Hey Von, how soon can a rookie get on a dedicated account that gets you home every day and off weekends because i was going through the archives and found out that flatbed fred got into a dedicated some time around october/november 06 perhaps??? But he started in April of 06...I was thinking that thats pretty quick to go local. Does tmc even offer dedicated in chicago?

 

TMC usually requires 6 months experience with them before they'll consider you for dedicated.

 

Sup fred, thanks for clarifying that. I was looking in the archives and noticed you were saying you were dedicated in oct/nov even though you started in april. So whats up with dedicated in chicago or vicinity as of right now?

 

Segafan, have you gone over and talked to the manager at Wal-Mart in Central Park?? I know they have signs that read No Semi Parking but if you ask, they may allow you to park around back. Or go down to the one off of Rt. 3 South in Stafford, the Ferry Farm Wal-Mart and ask. I'll keep an eye out for anymore possible spots for ya on my daily runs around the metropolis of Fredericksburg.

 

New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

 

No idea on Chicago. You will need to contact TMC direct on that one

 

I'm jumping the gun here considering I haven't been to orientation but does TMC have dedicated routes in VA? I keep craning my head around looking for TMC on 95 but I haven't seen too many. There are a bunch of truck stops between Richmond and Fredericksburg that I will visit tomorrow when I go to pick up my Motor Carrier Atlast so maybe I'll see one down that way. I guess I want to go "regional" but after reading all the posts on this thread it seems like it might be less stressful and more profitable to go long haul because you aren't always struggling to find some way to get home and make money. When I add in paying for truck parking somewhere near my house it makes even more sense. Any thoughts?

 

Sega, they run out on 29 all the time usually out of Lynchburg where they had a dedicated gig about 6 months ago. Seems they have a gig pulling the "black gold" steel pipes because that's all I see them hauling on 29 except for the occassional lumber load. I see alot of TMC trucks on 17 and 3. Dunno know if they still run that way but they were running down towards Montross to get loads. Run with a number of them on 95 everyday. No worries on if TMC is in the area or not, trust me they are there, they just do a good job of blending in. Go sit at the new Target being built up on 17. You will see at least 10 go by before lunchtime either on 95 or 17 or even dropping in to get a truck wash at the Blue "Streakin" Beacon.

 

What exactly can you have in a truck with TMC? I'd like to bring a set of dumbbells with me on the road and my guitar. Do they have a fridge in the truck or do you hook up one of those cigarette lighter coolers? I don't want to eat a bunch of fast food junk all the time. The recruiter that came by the school said there was no microwaves but I think she said something about a fridge.

I hope I can pass my road test at the orientation because its been about a month now since I passed my CDL test and I haven't been in a truck since. I know I'm going to grind some gears until I get used to how the truck downshifts and get the general feel but I'm confident I can handle it all if given a little " " not sure the right word. I picked up the backing manuevers pretty good in the yard we just didn't get to practice anything besides curve and straight backing because that's all we needed to get the CDL. I did a little bit of parallel parking and I got that down almost right away. Its interesting how you can still have that "sixth sense" of where the truck is just like a car. This was a fairly short trailer though. I'm getting a little nervous.

 

Dumbells, guitar, 12 volt fridge yes. Microwave not sure, definately not a 110 as they don't allow inverters.

If TMC wanted perfect drivers they wouldn't hire newbies like us. Show a great attitude, do your best, and you should do fine. You can't be the village idiot of driving but just be proactive.