Let me put it this way.

You will get better training, in a better facility, and stay in a better hotel in Des Moines. Way better, like in multiples better.

Go to the mother ship. It will help you in the future.

 

I don't believe you could have made it any more clear than that..

I sent that T.M.C. recruiter a message, I still haven't heard back from him yet, I guess it will have to be next weekend, I'll be back out on the big road again tommorow..

 

hey TMC drivers hows it going?
I am thinking of making the switch from cassens to TMC to much union bad trucks and down town Chicago.
I have been with cassens since Jan this year just curious at what to expect from going to TMC. Will have the full six weeks with trainer or will it be shorter?
My driving is ok but still lots off room for improvment and will i expect a road test and could i ask to stay out longer with a trainer.
Spoke to many TMC drivers on road all i have spoken to seem happy and equipment looks top of the line. Better than my car hauler with 1.5 mil miles on it. Thankx for any help. Goldie great web site

 

Aldo,

Check with a recruiter to see if you are line haul (home every weekend) or long haul (home every other weekend). Matt, AKA TMC would answer your PM. I can't tell from the map on www.tmctrans.com whether Detroit is in or out of the line haul area.

We are generally a happy lot. I/we run into plenty of bullcrap out there that frustrates us. Most of it isn't the company but shippers and consignees. I guess that goes with the business.

The company is a good one. The have delivered what they promised. The trucks are nice, I have a nice one. You can also get an old Freightliner too until it wears out and you get your new Peterbilt.

Most of my TMC compadres are content but many have dropped out too. Many drivers quit in the first few months, many abandon their trucks and walk off. To be perfectly honest with you, I have had my moments. Be sure that you understand flatbedding; tough physical work mixed in with occasional lousy weather can beat you up pretty bad. For a new driver the money is very good.

Good luck and keep checking in here for information. TMC drivers love to spew opinions.

I am guessing that if you have only been driving since January you will have to go through the whole process, or most of it. Perhaps not.

 

NC and aldo, i sent you both a PM.

 

NC Trucker- I pm'd you, sorry for the delay.

Von- Detroit is just on the Line-haul line so we can get guys home 46/52 weekends per year in Detroit.

I know some people have mentioned how they might be the only ones left out of their orienation class after being here for awhile, sometimes this is true for the simple fact that this is career change for most of the people we hire and it's tough for them to be away from home. Most guys don't know how hard it is until they do it. You guys can attest to this and if there is any advice you can give to newbies, I think that is the main thing they need to look at. I guess you won't know if you can do it until you actually get out in do it. What I have noticed is it's either in someone's blood or not. It can be a rewarding career but there a lot of sacrifices to make in order to be successful.

 

This is why I like this company. Everything, good and bad is up front for you to make a decision all during the hiring process. Even from a recruiter!

Trucking, especially flatbedding, is not for everyone. It ain't just about listening to the radio and driving. There is much more than you can imagine; pressure, paperwork, safety, responsiblity. Understand that in flatbedding every load can kill you or someone just minding their own business. You can't cut corners because your load, without that last strap or chain, could mean serious injury to soemone; just because you are dead tired doesn't mean you can compromise safety. We have to look at it as our very own families are in the other cars on the highway; they are someone's family that is for sure. That's a lot of damn pressure.

Carefully consider your choice of trucking as a career move. Carefully consider flatbedding as a viable option. Even consider whether TMC is the right company; you may not like doing things the TMC (right) way.

Good Luck

 

Havn't seen a post from tcurr lately.
Hows he doing?

 

I am heading to Des Monies to work for TMC.
They have classed my as a driver with more than three months experiance since i have been driving for cassens since Jan.
The trucks at Cassens are seven speeds no spliter and you do more loading and unloading of vehilce than actuall driving.
I am just a little concerned about the road test that TMC is going to give me.
I haven't driven a conventional tractor trailer since i was at school last December 05.
I was hopeing some one could give me some info on the driving test and i was wondering if the instructors are understanding about the differnt levels of driver skills. Do they have you do a 90/45 degree dock etc and would they be ok if i missed a couple of gears.
I am excited about going to TMC and i imagine load securement is just like hauling cars.
Any info would be great.

The Highlander

 

Aldo,

TMC completely understands new drivers and is very patient with them. You will be retrained their way of backing and driving. As you may know, a 48 foot spread axle is very hard to manueuver as the rear axle is all the way back. Thank god for the air dump.
You will have some difficulty, like we all did, with the super 10 and thirteen speed transmissions. Again they will show you some good techniques and be helpful.
The testing is to determine whether or not you are ready for the next step, 6 weeks with a trainer. You can make mistakes within reason, everyone does.

Good luck.