU's, but I don't think they run 48 states; mostly Eastern half.
    Here's a few companies that have APU's/inverters:

    System Transport
    Melton Truck Lines
    Navajo Express
    Smith Transport
    Maverick
    Halvor Lines (not sure)
    Sue Vinje Trucking (not sure, but all trucks equipped with Bose Air Ride Seats)

    While in school, get all the endorsements in case you decide to go tankers. Get a passport for Canada runs and TWIC for entry to chemical plants, military bases, seaports. You can submit applications the day you start school, so you will have plenty of time to sift through job offers and make the best choice for what you want.

    There plenty more companies with APU/inverter, that it's just hard to keep up with.
     
    Chinatown, Jul 4, 2014
    Chinatown, Jul 4, 2014
    #5
    Plan-B Trucking Thanks this.
  8. Jul 4, 2014 #6
    MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

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    Somewhere I'd rather not be...
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    You basically just described Prime...

    The midroof Cascadia is not "tiny". (Well, maybe it is compared to a 120" custom sleeper, but you're not getting one of those as a rookie.) I've been in one, and there is a surprising amount of room for your stuff. Besides, Prime pays you an extra 5 cpm for the lighter truck.
     
    MsJamie, Jul 4, 2014
    MsJamie, Jul 4, 2014
    #6
  9. Jul 4, 2014 #7
    bubbavirus

    bubbavirus Medium Load Member

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    Oct 6, 2006
    directly over the center of the Earth.
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    PTL used to mail my home recruiting letters.

    Haven't seen any lately.

    See their trucks a bit.
     
    bubbavirus, Jul 4, 2014
    bubbavirus, Jul 4, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 5, 2014 #8
    Wade73

    Wade73 Light Load Member

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    Jun 11, 2014
    Springfield, IL
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    Thanks for the feedback everyone. I haven't given up on Prime, but I saw a youtube video tour of the lightweight...looks like the bed butts right up against the drivers seat, and there was no passenger seat. Not impressed. I haven't given up on them, but that is definitely a con in my pro's and con's list. Chinatown, thanks for the recommendations, I will have to read up on those companies. Maverick looks pretty darn good, and they have hired from the community college I'm going to attend. I can't tell whether the do dry van. I suppose reefer would be ok. I hear those guys sit alot though. Is that true?
     
    Wade73, Jul 5, 2014
    Wade73, Jul 5, 2014
    #8
  11. Jul 28, 2014 #9
    Guardian 91

    Guardian 91 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 26, 2014
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    All of Mavericks trucks are automatic. They are Flatbed, reefer and glass transportation.
     
    Guardian 91, Jul 28, 2014
    Guardian 91, Jul 28, 2014
    #9
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