thanks, Terry............ see ya on the road!!

jeff

 

No PM

 

WHEEeeeee!!!! Seems like all the new guys are finally in their training phase and doing WELL! Congrats to ALL of you and keep up the good work. I look in on you all now and then and so far, so good. NO major screw ups!!! As always, even though the recruiting part has been long done with a lot of you, you can feel free to call anytime if you have a question, problem, or just wanna chat.
GOOD LUCK out there and be safe!

 

Found this on another Topic post. Is this something one has to look out for in the real world? Me?, I'm the kinda of person that's willing to take the sh!t load just because money is money IMO. Am I wrong or should one look at the here and now instead of the future?

 

Usually when you want to get out of or into an area, (in my case New England), you get the crap loads. Unfortunately, if you turn down a load and have to sit overnight, you get paid nothing.

Percentage works out 90% of the time for most TMC drivers. One of the worst, per mile, loads we get is copper from Phelps-Dodge @ $0.34 per mile to Norwich, CT. The load has bad and good points. A, it gets me home, B I load once and drive a lot so my per day $ average is good. On a per mile basis it stinks, yeah . This actual load was 2414 loaded, 135 bounce, total 2549. It paid $878.70 to me. I run it in 4 days, thats $219 per day. A good one day load might pay $750 to the truck or $210 per day. So the $0.34 per mile looks OK. Now, those loads from Norwood that pay me $0.31 per mile, and got to be delivered the next day, they just suck; $148 to me.

Thankfully, the loads average out. Unless you feel that your fleet manager is hosing you, most don't, you just suck it up.

The shippers know that they have us by the balls this time of year so there is a lot of sucking it up.

 

I've read this entire thread and I must say I am impressed with TMC. Looks like they have the best flatbed training out there not to mention the best equipment a driver could ask for.

I'm currently working for one of the "Big Three" automakers, and with all the downsizing going on in the auto industry, I am trying to do all of my homework now instead of "if/when" I lose my job.

Some questions I have concerning the best steps to take if I find myself put out of a job:

1. Schooling, should I go to a school that TMC recommends out of state, or one that is close by where I live. There is a SAGE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL close by that is PTDI certified, it's 150 hour course and one thing I like about it is, all the time on the road is one-on-one with an instructor, no sharing time with 2 or 3 other students.

2. Do you know of any trainers that reside in Indiana, I'm about 50 miles north of Indianapolis.

3. Is there any regional or dedicated divisions in my area?

Thanks for any info you can share and I must commend all of you for representing TMC with such pride and professionalism. It does reflect well on all of you as well as the company!

 

1. I would talk to TMC about what school they prefer. I did a Sage PDTI course, I believe they like that. PM "TMC" on this thread or call recruiting and ask for Matt.

2. Not sure of trainers in Indy area. Pretty big freight hub, and we have a terminal there. I would imagine that you might not have a huge problem getting a trainer.

3. Again, ask Matt about regional/dedicated in Indy. Maybe Fred can chime in.

Thanks for the compliment. IMO if all the drivers in the fleet were like the posters here, we would own the flatbed world...not that we don't already!

 

Thanks for quick reply Von !

I considered calling the recruiting department and asking them some questions, but didn't want to waste their time since I'm still employed in the auto industry. I know that they keep quite busy and have many new drivers coming in for orientation, that I didn't want to be a burden. So I figured I could find out from the drivers on here.

Thanks again for you quick response and I hope you have a safe and productive week!

 

That is their job. They would be elated to speak with you.

Again, I would reccomend talking to Matt. He wasn't my recruiter but the people on this thread that have had personal contact with him, speak highly of him - straight shooter.

 

Hey guys... home for the weekend now. Almost starting up to go baCK TO THE TRUCK... doing some last minute touch-ups to my pc since middle of week it crapped on me...

I updated a few more pictures, but haven't comented them, so feel free to look...

The interesting part is where we had the load of titanium. the smallest load we ever had to secure/tarp... about 2000lbs

Cheers

BND

PS Fred, i'm going to call you sometime.