January 19, 2023

PGT Trucking’s Job Application Process for Flatbed Truck Drivers

Are you considering a flatbed trucking job? Do you already have your Class A CDL? If so, apply to PGT Trucking today, and we can have you in Training and Orientation by the following week! Our experienced team of Driver Recruiters are standing by, ready to help you become the next Proud Professional. Here’s a step-by-step overview of PGT’s flatbed truck driver application process so that you know what to expect along the way.

Step 1: Complete an Application

Interested candidates should submit a DOT application to PGT using their UniversalApp through DriverReach. If you don’t have the UniversalApp, you can easily create an account when you apply. The application is also mobile friendly!

To complete PGT’s flatbed trucking application, you’ll need the following information:

  • Personal: Social security number, date of birth, address, contact information.
  • DOT Qualifications: Years of driving experience, DOT Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse history.
  • CDL License: Includes any endorsements or TWIC card (if applicable).
    • All applicants must already have an active CDL.
  • Motor Vehicle Record: Includes any commercial or personal tickets or violations.
    • Please provide as much detail as possible when listing any incidents.
  • Accident History.
    • Please provide as much detail as possible when listing any incidents.
  • Employment History: Must include at least the previous three years. You can also upload your resume and add any CDL school or military experience.
    • PGT uses a percentage pay model based on verifiable experience, so it’s important to include ALL commercial driving history to get credit for your pay scale.

Using your DriverReach dashboard, you can view, edit or check the status of your completed application.

Step 2: Meet Your Driver Recruiter

Once you apply, you’ll be assigned a PGT Driver Recruiter. Your Recruiter will review your application and reach out to you with additional information using your preferred contact method (phone, text or email). Your PGT Driver Recruiter is available to you at any time throughout the process and will guide you all the way through to Driver Training and Orientation.

Your Driver Recruiter will get to know you as a person, learning about your pay and home time expectations, your hobbies and interests and your family life. Our goal is to ensure that PGT is the right fit for you and your family. Your Driver Recruiter is there to answer any questions you may have about PGT, including your benefits, career options, training needs and more. PGT Recruiters are evaluated on their ability to provide transparent and accurate information, not by how many candidates they bring in the door. At PGT, you can trust that our Driver Recruiters are giving you honest answers, helping you make an informed decision for your career.

No experience? No problem!

We accept new CDL truck drivers with no experience (you must already have your Class A CDL). If you recently graduated from CDL school, your Driver Recruiter will have additional prescreening questions for you, learning more about your family life, your interests in trucking and your long-term goals in the industry. Flatbed trucking is a rewarding yet challenging career, and we want you to be prepared for life over the road. Your Driver Recruiter will give you an in-depth overview of our Driver Training and Orientation Program, including the time you’ll spend driving with a PGT Certified PRO Trainer. Once you are pre-approved, your Driver Recruiter will continue the application process.

Step 3: Driver Reports

After reviewing your application, your Driver Recruiter will order your commercial driving reports, including your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), criminal background reports and Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP score). The reports are processed quickly, and your Driver Recruiter will let you know if your application needs to be updated with any additional information before proceeding.

Step 4: Predictive Index (PI) Behavioral Assessment

Your Driver Recruiter will also send you a link to complete your PI behavioral assessment. This tool helps PGT understand your natural behavioral tendencies, giving us insight into who you are. Based on your PI results, we’ll match you with the Fleet Manager who best complements your style, building a solid foundation for your relationship from the start. The PI consists of a few questions about your personality and how you work, and it takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. The assessment is mobile friendly, but it’s helpful to complete the questions in a private setting with minimal distractions.

Note: There is no pass or fail result on the PI.

Step 5: Operations Interview

Once your application and PI are complete, your Driver Recruiter will schedule your Operations Interview with one of PGT Trucking’s Fleet Managers. At PGT, your Fleet Manager is more than just a dispatcher. They are true partners, supporting you every mile to help you succeed over the road. During the Operations Interview, you’ll have an opportunity to speak with your potential Fleet Manager, letting them know your expectations for pay, home time, preferred shipping lanes, commodity types and more. In return, our Fleet Manager will prepare you for PGT’s standards on job performance, utilization, communication and professionalism.

