I have to say that there is a "He/She ain't gonna be here so why should I bother being nice." attitude in PARTS of the company. In my relatively short (++1 year) with the company I have noticed that there is a definate change in peoples attitudes AFTER you are a grizzled veteran, if 1 year qualifies you as a veteran. Keep in mind that there is a slew of eager "dopes" (howz that AN?) that come through, waste everyones time and effort and then whine their way out the door. That is no reason to be rude to people though. I look at it that every a-hole is an opportunity for someone to win over.

 

I haven't been to Rotan to see the rollover but it doesn't surprise me. Some drivers get in too much of a hurry on that road and do not pay atttention to other trucks coming down it. I stopped once to wait on an empty truck to come in and he ran off the road trying to miss me and almost rolled over. I've heard of trucks taking left mirrors off because someone fails to yeild. If I see a loaded truck coming down that road before I make the turn then I will sit on the right shoulder of 70 and wait for that road to be cleared.

A word of warning to anyone going to Rotan to load. 1 truck at a time on the road leading in/out of Nation Gypsum. That road is only barely wide enough to pass on.

 

There was a demo 386 at the driver rodeo during driver appreciation week. I asked a safety guy if the 386 was the truck of the future at TMC. He replied that Mr. A "hated it". I guess the big guy likes the traditional look. Guessing the 389/388 is where we will head in the future if my assessment is correct.

I would think that the 386 would be a better option, more aerodynamic than the 389/388 and way lighter than the 387. From listening to the fuel mileage guru on Road Dog - Sirius, aerodynamics saves many thousands of $ per year. But alas, I am not writing the checks and I am entirely happy with whatever sweet ride the company provides me.

 

Absolutely true. One does not need to be a military man to know how to treat other people with respect, and it should be common courtesy. Eye contact, firm handshakes, greeting people, etc. are far and few in Des Moines. Being that TMC is supposed to be known as the "Trucking Marine Corps", I expected the people in the office to know better. Whoops! That could be why they see people come and go. It's not the fact that newbies like myself don't belong there or don't deserve it. We know that there's something better out there for us. I don't hate being OTR despite all the hassles (DOT, idiots on 4 wheels, waiting for loads, shippers with attitudes, etc.) I hate busting my a$$ and being treated like dirt just because I collect a check for my efforts. If I wanted that kind of treatment, I would've stayed in the Army. At least there, I get to take out some stress by letting off a few rounds or calling for some mortar fire if I don't get killed in the process. :roll:

I've learned a lot while working for TMC and expect to learn a lot more. It's too bad that right now the company is going through growing pains. Hopefully it won't go too far and things will return to normal. I have yet to see any of the stories of TMC drivers going out of their way to help one another, drivers having a friendship with their fleet manager, etc.

 

I often help other drivers, they often help me. I have helped other drivers and when my truck got loaded they said "See Ya" and left. I shook my head and went on.

I have a great relationship with my fleet manager; it might be considered a friendship. I communicate with him to a fault.

The dreaded safety department? My safety guy is great. The other safety guys are always polite and respectful. Even the dreaded Todd is decent to me.

Human resources, medical, logs, training department, night dispatch. No problems; they are always respectful and courteous.

The shop guys and road repair can sometimes be gruff. That's their problem not mine.

Sorry that you are seeing the bad side of the company.

 

Any one have info input on my previous post?? Getting ready to call and comiit this week to a company and I like what I see and have read here so far...

Thanks folks

 

well i dont run longhaul, but i do stay out for a few weeks at a time and go to cali. i dont have problems getting out there and back. i go to san diego to see freinds and to port hueneme and visit some old hooligans i know. as far as % or cpm, i run % and i am happy. the air dump takes air out of the read axle bags but the tires are still on the ground. just without weight. it does turn/back better (read tighter) like that depending on where you are at.

 

Thanks for the info mudflap... I'm a retired AC.. I was stationed at San Nicolas Island '04 to Dec '05 when I retired..

 

Central California? Depends on what you have near you as to what type of work you get with us. There seemed to be plenty of flatbed freight both in and out of where we were last week, Los Angeles. Not sure about your 20.
I don't officially run long haul but wander around long once in a while. They say every 2 weeks but you have to be proactive by nagging your fleet manager to get home.
Turning and backing a split axle is way more difficult to master initially but once you do it for a few months the split axle is kind of fun. It actually dumps the rear axle and the truck pivots on the front axle.
Most everyone takes percentage but some long haul guys take miles.
Good luck.

 

good stuff. retired FCC here. left DDG97 after she was commissioned and retired at pensacola.