TMC
 

i figured that someone should start a new thread to get POSITIVE info out about the company. :mrgreen:

yeah what was that last thread? 40 or so pages lol. could always use more info. 8)

I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE GAME FOR A LITTLE WHILE. LOOKS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN KEEPING YOURSELF BUSY SINCE I'VE BEEN GONE.

Yeah... To say the least... hehehehehe

Ok, quick question. I have ZERO flatbed experience. If I got to TMC will I have to go with a driver trainer or will the show me how to tarp and strap their in orientation then assign me a truck? Just curious.

Fireman,

Depending on your OTR experience you will be classified as a trainee A or B. The Trainee A goes out with a driver trainer for six weeks, while the trainee B will go out for just three weeks. You will get familiar with the equipment, including how to use our spread axle trailers. Tiedown and tarping class just gets you familiar how we secure the load.

So, even though I have been driving a truck for 8 yrs I will still have to go out with a trainer. I was a driver trainer for Werner for 2 yrs. I don't mind doing the flatbed securment class just not to thrilled about the going out with a trainer thing. But I have to do what I have to do.

PM Jfloyd or TMC for more info... I just know that was one of the guys that was in my class ended up having to do

That was a concern of mine as well....looking to re-apply soon...was passed over the first time for whatever reason i still dont understand but am still interested......Just dont like having a trainer...but i guess with flatbedding it is a wise thing to do.

if you dont have any flatbed experience then the training will help out greatly. if you do linehaul and get a trainer in your area then you will get an idea of the type of freight that you will spend most of your time dealing with and the locations of shippers and their little quarks. plus you will get some tips on getting the job done smarter not harder. it does suck having to ride in someone elses truck again but i think that it is worth it not to damage something or kill someone due to not knowing how to properly secure.

Yea, I do think it will help greatly, I am just not crazy about the training part. But, I will just have to swallow my pride and do it! I will call and see what they have to say. Never hurts to ask.

its not that bad. i think we lose more people before training begins then actually in the truck. you stay pretty busy.

IMO, the trainer aspect of TMC's process is the most important. In orientation you get the basics of securement and tarping. Until you actually get to load and unload daily will you understand the process fully; all loads are different. The trainer shows you how to save time too. Saving time =rest & money. It also takes some time to get used to driving the split axle and the air dump. If you are an experienced driver, 2-3 weeks should work.

I remember thinking that six weeks was too long as a newbie. It was just right. Other flatbed companies will shorten that process but unless you are a "natural" you need the time to not only learn to drive and secure but to be successful.

I have to ask, How will T.M.C. trucks Go?


Are they cut back like most of these big company trucks, or will they roll?

I've been seeing some out on the road the past few weeks, but about the only time I see them is when their going the other way, T.C.W. trucks run no faster than 68 m.p.h. so I figure T.M.C. trucks must run about the same speed, because being I only see them when their going the other way that tells me I can't catch up with theem, and the one's behind me can't catch up with me.

my truck runs 67 if i mash real hard. usually just cruise at 60 or so.

Nice to see a FRESH THREAD!!! I go out with my trainer Easter Sunday or that Monday. I'll keep everyone posted!

Don't forget to check out my site too at
http://www.goldiesplating.com/flatbedfred
for the latest TMC info!!!

Congrats Goldies. Only one week away from getting on the road. Be looking forward to your future posts.

Thanks.... Me TOO!!! hahaha

starting orientation
 

well gee you go out easter sunday and im there on Friday the 10th for 3 day orient., if they come get me from the airport and i might need help to lose this earing i've had in my ear for 24 years if i can still get it out :D

Im sitting here looking looking at a message board and almost forgot i have to delv in chattanooga 50 miles away, see ya happy trails :D

Re: starting orientation
 

Good luck and keep us posted!! and YES, DO remove the earing!

What is TMC's policy regarding New York driving?
If I remember right, I thought we had a recruiter come out and tell us that we would not be forced to drive to New York is we didn't want to. Does that sound right?

This is true. But keep in mind TMC pays a $100.00 "borough fee" if you do WANT to take a load into one of the five boroughs.

At TMC there is no "forced dispatch" Drivers have load choice, unless, of course, you get unloaded late at your destination and all the other drivers have snapped up the "choice" loads then you might get stuck with a less-than-desireable load. For example; If the only load left is from Kentucky to NYC and you just happen to be the only driver IN Kentucky AND it's the last load left to choose, then GUESS who's going to NY?

LOL, fred are they offering a helmet and bullet proof vest with that? J/K, glad to hear your getting out on the road. I gota lot of internet respect for you dude, BOL & enjoy.

