[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by JBenson2

Thanks for the nice comments.

I've got some great photos from this past week. We were stranded in Albuquerque for 24 hours due to the ice and snowstorm. I-40 West and East were shut down.

When the roads opened up again, I caught some amazing wrecks. There was a jack-knifed truck that was bent around so much, the driver could almost read the writing on the back doors of his drybox from his cab!

I, too, find your post very interesting. I am only a little behind you. You are having the experiences I will be in the weeks to come. You and several other posters are doing a tremendous job, essentially make life better for me. Keep up the good work.

[TMCTrainer9224]

Well terry, the best advice I can give you is to pay close attention. You are about to embark on an adventure. You will have so many different scenarios thrown at you in the next 6 weeks it will be hard to keep track. I have a few suggestions for you though, Take a camera with you during training. Take pictures of every load the securement and tarp job, also take notes of things that you didnt understand and things you feel will be hard to remeber. This way you will have a written as well as a visual guidebook when you get into your own truck and come across the same things. If you dont own a pair of insulated coveralls I suggest you get some, it gets mighty cold out there sometimes. And lastly keep an open mind, remeber your trainer has more than likely been out there for a reasonable amount of time he should know the ropes and is only trying to pass the torch to you. Good luck to you and I hope to see you out there. Remeber truck 9224, I will always be willing to help no matter what. If you want my # pm and I will be a phone call away.

[dollarshort]

After reading some of the post regarding Fred I felt compelled to reply also.

In the past Fred and I had some heated discussions here on CAD. I will tell you this....I think very highly of Fred and feel he is a man of great integrity.

Before we got to know each other neither of us really knew of the others personal situations. After communicating with him he fully understood where I was coming from, and the same for me. I also want to thank him for posting my letter to him on Flatbedfred.com

Fred is a unique individual. As I have said before I have never met another person with the level of positive attitude he has. He enjoys what he does with a passion I have never come across before. He is truly an asset to any company he works for, and TMC can be glad that he is on their team.

He invests alot of his time keeping his website up to date and answering questions from potential recruits. I for one feel he should get compensated something for his efforts. I just wish I had the expertise to put together a website like that.

So regardless of what others may think.....If you want straight answers give Fred a call. You wont regret it.

One of these days I hope to get to meet Fred in person. Until then I keep my fingers crossed until are paths meet.

Happy Holidays to all!

[Born and RaiZed]

Well! Im making the switch to TMC this week. Ive had just about enough with SMX!



Im not writing this to bash on SMX.

I will say that SMX is a GREAT company to start for, I just want more out of it and want to drive a nice truck..

I am all approved at TMC and am at the end of my 2 week notice at SMX.
I am leaving on good terms! (very rarely will I burn a bridge).. :wink:

Just lettin everyone know! LOL It took a lot of research and talking to other drivers (in Person) and Ive heard enough! Im sold!

TMC here I come!

[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by Born and RaiZed

Well! Im making the switch to TMC this week. Ive had just about enough with SMX!



Im not writing this to bash on SMX.

I will say that SMX is a GREAT company to start for, I just want more out of it and want to drive a nice truck..

I am all approved at TMC and am at the end of my 2 week notice at SMX.
I am leaving on good terms! (very rarely will I burn a bridge).. :wink:

Just lettin everyone know! LOL It took a lot of research and talking to other drivers (in Person) and Ive heard enough! Im sold!

TMC here I come!

Welcome onboard. I have one more week of orientation, my hire date is Jan 5th.

[Born and RaiZed]

Thanks man!

The only thing Im worried about is , I've never driven a 13 speed, only a straight 10 and a super 10.

does anyone know a site or something that can give me the shift pattern for the 13 spds TMC uses so I can practice in my head ya know...

TIA!

[terrylamar]

Originally Posted by Born and RaiZed

Thanks man!

The only thing Im worried about is , I've never driven a 13 speed, only a straight 10 and a super 10.

does anyone know a site or something that can give me the shift pattern for the 13 spds TMC uses so I can practice in my head ya know...

TIA!

It is like a 9 speed, only there is a splitter in the high range. Low makes the 13th gear.

[Born and RaiZed]

I still dont understand. I need a picture or something LOL..

What Im getting at is Im gonna have to take a road test.

Am I gonna have trouble if I am not familier w/ the 13?

I really really dont want to and cant (financially) go out w/ a trainer for 3 weeks just to learn the 13. Thats the ONLY thing I am worried about.

[BoyNextDoor]

It's just like this...

1-2-3-4 than switch up front to high side (like the super 10) and here the fun starts...

you have an extrea Hi-Lo switch on the side of the shifter...

so 1-2-3-4 than 5Lo than 5Hi (here inbetween you switch, and let off the fuel/acceerator and the tranny shifts itself.) than 6Lo (here you have to "double clutch") than switch to 6Hi and so forth...

so 1-2-3-4 flip up, 5Lo switch 5Hi, switch back to Lo and clutch to 6Lo, than switch to 6Hi, switch to Lo and clutch to 7Lo, switch to 7Hi, than switch to Lo and clutch to 8Lo, switch to 8Hi, and you're done.

For downshifting it goes the same exact way, except the other way (8Hi to 8Lo, clutch to 7Hi switch to 7Lo and so foth) except on the switches, you have to slightly tap the fuel/accelerator for the ECU to downshift...

I know it sounds complicated, but it's half as bad as it sounds...

Check out the pics in my sig, and you'll see a couple of simulators, that's where you'll learn...

Cheers

BND

[terrylamar]

Yeah, that's what I said. 8)