that's what I figured, I have a good idea what I'm getting into. nothing a pair of good boots and coveralls can't handle. I've pulled a lowboy recreationally, not as a job, those chains can get heavy so I'll probably spend some time with some weights before I decide to start training. it is implied that the extra work of load securement is worth it due to the pay. what is the earnings potential for a rookie? I read of 60K on their website, not sure I believe that. 50K would be real nice.

as a rookie what chance do I have of getting into a 379? I've seen a few T600s and quite a few more 387s. not a big fan of the 387.

hey I remember talking to you a while back. haven't heard that about too many trucks/companies.

how do the 389s run? damn that is a beautiful truck.

What part of Western PA, off I80 are you. I too, am off 80 in western pa.

I never had a problem getting home on the weekends, but it must be some "unspoken" rule, that they wont run you through the house during the week. I had 2 different FM's on linehaul, both were great, but neither ever worked me through the house. I guess there are too many guys that would ruin the week doing so, so youll most likely just make a big loop during the week.

Also, 9 chances outa 10, your gonna get a short nose 379, since a majority of the trucks are 379's. They are trying to faze the 387's and t800's out, and the 379exhd, or long nose trucks are not in circulation like the others. They have quite a list for those.

It would be safe to say, you are prob not gonna see 60k or even 50k anytime soon from them. Load rates are way too low right now, which means youll need better $$ in the summer to do so. Dedicated or Longhaul, may be different, but your chances of grossing $1,000 a week, CONSISTANTLY, is slim.

There are a few dedicateds out of PA. Alcoa out of lancaster PA, which is what I ran. It got me home some during the week, every weekend, and a majority of the runs go to Michigan, Ohio, or KY. With some Southeast, and minor Chicago's. There is also a Closetmaid account out of Belle Vernon, ie South of Pittsburgh. But im not sure much about it.

Everyone thinks flatbedding is life or death, its not. Youll be using your straps much more than your chains, and most guys rarely have to use Lumber tarps. Oh, and you wont load local, unless you go home empty, since they always like to have a load on you.

They have a good training program, but I didnt go through it myself, so some others should be able to help you there.

There are a heck of alot more places that have grass a lot browner than TMC, but dont think that its a putting green on the 9th hole there either. A lot is changing in TMC, a lot of change in upper management, hopefully for the best. I have a lot of friends still there, and dont want to see them without work.

Perhaps this is the cause of the "unspoken" rule.

A couple of years ago there was a TMC driver that lived right off I80 in PA. As he ran through there a lot, he was able to get through the house a lot. In being able to do that he of course wanted to spend time with his family and was able to stop by the house. Families need time and this guy ended up spending time with the family instead of getting sleep. After a visit one night, he fell asleep at the wheel going 65 mph on I80 and slammed into a parked truck or construction vehicle. Never touched the brakes. He didn't make it. The pictures from the accident are so bad they never show them at orientation or driver safety meetings. I saw them on the wall in the safety office in Indy. Very nasty and VERY sad.

exit 24. if you ever saw big white Internationals marked "MTI" that was my company.

actually the place is still there, I think TMC should turn it into a terminal :D

thanks for the info guys.

was he by chance hauling sheet steel or something like that? I remember a bad accident a couple years ago near the I79 interchange that sounded something like that. RIP.

when I get sleepy I pull over.

I really LOVED my truck. We were a team and went through thick and thin together. Every truck has it's own little quirks and personality. My 379 and I got along and "understood" eachother. It never let me down and was my home away from home for 5 days a week. It was hard saying goodbye. Sounds weird but when I left TMC, parking it for the last time was like leaving your home, your car, your office and your sanctuary all at once.

if i remember correctly, his name was Ziegler or something similar, but German name for sure. and he was hauling steel I-beams, as long as the trailer... he hit the truck, and most of his load ended up on the trailer in front of him... thru him as well... RIP... he was actually too tired, b/c he went thru the house 3 times that week, and had only one night of good sleep in 3 days... spent his time with family as Von mentioned... I also saw those pictures in indy, and boy... the gore and blood all over... i talked to josh about it, and he sad he was on the scene, and he won't forget the smell all his life...

RIP, may God be with him.

anyways, that video/pics in indy made sure that i always pull obver whenever i'm tired. mo load/appointment/job/boss/money is worth getting killed over...

cheers

BND

Totally agree with you... I can't count the times that I have been soooooooo close to the house that I really wanted to be with my wife but something kicked in and told me to just wait until the weekend then I can spend time at home.

When you go in the safety office in Indy the guys orientation photo is hanging just above the accident photos. The impact was so hard that the steel sheared the cab of the truck completely in half. Josh will tell you a little about it but that one really got him. Over my time in the Army in combat zones I have seen blood but nothing like that ever. It was really bad


I guess I was fortunate that I made 50k my first year and 60k this last year. See instead of going home every weekend I run 2 weeks out at a time. I am a line haul driver but I choose to do this. And for trucks the KW's and all of the 387's were supposed to be taken back up at the first part of January but because of all the new hires coming in veteran drivers are being pulled out of our trucks and given newer trucks, b/c a new hire was put into a brand new 388 and in less than a week rolled the truck. A team member of mine was called to DSM and was told to report to the shop to get his new truck they already had his name, SS Decals etc already on the truck and he had to beg our FM to let him stay in his truck. I already told them that until they get mine on the sales lot I won't be turning it in. Just so ya'll know I have a 2005 PB 387 with the 150's and as of yesterday I have 379107 miles on her on her. That is my second love sitting out there in the parking lot.

No, it wasn't steel at all. It was lumber. I will never forget the pictures. Check then out in Indy if you go there. Next time you are pushing yourself...thinking about those pictures will have you pulling the truck over for your 10.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
 

ANOTHER TMC CHEERLEADER GONE BY THE WAYSIDE!

The best thing is you guys have the best excuses why you are leaving the GREAT TMC.