I was "accepted". I'll need to discuss this with my wife, get back to her and schedule my orientation start.

Originally, I was looking to go "local" only, but soon realized that was a lot tougher than I thought. I'm still a bit aprehensive..... being away from home for the training for 2 weeks, then away for 6 weeks with another driver isn't the most appealing thing I can think of. I'm thinking it will be worth it, in the long run, though.....getting in with a "good" company from the start.

Opinions? I'll listen!!!

jeff

 

Could be worse . . . you could be heading to Iraq . . . 6-months training away from home and then 60-70 weeks away with 50 other grunts in 100+ degree heat while getting shot at by lunatics.

You can do this. It's nothing. Just get your war-face on and start telling yourself you're going to kick ass. Start doing mental imaging . . . visualize yourself succesfully doing whatever it is you imagine you'll be doing. Memory-wise, your brain can't tell the difference between real experience and imagined. Use that to your advantage.

As far as sharing a room and a truck cab . . . hey, you never know. You might meet a really great human being and forge a life-long friendship. Besides, human brains are hard-wired and set to default to cooperate and live in tight quarters with each other. Psychologically, it's going to be a whole lot easier than you think.

Start getting in good physical shape . . . pushups, squats, situps. Walk or jog. Stop smoking.

Set a goal to be the #1 driver TMC has and start working towards it. Prepare carefully. Focus on preparation instead of anticipation. The way the human brain is wired, you won't have time to be apprehensive as long as you're focusing on preparation and hard work.

Airborne troopers are always scared $hitless the first time they jump out of an airplane. So you make them focus on safety, attention to detail, solid preparation . . . and they don't have time to anticipate the first step out the door.

So, for example . . . say you can do 25 pushups in one minute right now. Set a goal of doing 45 before you go to TMC Orientation. Focus and start working towards that. Focus on getting the right gear. Focus on learning something about trucks or engines or the Department of Transportation (LOL) . . . just set goals and stay busy.

Finally, remember that if TMC didn't think you could hack it, they would not have hired you. Your record is obviously good which means you're a disciplined individual. Hundreds of thousands of guys have done this job before you.

Hey, I'm 52 and have been doing bizarre stuff with the military all my life. I'm still apprehensive about going to TMC too! It's natural.

And always remember . . . they can kill you but they can't eat you.

 

thanks for the input, FROGMAN. Yeah, when you put into perspective like that (soldiers in Iraq) 6 weeks training, being away from home 2 weeks at a time is a joke!!

 

Well, you know, Basic Combat Training is 9 weeks long.

Think of this as going off to Basic . . . only, you'll have a lot more fun and you're definitely going to get paid better after it's all over.

:wink:

 

"Set a goal to be the #1 driver TMC has "

Sorry, that job has already been taken! There is no shame in being number two, though.

 

I'm guessing that's you? LOL.

How do you like TMC???

 

No, that would be me once I make my decision to join TMC. :wink:
By the way Terry what finally persuaded you to join TMC? I'm sure you did an extensive research on other companies.

 

I've posted in the other topics on TMC. I'm the one that went to orientation, during my physical they found an Umbilical Hernia and sent me home to take care of it. I'm scheduled for surgery this coming Monday. If there are no complications my Surgeon will release me in ten days. I think TMC's doctor will require 30 days. That will put me back in orientation the first class of the New Year. I don't mind sharing the number one position, I think there is more than enough room at the top for any and everyone who want to excel.

Why I picked TMC? A lot of it was Fred's post. Then I read anything and everything I could find on TMC, I talked to many drivers. TMC is not perfect, though they are close speaking as someone who hasn't driven for anyone yet. The pay is excellent, novice drivers can make as much as experienced drivers. As a novice that is important because I will give them everything I've got. Now ,that might change once I become an experienced driver. I might wonder why all these wet-behind the ears drivers are getting as much as me.

I wanted to be a flatbedder. You get some exercise, it will break up your day so you don't have the same routine of drop and hook or bumping a dock. I like the idea of securing a load myself, I know what I am capable of and the care I take in doing a job correctly. The liability does not bother me. Most loads on a flatbed have less wind resistance than a big box, making it safer to drive down the highway.

TMC is opening a terminal in Dallas in 18 months or so. I'm 50 years old right now. I may want a job at a terminal later and I can stay here in Texas.

Lastly, TMC has great equipment and they take care of it.

 

hmmmmm....I like the sound of that since TMC is on my list and I am from the San Antonio area. 8)

 

I forgot: TMC is know as The Marine Corps or Trucker's Marine Corps, that appealed to me as a former Marine. Semper Fi.