OK, I am not in recruiting, nor am I 100% sure of every example, but I believe I am among the few who just signed on to TMC with experience.
Let me shed some light since, what I went through was 100% different than say Flatbed Fred, or some others have went through.
1. I started with 1 year OTR Flatbed experience, but with a concentration of freight, so I didnt get a vast majority, some lumber, some steel.
I was told 1 week classroom, 2 weeks OTR to "polish" up with various types of loads.
RULE #1
Do not believe 100% of what the recruiter will tell you. I was told that I would be leaving from Des Moines with a trainer....reality? 2 people actually left from Des Moines, the rest were sent home to meet with a trainer.
RULE#2
Make sure that your recruiter gives you an orientation checklist! My checklist was 6 days worth of clothing, and a sleeping bag. I got there with a rude awakening, I needed work boots, a road atlas,a voided check, etc.
OK, The road atlas I should have known better, Ill claim that one. Since I was never paid direct deposit, I had no idea what was needed, but was able to get the info. And the boots, again I had no real idea what the weeks schedule was, and really didnt know that they had a policy(Ido now)
Ok so after I got the kinks worked out, It was great!!! I ended up in a small class of approx 12 people with experience. Some had a few years experience flatbed, and left within 3 days in their own truck. Others of us, did 5 days classroom, and 2-4 weeks with a trainer. I have no idea what those of you with no OTR do, since they were in a different classroom.
We took our road test on Monday, and got that out of the way. mucho paperwork, physical,drug test, etc etc and 2 days of load securement catchup.
I recommend checking into TMC no matter what level of experience you have. I also admit I learned more about the company by speaking with Fred, and checking
www.flatbedfred.com than I did from my recruiter. However I have no ill feelings, since I no longer deal with that department now.
I dealt with Randy Groff....Randy is a very good person, and easy to get along with. If you screw off, or are late...he may just send you home, and for just reason. I remember reading a post a while back that someone felt they were very arrogant, etc. The person who wrote that, must have never dealt with a shipper or receiver yet...because Ill guarantee, if you cant put up with Randy or Austin, youll never make it a day in the field...FOR ANY COMPANY. These guys can come off as being a grump, but they do not mean harm, and may just be testing your waters to see how you act under pressure :wink:
I am now back home, and will leave out next week. I can say everyone was A+, very nice, professional, and my classmates were good all around people. I look forward to a good working relationship with the company. I came to Des Moines with a CAN DO attitude, and no the "every company is against me" attitude, that many have.