PGT believes in laying the groundwork for a successful partnership by having you speak with our Operations team during the application process, ensuring that our viewpoints are aligned before you make a commitment. We encourage you to be honest during the interview, sharing your true expectations – how much do you need to make each week to support your family? Where are you most comfortable running? What do you want out of your trucking company? This is your opportunity to learn more about our daily processes and determine if PGT is the right fit for you.

After the Operations Interview, your Driver Recruiter will check back in with you, confirming that you’re ready to proceed with PGT Trucking.

Step 6: Drug Screen

Next, your PGT Driver Recruiter will order your drug screen authorizations through Foley Services. We’ll provide you with the closest location that is within our drug screening network, and your paperwork will be provided directly to the facility.

At PGT, we require a urine test and hair follicle analysis. It can take up to 10 business days to receive results, so it’s important to complete this step in a timely manner.

Step 7: Send Us Your Credentials

After completing your drug screen, we’re ready to schedule your Truck Driver Training and Orientation. You’ll need to send us copies of the following credentials so our Training Department can prepare your file:

  • CDL (picture front and back)
  • Social Security Card
  • DOT medical card
  • TWIC (if applicable)
  • Direct deposit information
  • Other items may be requested as needed

Step 8: Truck Driver Training and Orientation

PGT Trucking’s industry-leading Driver Training and Orientation program is a five-day course at our facility in Blairsville, PA. Once you are scheduled for the week, we will arrange your travel, including your transportation to the Pittsburgh region (if needed), lodging for the week, and local transportation to and from our training facility. Company Drivers will receive Training and Orientation pay, including a per diem for meals.

Every Tuesday morning, our new class of Proud Professional Drivers is introduced on a video call to the entire PGT corporate staff, including company executives, helping us to welcome you to the PGT family. Our Corporate Chaplain also meets with each class during the week, encouraging personal and professional growth through strong personal connections. These meetings are an opportunity for you to ask questions, learn more about PGT, and experience our safety-focused culture.

During Truck Driver Training and Orientation, you’ll receive in-depth classroom instruction and hands-on opportunities focused on safety, cargo securement, advanced driver training and more. Our team of instructors consists of veteran CDL drivers with over 100 years of combined experience. They will walk you through everything you need to learn about flatbed trucking, including the proper securement of steel coils, plates, rails, wallboard, lumber, pipe and more. You will physically secure mock loads in our Training Bay, strapping, chaining and tarping the various commodity types, and complete an evaluation on driving, securement and PGT Trucking best practices. For experienced flatbed drivers, our Training team will help you brush up on the basics and learn the PGT way, getting you back out on the road quickly.

PGT Flatbed Truck Drivers are Proud Professionals. A proper appearance must be maintained on the job at all times, including the week of Driver Training and Orientation. Drivers are expected to be prompt, ready to start class every morning by 8 a.m., and wear appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE). We’ll supply you with a pair of work gloves, a reflective vest, a hard hat and safety glasses. Make sure to bring your steel-toed boots and appropriate work clothes for the week, including jeans/long pants, long sleeve shirts and other weather-appropriate clothing. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, sweatpants, flip flops, tank tops, torn/frayed clothing and items with words, terms or pictures that may be offensive to others.

After your training, you are ready to get on the road! Based on your experience level, you’ll either be seated in your own truck on Friday, ready to pick up your first load and head back home, or assigned to ride with one of PGT’s Certified PRO Trainers, learning from the very best in real-world scenarios before seating in your own unit.

Your Driver Recruiter will continue to stay in touch during your first few months, making sure you’re acclimating to life at PGT, and your Fleet Manager, Safety Manager and Training Staff are all available to you 24/7/365, supporting you every mile so that you are never alone on the road.

Welcome to the Family

Our extensive flatbed truck driver application process will ensure that PGT is the right fit for you. With PGT, you will be supported by a team of quality professionals committed to meeting your expectations. To help ensure your success, PGT offers transitional pay to Company Drivers for the first eight weeks, giving you time to adjust to your new flatbed trucking job, and there is no contract required.

Apply now or give us a call to chat with a Recruiter today!