If you like the road and the money, longhaul is your best bet. The guys that I have trained are doing well with longhaul; they, like you, have no reason to get home every weekend. As stated by others, there is dedicated out of Norwood and Westfield. Tho TMC says six months, they will be happy to take you i a dedicated run earlier...if they need you. I would love to take a pup along but that is verboten.

 

The no dogs issue has been my only gripe with TMC, thus far. I sure miss not having that riding partner.

 

Im in Des M for 2 weeks of school before 6 weeks with a trainer.I just got my CDL from a school that TMC sent me to.So far the place here is nice and TONS of TMC guys around shooting the Shi#.The stories I am being told have me worried big time.They have bounced guys for the simple stuff in the last couple weeks and it seems like they want to bounce people.I dont get into class till monday but im in the baymont inn as I type.If any of you big dogs are gonna be here for a 34 hour or training I could use an ear to chew to see if what they are tellin me is true.Im not sure the skill I have behind the wheel is inline with what they are lookin for.I did a 120 hour class with 5 others in the truck at the same time so I did not get much windshield time.On the CDL test I got 7 in the backing 105 on the pretrip and 2 on the road test,It was the best score of the group but I still grind gears and I only got to run a beat down freight shaker with a 10 speed.Now they are gonna give me a 13 to do a road test in and my CDL road test was longer than all the windshield time I got at school.Im just not sure I can make it.

 

Hang in there, and take what you hear by the front door with a grain of salt. I heard the same BS while I was there, and things are different once on the road. Many of those guys are in DM for a reason, they are not doing something right. Usually the guys that are doing good and have no issues are not hanging out at the front door. Some guys get their rocks off by scaring the new recruits.

You will get plenty of time with the trucks during your two weeks, and if you apply yourself and pay attention, everything will be just fine. And like any company, we have a majority of good trainers, and we have a few dead beats. While with your trainer, ask questions if you have them, the only stupid question is the one that you don't ask, and gets you in trouble later. They will teach you the 13, it is not that difficult.

Oh, the reference to a bounce in the Flatbed world, is from your delivery at the consignee to the next shipper. You may be mistaking what they are saying. Just a thought.

Good Luck, and if you have any specific questions, shoot them out hear. We have some good guys on the list. I personally head out tommorow for Florida, but check in after I shut down for the night.

 

For me bounce means sent home.

 

Hmmm...seek not the advice of the ding-a-lings out front. You have an assortment of 2nd week newbies that think they know something, veteran drivers who get their kicks out of torturing the new guys, and complete idiots of all persuasions.
Here are the reasons people get tossed out of orientation:
1. They pee hot.
2. They fail the DOT physical.
3. They lie on their work history.
4. They walk on the grass. It's Harold's passion and he owns it, so what.
5. They act like idiots in class. I mean real idiots.
6. They show up late a few times.

As far as your driving skills and experience...you are new, driving a truck is difficult; if they wanted only experienced drivers they wouldn't have given you the opportunity. Go out in the yard, show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, and be humble. The trainers will see this and all will be excellent.

They understand that 99.9% of the schools have beat up Freightshakers and 10 speeds. Did you train at Lehigh in Allentown? Shifting a 13 speed is only difficult at first.

Oh yes, some of the trainers and teachers are full of themselves and a pain in the arse. Laugh at it.

 

Hmmm...seek not the advice of the ding-a-lings out front. You have an assortment of 2nd week newbies that think they know something, veteran drivers who get their kicks out of torturing the new guys, and complete idiots of all persuasions.
Here are the reasons people get tossed out of orientation:
1. They pee hot.
2. They fail the DOT physical.
3. They lie on their work history.
4. They walk on the grass. It's Harold's passion and he owns it, so what.
5. They act like idiots in class. I mean real idiots.
6. They show up late a few times.

As far as your driving skills and experience...you are new, driving a truck is difficult; if they wanted only experienced drivers they wouldn't have given you the opportunity. Go out in the yard, show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, and be humble. The trainers will see this and all will be excellent.

They understand that 99.9% of the schools have beat up Freightshakers and 10 speeds. Did you train at Lehigh in Allentown? Shifting a 13 speed is only difficult at first.

Oh yes, some of the trainers and teachers are full of themselves and a pain in the arse. Laugh at it.

 

Well, I hope you learn a the new definition, since you will hear it allot with TMC.

Bounce is from your last delivery to your new pickup! Von said it very well, in respect to hanging out in DM. Do your best and put your best attitude forward. Your skills will improve and will do fine!

 

Well I stoped a couple "trainers" as they were on the way in and talked to them.They did have trainees with them so they were trainers.The problem I have is it seems like they are looking for a reason to send people walking.When I filled out the first app I had my resume and all was correct.Now I did not know about a second app and dont have the resume with me and I was told that the 2 apps have to match or you are out.I did not lie to them and I am sure they check that stuff before they let me come here.
I just dont have the resume and I cant remember back that far to keep it all straight.A simple type-o or me just not able to remember the dates of past jobs should not get me thrown out.TMC= The Marine Corp that is not a joke its true.I sit here wondering why I came in the first place.Yes they have great equipment and the % pay is sweet but there seems to be a boat load of BS floating around DM and Im knee deep in it.There was 6 people that were with me at CDL school 2 went to CRST 2 went to US Express and 2 to TMC.I am here with the other guy and a friend of mine who went to a diffrent school will be here tonite.So far both of us have been looking up info on other companys cause every one here tells the same story.Yes it could be BS but 20+ guys at different times some alone some in groups have the same story.With 50 in a class 10 MAY get past the 2 weeks.Why preapprove people send them to school then get them here and send them home?It seems strange to me.So with the odds aginst me I need a backup plan.I dont drink do drugs no DUI or DWI at all Im 30+ years old and last traffic ticket was 9 years ago for 7mph over the limit.I did not lie on the app I went to school and it seems I did get a good score on the CDL road test with 100% on the PTI and only 2 points on the road test.I know gear grinding was one of the points for sure.But here I sit just waiting to get thrown out and on paper I look like a good trainee.It bugs me that they put me in the situation in the first place.Yes I know they want to see if I can follow rules and be on time and I have no problem with that at all.I have issue with things like filling out a 2nd app and then them comparing them.If I would have known I would have made sure I had a copy of my resume so it would match.For me Im just waiting for them to send me home and at this point the sooner the better.The guys here cant all be liars there are too many telling me the same stuff and alot are here to pick up or drop off trainees.This sucks,I wanted to work for TMC and roll around in the big black and chrome monster.Im gonna end up with swift this sucks.

 

If you don't like it mr.grim, give Maverick a call. If you get sent home, give Maverick a call.

My point is, TMC is not the only company out there for newbies besides Swift, your options are still open. If you want to do flatbed, Melton and Maverick are as good as TMC. If you just want to drive a truck, a lot of decent companies are out there that pay nice.