Originally Posted by rcp7

Hey Parr3,

I first want to appologize that I cant give you any insight about TMC, but I noticed that you're from Palmyra NY, so you're not too far from Rochester. I just wanted to ask what CDL school did you go to. By any chance was it PDI (Professional Driver Institute) across from the Rochester airport? I looked into going there back in October 2007, but I decided to back out the day before my class started. I decided I needed more time to decide if I wanted to go into trucking, especially after all the time and money I've put into learning my current job. I currently live in Batavia, and I've been working at CSX as a train conductor out of Buffalo for about the last two years, but I'm currently furloughed (temporarily laid off) for the second time this year (and it doesint look like I'll be going back to work there any time soon), and so I've decided to consider trucking.

If you did in fact go to PDI for school, what can you tell me about it? How were the instructors? Was there any curriculum that they used besides just the NY DMV CDL Manual? Did they have you do any work on simulators? How much actual time did you get behind the wheel?

Like yourself, I also got prehire offers from TMC and Swift (although my uncle who has been driving for years had nothing good to say about Swift). However, I was never shown anything in writing (but I admit that I forgot to ask). Were you ever shown anything in writing about your prehires? I'd love to hear anything you can tell me about your CDL school expiriences.....thanks!

Originally Posted by PARR3

thats ok thanks for the info on swift i allready made up my mind that im going to TMC and it dont scare me that there strict thats fine with me better that way than haveing someone give you the keys and says now go do your job.to me i love to learn new things and to me i think i can do that at tmc just worryied about little things i read on here but most either dont work for them anymore or they just dont like what they do.you got to love what you do.and i have allways wanted to be a trucker .some of my so called uncles are truckers and my father wanted to do it to but couldnt do that he only had one leg.i got my cdl well i should say i passed my cdl test on the day he died 19yrs ago to the day well ttyl
be safe rich

Originally Posted by Big Pimpin

I would have to say steer clear of swift but tmc is ok from what I hear just that their real millitant and strict a buddy of mine that graduated school with me went there and quit. there is an old rumor that a guy stepped on the grass at orientation and got fired and my buddy said they tell you dont step on the grass and someone said tmc stands for trucker marine corps. thought that was funny I am going to maverick usa its another flat bed comp. I dont know if they hire ny but you could check. Just to let you know about swift I have 2 friends that work there who hate it say the company is screwing them I never talked to anyone who was happy with them. I went to millington, tn for their training and left 2 days later it was awful.

Originally Posted by Big Pimpin

I would have to say steer clear of swift but tmc is ok from what I hear just that their real millitant and strict a buddy of mine that graduated school with me went there and quit. there is an old rumor that a guy stepped on the grass at orientation and got fired and my buddy said they tell you dont step on the grass and someone said tmc stands for trucker marine corps. thought that was funny I am going to maverick usa its another flat bed comp. I dont know if they hire ny but you could check. Just to let you know about swift I have 2 friends that work there who hate it say the company is screwing them I never talked to anyone who was happy with them. I went to millington, tn for their training and left 2 days later it was awful.

Originally Posted by terrylamar

TMC is not millitant, they have not started any riots or protest nor do we walk around with arm bands or clinched fist raised into the air.

TMC is strict in the sense that you are expected to do what you hired on to do in a professional manner. If you can't abide by a few rules TMC may not be the place for you. Mr. Annett spends over one million dollars per year on landscaping. If you walk on the grass and get caught by the wrong person you may very well be fired, same as if you are caught fighting, drunk, slovenly or abusive. They tell you the rules right up front, you can't obey they will ask you to leave. If you are unable to comply with a few well defined rules at company headquarters how do you think you will act at the companies that TMC pick up and deliver too?

TMC is nothing like the military, well maybe the Cub Scouts, Brownies or even the Air Force.

Originally Posted by Big Pimpin

Hey I didn't say you were part of the ss or anything just that they are strict and I should have stated stricter than others I know alot of people are ok with that I am just not ok with people saying they will fire you for having food in the truck and just stupid stuff. Didn't mean for you to take it the wrong way sorry.

Originally Posted by terrylamar

I guess I should have added a smiley. It was your use of the word "militant." Like I said, they are strict like the Brownies. They will not fire you for food in the truck, unless you store it opened, out of the wrapper and on the floor. I can't think of any "stupid stuff" unless you are undiciplined to begin with. Just treat people the way you want to be treated and you will be fine anywhere you go, including TMC.