I'm glad to see that the TMC boys (militants :wink: :roll: )are back at it again, you guys rock

Hehehe Thanks Flyin'..... Hardhats YESS!!! but no vest yet. :cry: However TMC DOES offer a chrome 50cal. machine gun option :twisted: on their 379's. I hear its mounted flush in the front bumper and allows the driver to "shoot 'em in the knees"

Well last weekend I attended the Driver issue meeting, even though I am a trainee... Alot was brought up about some of the stuff the company is trying to do in the future. I got to meet Tim Annett, nice guy. He asked how my training was going to date, basiclly everything is great right now. It was amazing to see all the different loads that the drivers had from John Deer loads to well everything. My trainer walked with me asking if there was anything different that I would have done. I will say that the company is looking at getting 30 new trucks in a week, and some stuff like Pre-Pass was addressed and right now the company is testing in the Long haul division, but plans to role out to all as soon as possiable.

I will say this about the training. Listen to everything that the trainer has to say, remember you are green and he is the veteran driver, like mine that has seven years BTW. just learn everything that you can, but you do have a support network within the company and other drivers. Don't listen to the negetives but find out for yourself. Also you might be able to get home every week while with a trainer, depending on what division he works. Like my trainer he is specializedrunning step decks and RGN's which he wants us to runn the last two weeks training. Whatever division you decide on stay with it for a year so that you can get better for the future.

Everyone gets a trainer
 

I went to orientation for TMC a few weeks ago and everyone got a trainer except for the 1 O/O in our class. I have been driving for 15 years now and I have pulled everything except for a skateboard. I got a trainer myself for a couple of weeks. Most trainers have 387 Petes or t800 KW's. These trucks have double bunks unlike the 379 that you get after training.
I have to say that I am glad that I got to train with someone. I didn't realize how much work goes into load securement. I thought that you can just drop it on the bed, throw a couple of straps/chains and go down the road. Boy was I wrong. TMC not only wants you to secure by what the federal law say but they also want the load extra secured. This will save your life or anothers and keep stuff from falling off of the truck. I learned alot from my trainer and I will learn even more on my own.

One more thing.....when you goto Des Moines take a bathing suit and your laptop. The Baymont Inn that TMC owns has 1 indoor (warm) pool, 2 hot tubs, a steam room, 802.11G wifi and a game room with pool tables. The restaraunt at TMC is only open for lunch so plan to order in or eat vending machine food. (hot pockets, stew, and junk food) Ask for a rent car to get you there and see who you can pick up along the way.

Grats on the trainer Golds

well i finally got a break this week from training oh by the way i can still get it done



5 loads 2675 miles unloaded no later than 0730 every morning and did a little more than 4200 to the truck


so 4 to the truck is highly obtainable every week
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Joker,

you are my hero... I want to be like you when I grow up :P :P :twisted: :twisted: :P :P

What does it mean when some trainees say they ran 2600 miles, but put 4000 on the truck?

I live in Rochester, New York......will I be able to get home on the weekends with TMC. Does TMC have Loads up NorthEast to get me home.
I'm schedule to start with TMC May 08, 2006.

it means they drove 2600 miles and had a $4000 gross paid out to the truck.. the 4000 is how much money the loads the truck hauled were worth to the company....if the driver is running on percentage the 4000 is what they get a percentage of

Thanks for the info. that sounds pretty good if i decide to go percentage with TMC.

Is the percentage with TMC off 100% of the load, or a percentage of what TMC gets it for after they get the load.

Yes you can. I live in Queens NY and am a new driver for TMC and they get me home weekends, plus there is a LOT of freight available to the North East especially since a lot of drivers from the midwest don't want to come here! hehehe The loads here sometimes PAY better too!

Check out my website and Diary Page for more info on TMC.

Does TMC have a rider program? If so who do they allow to ride along

now for those new drivers that have been driving for TMC for six or more months.

Tell me how do feel about this Co. is it what you expected or better then what you expected?

Rider policy is age of 5 and above and it's for immediate family only.

yeah its what i expected and then some but each has their own opinion


but i've been pretty sucessful so i can 't complain but it's not all peaches and cream all the time but its like any other business its got its good and bad times just gotta roll with it but things always seem to work out at the end but i can say tmc for the most part will go the extra mile to keep good drivers and try to work out any differences that may occur along the way 8)

tell me about these famous TMC trucks......they are obviously loaded and pretty on the outside...does TMC get their trucks with nice premium interiors as well? Also...which do you guys prefer, the 387's or the famous 379