This was obvious, at least to me. As was that you have no experience as a driver. I am not saying that in any negative way. Will you say what department? I see you as a valuable resource. I think once you have been around awhile you will see this forum as a valuable resource. Most here just portray TMC in a positive light and let the chips fall where they may. There is no hardcore recruiting going on.

That is all anyone can ask. One suggestion, if you can't answer something, just say so, don't leave it hanging.

And you shouldn't, let use knuckle draggers take on the heretics.

Hey Jerod,what is the hometime in the new southern region.I live about 60 miles northwest of Austin Texas.Currently drive for Maverick,been there for about a year.Just asking.

Lampasses, or close by? Maybe we can meet up sometime, I'll have to wash my hands later and maybe get shots, but I'd meet a Maverick driver. :D

If you live west of I-35 you'll be on longhaul driving all 48 out 14 days at a time. East of I-35 is called linehaul, home on weekends 46 out of 52. East of I-35 inTX goes on SE regional until further notice.

Terry I will meet you Monday in DSM, stop in and say hi.

I had planned too, I just didn't want to scare you. 8)

Say hi to Rebecca for me.

Terry,I live in Kingsland.Maybe we can meet up sometime and I will bring the hand sanitizer for the both of us.

I have to say the Perv that runs the simulators was about the best guy there in my opinion.Answered questions no problem and worked the backing lot at nite like a champ.He is about the only one that did not have the tude that every one seems to have there.

I did not care for the food myself and I think I used the free lunch card once.Some guys love it some dont what ever works.I kinda feel cheated by being sent to SC to test out and get a truck.


I have to also say that the training co I had was another sore spot.He never talked down to me but he did treat me like a fool more than once.When I asked if they had the number of trucks needed for all the guys going to SC his answer was I needed to calm down?What calm down why? I am going to be far from home a few days before a holiday and I want to know you have a plan and are on top of things whats wrong with that?



Of the loads I had during the 6 weeks hands down wire mesh was the worst by far.Its like hauling jello.When you strap it down you gotta crank down a little on each side so the load wont lean to one side.I pokes holes in the straps no matter how I run them and I did run them away from the points.It also moves side to side alot as you drive.Plastic pipe was a common load and easy to strap but the job sites could be fun.I also had one load of steel fence posts for the border fence they were not bad and the guy who unloads you looks 100% like Hulk Hogan no joke.

Most of the shippers were cool for the most part very few problems over the 6 weeks.A few places like Tamco were a problem due to getting the load late in the day and missing the loading time for the day and being forced to camp out till the next morn to get loaded.

All in all I think I got Lucky.I had a bad trainer for one week and a great one for 5 weeks.Alot of my classmates had very bad trainers for all 6 weeks some even quit due to it.The trainer you get is the single most important thing in the training.He will set the tone for the 6 weeks.I had alot of fun as well as my share of troubles but all in all I got very Lucky.

mrgrim, dunno know if it is possible for you to do it but when I pick up the flat wire mesh(only 2 bundles,) I use chains and 1 strap in the center. Again, your chains prolly aren't long enough to do that. When I ran my first load, I used straps only and centered my straps in the center of a line of squares, never poked a hole. A 4 inch strap should only catch the edge on the points. :D

Ohh I remember those wire mesh loads!!! Look at the top of the load. I cranked down so hard it has waves lol :twisted: .

http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbe...reMeshRear.jpg
http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbe...eMeshRear1.jpg
http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbe...tRightPete.jpg
http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbe...hFrontLeft.jpg
http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbe...yWireClose.jpg

With the mesh it was a 13 6 load that hung off the front and rear of the trailer.I threw 4 inch straps like you said between the points on the squares but they ended up on the points on top.I could not get up there to make sure they were between the points but when it came time to unload I found the straps stuck to the load.The bad part is that my trainer is an O/O and one of the straps was to bad to use once I pulled it off the load.

The trailer axles we had on were fun as well.It was a frame section with 2 axles fully dresses for great dane trailers.They were banded 3 high with wood blocks between each.And it was a full load.The best part was great dane did
not have a fork lift large enuf to unload them.They had to use 2 lifts and then drive the truck out from under the load.