[Frogman]

Originally Posted by shaybe

My DH went to Columbia, SC last week to start training for TMC. He left on Friday because it was so bad down there. The trainer kept telling them not to run illegal then showed them how to cook the books. That just didn't seem right. Plus they will nickel and dime you for every little thing on the trucks. DH called his recruiter about all of this and wanted to come home for a couple of days and continue his training in Des Moines but I guess they don't actually care because no one will take his phone calls or reply to his emails about this. Plus the health insurance is not very good.

What does this mean: Plus they will nickel and dime you for every little thing on the trucks.

[Frogman]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Well I got done with my Orientation in Iowa and have been on the road for three weeks with my trainer. I have to tell you all that the securement and tarping is not nearly as bad as it was made out to be.
How ever I do see that with the HOS and TMC getting a little stricter with the logging procedures it will be harder to get five loads a week done. :roll: The big hurdle is either the 14 hour clock or the delays I have seen at the shippers which have been from 2 hours to 6 hours after a 2-3 hour bounce. :x This eats up the 14 hour clock and will start to eat up our earnings. It may end up being better to drop and hook a box van and actually drive 11 hours at XX cents per mile. :?
Does any one have any feelings about this or how to make it work better? Will the frieght prices go up due to the HOS restrictions. My trainer has had trouble recently getting 4 grand to the truck each week.

Personally, I was glad to see this thread move to the top. I don't know about anyone else but I'm here to make money . . . and to me, the key to doing that is finding a company where a lot of drivers are making good money.

(I understand that there are many factors involved in predicting how much anyone will earn, but my simple philosophy is that if a large number of people are earning good money then there's a better chance that I'll fit into the "average" and also do well.)

Anyway, I've found it hard to get driver earnings info on TMC. The recruiters won't commit. Fred's open about it . . . but he's got a special situation going.

I've only found two TMC drivers willing to share . . . and one is still training.

So thanks for bringing up the subject of money. Heck, I think there should be a section on CAD devoted exclusively to how many miles people drove each week and how much they earned to truck. That's what we newbies want to know.

Question . . . some were optimistic that "freight would pick up." So has it??

[richey94]

Anyway, I've found it hard to get driver earnings info on TMC. The recruiters won't commit. Fred's open about it . . . but he's got a special situation going.

I've only found two TMC drivers willing to share . . . and one is still training.

So thanks for bringing up the subject of money. Heck, I think there should be a section on CAD devoted exclusively to how many miles people drove each week and how much they earned to truck. That's what we newbies want to know.

Question . . . some were optimistic that "freight would pick up." So has it??

Jeff has been in his own truck since the 2nd week in Sept. His average gross during that time is $895 a week. He usually gets 4 loads a week. He runs legal and takes his 10 hrs but rarely takes the time to eat a sit down meal. He is at 28% Last week he drove 2185 loaded miles, 282 empty miles and grossed $3491.42 to the truck. He leaves Sunday afternoon and gets home late Friday evening. I don't think I can get any more detailed than that.

Most drivers in every company have said that this time of year is slow. Things pick up in Feb.

[Frogman]

Originally Posted by richey94

Jeff has been in his own truck since the 2nd week in Sept. His average gross during that time is $895 a week. He usually gets 4 loads a week. He runs legal and takes his 10 hrs but rarely takes the time to eat a sit down meal. He is at 28% Last week he drove 2185 loaded miles, 282 empty miles and grossed $3491.42 to the truck. He leaves Sunday afternoon and gets home late Friday evening. I don't think I can get any more detailed than that.

Most drivers in every company have said that this time of year is slow. Things pick up in Feb.

Now that's the kind of info I hoped to find on CAD. You (and by extension, Jeff) have been terrific posters. Many thanks from this grateful newbie!

[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by Frogman

Personally, I was glad to see this thread move to the top. I don't know about anyone else but I'm here to make money . . . and to me, the key to doing that is finding a company where a lot of drivers are making good money.

(I understand that there are many factors involved in predicting how much anyone will earn, but my simple philosophy is that if a large number of people are earning good money then there's a better chance that I'll fit into the "average" and also do well.)

Anyway, I've found it hard to get driver earnings info on TMC. The recruiters won't commit. Fred's open about it . . . but he's got a special situation going.

I've only found two TMC drivers willing to share . . . and one is still training.

So thanks for bringing up the subject of money. Heck, I think there should be a section on CAD devoted exclusively to how many miles people drove each week and how much they earned to truck. That's what we newbies want to know.

Question . . . some were optimistic that "freight would pick up." So has it??

TMC figures that the average pay for all drivers is $800.00. Some make more others make less. There are many strategies on maximizing your time and effort so you are making more money.

[GoldiesPlating]

Originally Posted by shaybe

My DH went to Columbia, SC last week to start training for TMC. He left on Friday because it was so bad down there. The trainer kept telling them not to run illegal then showed them how to cook the books. That just didn't seem right. Plus they will nickel and dime you for every little thing on the trucks. DH called his recruiter about all of this and wanted to come home for a couple of days and continue his training in Des Moines but I guess they don't actually care because no one will take his phone calls or reply to his emails about this. Plus the health insurance is not very good.

When people (myself included) complain about whining truckers, THIS is exactly what they are talking about. :evil: One person who's pi$$ed off and feels the need to exaggerate their misfortune to everyone else.
TMC answers ALL phone calls though the hold time can sometimes be VERY annoying. Their heath insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield and is EXCELLENT. Costs me $24.00/week and after visiting a doctor, a specialist, and a surgeon VERY recently for a serious intra-nasal infection, it cost me only the $15.00 copay. The insurance company paid out a lot of money for me. TMC has health, dental, life insurance and 401k plus numerous scholarship funds and grants for kids and a super FAF (family assistance fund) for those family who find themselves needing a little extra help at times in their lives.
My advice? Stop complaining and start working (either at TMC or elsewhere) get through your training no matter WHAT it takes, get your own truck, and run it how you see fit. THIS will make EVERYone happy. You, your husband and all those involved.
As far as not getting anywhere by calling or writing TMC. ... You can ALWAYS call or write me. You've seen my posts and must be aware of my willingness to help fellow drivers yet my email has nothing from you in there?

[jnk2001]

My advice? Stop complaining and start working (either at TMC or elsewhere) get through your training no matter WHAT it takes, get your own truck, and run it how you see fit. THIS will make EVERYone happy

NOW, there's a company man.... :lol: :lol:

[AsphaltBound]

Originally Posted by shaybe

Plus they will nickel and dime you for every little thing on the trucks.

And just how do they nickle and dime you TMC drivers.
Just how much does this N&D stuff add up to?

[potenza]

An example of the nickle and diming is they req a $100 deposit & $2.50 a week for prepass. I have the book in front of me for TMC's Blue Cross plan if you go in network to the hospital it's a 500 deductible + you pay 20 % of the bill.

[greg3564]

Originally Posted by potenza

An example of the nickle and diming is they req a $100 deposit & $2.50 a week for prepass. I have the book in front of me for TMC's Blue Cross plan if you go in network to the hospital it's a 500 deductible + you pay 20 % of the bill.

Seems odd they would charge the driver for PrePass. I wonder why they do that?

As for the health insurance, most companies nationwide are passing the cost of insurance on to employees. It has just become prohibitively expensive for employers to pay top dollar for health coverage for employees.