Well my career at TMC ended almost as fast as it began .My trainer lived more then 900 miles from my home and he was a long haul guy who told me we were going to be out for the whole 6 weeks.training started out pretty good i went from Chicago to Kentucky to Long Island to New Jersey back to Chicago then to Nebraska to Colorado.The run from Chicago was a 4 stop load with stops in Lincoln,NE then Aurora,Brighton and Cortez ,Colorado i personally drove across the whole state of Iowa,Nebraska and Colorado all in my 2nd week of training i even drove through Wolf Creek Pass i had over 1200 miles in my first 3 days that i actually got to drive the truck i did minimal driving during my first week just about 400 miles .Well my employment at TMC ended on wednesday morning when i felt something pop in my lower back my trainer didnt even ask if i was ok before he got on the phone and called my training coordinator and told him that i'm frankly too old for the job then proceded to tell me that i should think about another line of work so i quit well i was told yesterday morning that he was going to leave me at a truck stop in Kansas and find my own way home so i got dropped off in a Denver pilot last night i took a cab to Denver International Airport and flew home last night

 

First, how is your back? I hope it is nothing too serious. How old are you that your trainer would tell you that you are too old?

 

My back is still bothering me just got back home this morning at 8 a.m.I'm 38 going to be 39 in another month my trainer was 29.There were alot of issues that i didnt agree with what he was teaching me such as back logging he said everyone does it so i might as well do it too.Personally he was a good guy but not the type of attitude to be a trainer in teaching his trainees that you have to cheat the system in only there 2nd week in the truck.One of my biggest problems was him not idling the truck at night no matter how cold it was outside and the lack of taking showers up till today the last time i was able to shower was last saturday night and the stopping for meals only once a day nothing worse then being cold,dirty and hungry everyday theres also one big thing that he did wrong the 1st week but i'm not going to mention it here i'll just say if the company knew what is was he wouldnt have a job anymore.If my back is still bothering me tomorrow i'll be going to the doctor i havent slept more then an hour since i hurt it wednesday morning.He told me that i should consider driving a Van or a Reefer.I know that one bad trainer shouldnt spoil a good oppurtunity but i'm soured by the way i was treated

 

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damn....I sure hope I don't get that guy to train me!!!

jeff

 

Matt???

Fred???

Are you guys catching all of this? I had encouraged my wife to read this board so that she would feel better about my plans to make a career change, but I won't let her see the last few posts.

 

blackchromefan

Bad things can and will happen at ANY trucking company including TMC. Don't go into this career field and think that everyday is going to be sunny. Cause, it will rain sometimes.

 

I have been around the block for a while, worked for a couple of companies and seen a lot of crap. Lets get one thing straight, all companies are out for thier best interest. What do you think is in the best interest of TMC, treating new recruits like crap not them training them properly and sending them out n a brand new chromed out peterbilt. Get real, I have been with TMC for a while and had my share of trainees. No one trainer can say he has taught a trainee everything and be truthful b/c that is just not going to happen. I take a personal stand to make sure my trainees know how to safely operate a truck, secure a load, handle daily life on the road, do everything legal, and make a good check. If I dont feel my trainee has accomplished this, believe me they will be on a greyhound heading home. Not dropped off a truck stop looking for their own way home. I have never heard of or seen anything like that happen at TMC, I call BS on that. As far as being to old for flatbedding that is crap too, my best friend who is 59has been flatbedding for over 30 years and can run circles around me. TMC may not be the best company out there I dont know, but they have treated me very well and have earned my respect. Every person has individual needs and desires, hell there are people who find theirselves happy with companies like Swift and J.B. Hunt.
I guess what I am saying is that you cant go off what people are saying entirely, find the company whose policies fit lifestyle and go with them. TMC is among in my opinion the top companies for making money and getting hometime, and our insurance is really good to. I just hope that if you are interested in coming to TMC that you compare us to others, the choice will be apparent I promise.

 

I will tell you that it is not BS when they told me that i had to find my own way home i was lucky that a friend got me a flight on Jetblue out of Denver.It was there attention to drop me off in a Pilot in Kansas so i decided to get my ass out of the truck in Denver.I dont think all trainers are like mine was i'm sure there are alot of good ones out there

 

sounds like it was a personality problem between the two of you? Might have been better to ask for a new trainer? Rather than just quit? Training problems are often a two way street. A lot of what you found objectionable is par for the course with long haul drivers. Most want to make sure they drive the most they can each day. Most do not stop to eat "out" each day. They expect you to pack food to eat in the truck. A shower each week is about half of what I think most get in. But if you gave him a hard time maybe he didn't stop as much as he would have if you two got along OK. If you get picked u by another company you would be wise to try and get though the training. When you get your own truck do it your way then. Also tmc sells a nice bunk warmer and a heavy sleeping bag is a good thing to have. Tmc would rather you didn't idle. Hope you have better luck next time.