Just one more side note. If someone posts something that you think I would want to delete, please do not quote it in a follow-up post as I try to delete anything that is like what was just posted. That would make less work for me.


Thanks again,

Ridge

 

The problem with running out west is that everyone wants to run out west, but a lot of the freigt also goes to and from the east coast. I am not saying that you will always run where you want, but you can voice your requests to your FM. I personally don't care where I run as long as the money is good. I usually end up running west out of the house and end up in Indiana or so, from there I head west or south, make a big circle and come back through the east coast on my way home. There was only one week where I couldn't get away from the I95 corridor between Boston and Richmond, but I got paid well that week, so it all evens out in my book.

TMC does not micromanage me. I mean my Fleet Manager did check in with me daily my first month or so, but I was a rookie and needed it. In the last month I think I talked to my FM on the phone about fifteen minutes per week. I get a load and get on down the road without asking questions.

 

I told my FM I wanted to run West. Sometimes I get to other times I don't. Rawlco, how much further East can you go from the house.

 

Life is confusing. :lol: You will always find people who have an axe to grind, and some people may have a very real reason for being angry with any company, TMC included.

All you can do is see that many of us are happy with TMC, and a few are unhappy. You can read through this thread and know what to expect. A few of Jakob30's gripes were somewhat real, as in the out of route thing plays a part of each trip plan and occupies about 5 minutes of my thoughts per trip, but I don't obsess about it. If I want to take a better road I do as long as it is a truck legal route. If you are going to get bent out of shape about such a minor issue then truck driving isn't for you.

 

I never have tried to hide how long I have been with TMC or in the trucking industry. I know a lot and still have a lot to learn. I did and still continue to educate myself on CAD. Any job is what you make of it. I'm not a complainer. Just my opinion, but I see to be doing well at TMC. My experience there has been pretty much what I read about Fred's and others eperiences. If you are willing to work hard you will do well. Anytime there is a problem or I have a question everyone is will to work with you. If I can't do something for whatever reason, my FM accepts my reasons without question and works around them. If you think your job is a better job, by all means stick with it. I think TMC is the best in my very limited experience. I don't need to be, nor want to be home every night. I mostly post positive things online. I have mostly positive things to say about TMC. While I don't have a lot of experience in the trucking industry, I do have a lot of experience. I'm 50. I was in the military for 18 years, entered as enlisted and resigned as a Captain. I have been all over the world, have a college degree and had my own business for 12 years. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. Take my opinion for what you will.

 

About 100 miles as the crow flies over the woods due east to the Canadian border. 162 miles by road southeast to Eastport, which is as far east as you can go in the United States.

 

Thanks Ridge. And sorry for lumping you, Zipy, in with that "other" guy. I'm glad you enjoy reading our TMC thread.
Talk to you all later,
Fred

 

Zipy,

Welcome to the group! As I stated in my original reply to you, this profession is what you make of it. Although I have experience at other companies, I have been looking very heavily lately for a fleet to make a home.

Having analyze and scrutinize many companies over the last couple of months, I settled on applying for TMC. They have put their hometime policies in writing, there pay schedules are above average (not the highest, but above average) - pay is greatly influenced by your work ethic, motivation and desire to succeed (maybe those are all the same, hmm). They offer both mileage and percentage, the choice is yours. They have several fleet options, that coincide with hometime options. As you said, I have spoken with many TMC drivers on the road, and probably 95% are happy with the program they are on. You cannot beat the equipment, top notch and well maintained (tractors and trailers). The Safe-stat record leaves a little to be desired, but I believe they have greatly turned that around.

As a fleet that trains allot of new drivers, you will constantly have those that will never be happy, no matter what fleet they are at, for many of those, holding a steering wheel was a last ditch effort before flippin' burgers at the local choke and puke.

I did some training with another fleet that I hauled for at their yard. We could pretty much pick the ones that had the desire to succeed, and the ones that were there just because someone said they could be a truck driver and get free training.

With some prayer and luck, my application should be approved in the next couple of days, and will be on the way to DM within a week or so.

Good Luck with your decision,

Louis

 

Hey Terry,

Did you ever make it home this last week?

Give me a ring when you are home or in my area?

Louis

 

I did, just tied up. I will be passing thru your was, but very early on Tue. I'm on my way to Laredo with one stop. I will be coming back thru during the day, Tue or Wed.