And a big copany like TMC that respect them self with the nicest trucks in the industry... keep it clean and all the good stuff i love that but when my Fm tell me that the software and the computers are old and there is nothing he can do about it i dont belive that , and if they want to talk about safety and all, why dont they give the driver the peace of mind and give him the right route from the begaining, and thats not just involve in stearing like fred say....lots of dumb butts out there.. its just the point of the OOR and they arleady know that you will do more than they give you ...they route u nthe shourtes miles and give you the longest route.....thats not fair they should say before they do that and not blaim in on the computer right... computer doesnt oppetate without our fingers on it.... by the way guys i got my hand on the DOT software that they odiut us with so this is not from my imagnation or an error on my laptop

 

I was interested in TMC...but from scanning some of these post it would appear that they are 'micromanaged' like alot of companies.
Is this correct would you say?

Trucking is about driving and the feeling of not having someone
breathing down your neck all the time.

 

Sounds like someone needs a map reading and routing course! When I went to school, there was about 8 hours worth of map reading and routing, for those of us that could read maps. Those that could not get it, spent another 8 hours until they could safely route themselves.

Most fleets, except a few mega-fleets will allow their drivers room to route themselves. Those that do not, do it because of dedicated fuel stops where they get the best discounts. Haz-Mat and oversize routing is a whole different ballgame.

Although I am not yet running for TMC, I have to agree with Terry, Goldie, Rawlco and the others. Qualcomm routing is set-up to use major roads (i.e. Interstates, Federal (U.S.) and major state roads for routing. Qualcomm systems only see the secondary roads as final destination approach roads. Even then, the Qualcomm routing can get you in trouble.

Get the large print Truckers Atlas, which shows all the STAA approved roadways, a list of restricted and low clearance roads, and wieght tolerances for each state. IF you are not use to routing, it may take a few minutes longer to trace it out and check for restrictions, but as time goes on it becomes second nature. I also keep a note card file with directions and notes on shippers and recievers, and keep it handy. When dispatch to a shipper or reciever that I have been to before, I pull the card and check my route and notes.(keep information such as route, parking yes/no, CB check-in channel, hours of operation, will they recieve or load early, etc.) If I have not been to the location before, and the directions on the Qualcomm (they final few miles) are vague, call the location a day or two early and get a dispatcher or facility manager on the phone that has knowledge of trucks routes into the area. Write these down on your note cards and keep it on the dash. You would not believe how many times I have heard a help call on the radio trying to find a location, because a driver did not know where they were going. And then hear that they missed the appointment and have to wait a day or tow to get unloaded.

Route yourself - so what if you have to slow down in a few little towns, or catch a slow mover ever now and again, there is so much to see in this country, that if you stick to the interstates, you will be missing one of the greatest benefits of being a Truck Driver. And that is seeing the country in a way that no one else can.

Based on posts from the others, TMC does not have a strict policy to follow the Qualcomm Route. For the current drivers, If such a policy exists, please let me know - since I refuse to work for a fleet that does not allow flexibility in non-Hazmat routing.

Be Prepared, as only you can prepare yourself for the trip. Relying blindly on a computer without checking it first, well, you could end up on a back-road into Mexico and not even know it.

As for toll roads, I try to avoid most! Some you cannot, and some just make good trucking sense. Keep an envelope handy just for tolls, when you take cash out, put the receipt in. Before you turn your trip-pak in, pull your receipts and submit them for reimbursement. Or, if you know you will be on an unavoidable toll-road, and you are bad at money management, send in a request by qual-comm for the money - keep your receipts and turn them in for reimbursement. Enough said on that!

Truck up Driver - it is all part of the job - whether you are running for TMC or another fleet. You have to make the decision if you want to be a Professional Truck Driver or a glorified steering wheel jockey.

Catch ya later,
Louis

 

Seems like Jakob30 and Zipy46 are two BRAND NEW screen names. Methinks they are old disgruntled posters reincarnating themselves to sling $hit about TMC. Give it a break guys lest I get your IP banned. :roll:

 

Not true but if that's how you feel, perhaps we'd be better off without you.

 

Zipy46,

Truckin' is mostly what you make of it! Most if not all fleets have some aspects of control they choose to exert on their drivers, even O/O leased on have restrictions. But a good majority of the fleets allow the drivers some room to individualize trip planning and such. They tell you pick-up at this time, and deliver at this time, how you get there is up to you, within economic restraints. Meaning, If you are going from LA to Miami, DON't go through Chicago first, even if you have the time (of course this is extreme, but I know a driver that did this and ended up having to pay for the extra fuel).

From what I understand about TMC, they are no different! They allow the flexibility for your own routing, fuel stops and such. The big 3, tell you how when and where. IF a driver show responsibility, dependability and common-sense, then there should be no problem keeping that freedom. On the other hand, if the driver is a dip-stick, they will enforce restraints, and eventually the driver will get-it, move-on, or worst case be fired.

If you want to know the facts, PM Goldie, TerryLamar, Rawlco or TMC (sorry, I know there are a couple of other senior drivers on this list, but not sure who's who) with your directed questions. Those guys will give you a straight and honest answer from what I have found.

Later,

Louis

 

Not to mention Jakob, there is NO WAY you could be a TMC driver with the TERRIBLE spelling in your posts. Have you even completed GRADE SCHOOL??? You never would have passed the classroom tests at TMC let alone be allowed to drive one of our trucks. Find something else to do with your free time.

 

Maybe he has a dyslexic keyboard! :P :idea:

 

Or...couls be thi kieboard grenlims mivung hos kios aroufd

 

Or...couls be thi kieboard grenlims mivung hos kios aroufd[/quote]


:nervous: :rock: