TMC Training - Accepted!

[Diesel_Matt]

Howdy fellas, so recently I've decided to totally switch my career path from civil engineering. Since I was a kid I've always been interested in trucking and couldn't help but stare at the rigs running down the highway and seeing myself in one some day. So, after some company research and speaking to different drivers, I decided I wanted to pull flatbed and I submitted my application to TMC. I was quickly accepted and was invited to come take their company offered CDL class, followed by their company orientation in Des Moines.

I was wondering what I should expect come July when I show up at their training center. What is it like? How's the atmosphere during training? My main question is, even though I know I'm competent enough to do the job, as well as being physically able, will I be fighting other students for a job there after all is said and done? Or is earning a spot with them as easy as they made it seem?

Any advice will be appreciated, good AND bad. Thanks guys.

 

[TroyMotors]

This is just from what I read on the forums about the place and seen on the roads:
Company is owned by x military man.
Seem to run a tight operation.
Much better company then swift or the other mega carriers (mega carriers are sweat shops on wheels that you dont want anything to do with)....
They expect you to put in your best effort and don't be a slob in their truck.
They have nice equipment with electronic log books.
Flat bed pays much better then van or reffer.
Your off to a good start and I wish you luck in the industry.
Its not for everyone but nothing is for everyone.

I hate to hear you were romanced by trucks on the road vs civil engineering but what ever makes you happy.
welcome to the board.

 

[GAnthony]

This is just from what I read on the forums about the place and seen on the roads:
Company is owned by x military man.
Seem to run a tight operation.
Much better company then swift or the other mega carriers (mega carriers are sweat shops on wheels that you dont want anything to do with)....
They expect you to put in your best effort and don't be a slob in their truck.
They have nice equipment with electronic log books.
Flat bed pays much better then van or reffer.
Your off to a good start and I wish you luck in the industry.
Its not for everyone but nothing is for everyone.

I hate to hear you were romanced by trucks on the road vs civil engineering but what ever makes you happy.
welcome to the board.

a long time ago, TMC provided cans of wax for the driver to keep that tractor all nice and shiny......

that'll be the day when i am a company driver and i use up my time, waxing a company truck..waiting in line at a Blue Beacon, and cleaning the inside is all i'll do for a company truck. that's enough "pride in my ride", i care to do.

 

[TroyMotors]

a long time ago, TMC provided cans of wax for the driver to keep that tractor all nice and shiny......

that'll be the day when i am a company driver and i use up my time, waxing a company truck..waiting in line at a Blue Beacon, and cleaning the inside is all i'll do for a company truck. that's enough "pride in my ride", i care to do.

LOL agreed!
If they gave me a can of wax I would laugh my way out the door.

 

[GAnthony]

LOL agreed!
If they gave me a can of wax I would laugh my way out the door.

if i were an o/o, then i could see putting a coating of wax on my rig, and i have seen such being done, over the years at the truck stops. i think that for me, as a company driver, my responsibility would be more in line with washing it at a truck wash, and keeping the inside clean and odor free, that's about it. i'll be damned if i am going to ise up my spare time, (off duty time) and wax a company rig, just ain't gonna happen with me, and never did.

i find that doing my laundry, or relaxing, maybe getting some "Z'sss" is much more conducive to my well being. reading a newspaper, watching the news/weather reports, etc, a re for more important than a coat of wax will ever be.

now, all this goes back several years (TMC providing wax and polishing rags) to the drivers. i really do not know, if they do that to this day, only a TMC rep or driver can confirm this.

but then too, to this day...i do not see any "raggity looking", TMC trucks out there.....

 

[mndriver]

Have you seen the crap they were selling off here the last couple years? Pete 379's with over a million miles on them.

 

[GAnthony]

Have you seen the crap they were selling off here the last couple years? Pete 379's with over a million miles on them.

but i'll bet they were nice and shiny..!!

 

[vaportrail]

stay in engineering. keep your sanity, money, life...but you'll figure that out soon enough

 

[ayran993]

Good luck trucks top out at 62 MPH.

 

[Diesel_Matt]

I've just lost interest for what I do. I work as a land surveyor currently, but not a registered one because I only have an associates degree. I'm not necessarily after big bucks here, but definitely trying to find where I belong. Since trucking's been on my mind since I was little, figured I'd give it a shot.

 

[Tazz]

Lots of long hours, hot as hades tarping in the summer, cold as a witches boob in the winter.

You may find it is exactly what ya needed, or might cry uncle in the first month but good luck. We will answer any question we can, with a dose of humor and sarcasm. Do not let the doom and gloom folks scare ya off.

 

[GAnthony]

Good luck trucks top out at 62 MPH.

boy, that sure changed.....from back in the day.

 

[Diesel_Matt]

I'm fluent in sarcasm, so I'll fit right in in that aspect. And like I said, I'm accepting all opinions. You can't only listen to the good ones.

 

[GAnthony]

I'm fluent in sarcasm, so I'll fit right in in that aspect. And like I said, I'm accepting all opinions. You can't only listen to the good ones.

if you only listened to the good things, you'll never know when you're gonna be biting an onion....

 

[vaportrail]

if you only listened to the good things, you'll never know when you're gonna be biting an onion....

what if its one of those sweet onions

 

[GAnthony]

what if its one of those sweet onions

you'll still have bad breath

 

[Tazz]

you'll still have bad breath

Might be an improvement for some folks

 

[ayran993]

boy, that sure changed.....from back in the day.

How can one make any money running like that? Kinda pathetic if you ask me.

 

[Tazz]

How can one make any money running like that? Kinda pathetic if you ask me.

Instead of trying to run a bazillion miles a week, they get more per mile (at some companies).

I have never worried about what my trucks ran, but rather what my salary was.

 

[ayran993]

Instead of trying to run a bazillion miles a week, they get more per mile (at some companies).

I have never worried about what my trucks ran, but rather what my salary was.

I can't agree with your whole post but some of it. You do know running under the speed limit can be a hazard on the road right? Most speed limits are 65 and up and when going under the posted limit will make other drivers irritated other truck drivers especially when they are running in wrong lane instead of being in the granny lane.