Headed to orientation on the 11th anyone else?

Yeah, my girlfriend feels much better about me only being out for 5 days instead of weeks. Ccc does weekly or 2-3 days as well but I really think flatbed is what I want to do. Maybe it's my Army mindset kicking in again and wanting more of a challenge. I just don't want it to be too much. I read your whole thread on your experience so far and I think I may have finally made up my mind on going to TMC. Thanks for all the info! I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not enlisting in this and can move companies if I hate it. I'm sure you know about being stuck in a military contract as well. Haha I've just been making my decision process a bigger deal than I needed too probably. Just want to pick the right place.

 

Just go into TMC orientation with a presentable professional attitude, dont lie to them, do what your told, and dont fall for the traps. Youll notice the traps. Keep in mind orientation is like going to bootcamp for the first time without all the screaming. They are there to screw with your heads to add pressure and see if you can stay the line. If you get through orientation, you got it.

 

So my dad has drove trucks for many years. Never did the otr stuff ever because it was bacll k in the 70s and 80s. Well he drove a flatbed at some point and when we went out to breakfast he pretty much told me everything negative to make me want to not do flatbed. He said stuff like you're always stressed your load might fall and kept saying it's not worth the extra effort for some more money. He's got me second guessing myself now and so I'm trying to make a final decision between flatbed or just doing dry van. He thinks I should just worry about driving at first instead of adding load securement etc. as well. What do you guys think? I know you've been doing it a few weeks now Gunner.

 

Personally, my grand father was a heavy hauler, my dad drives dry freight for GM. MY cousin hauls reefer. And my wife's family are livestock haulers. Each has their own level of difficulty. Flat bed is hard no doubt. TMC has made flat bedding down tio a science. Their load securement isn't a suggestion, it's a requirement. They want it done their way because it surpasses anything the dotand fmcsa requires. Hell I've done munitions onloads on a carrier at sea using helicopters and good old fashion hands crank wenches, that's done hard ### work. But flat bedding is harder, it requires you to think, about what needs to be done to keep that load from coming of that trailer when taking a corner, it requires you to take extra care when driving because you're loads can be more top heavy.

I know I've only been out here for 3 weeks. But I've hauled steel coils, aluminum coils, steel pipe, shingles, insulation, steel coiled rod, plate steel for transformer heatsink, wire mesh, and even some John Deere parts. No over dimensional loads yet. The weights I've hauled were anywhere from 6500 to 48000lbs, I've drove on i80, 75, 94, 95, 40 from Tennessee to Missouri through the gorge. Yeah it's a challenge, yeah it can get hairy at times. But if you use your head, and follow the standards set by TMC, you'll be fine. Don't fall for what others tell you, do what TMC requires, and you'll do fine.

In the end, yes I know I've only been out here for 3 weeks, today starts week 4. But God #### I'm loving this, I love a challenge, I love being tested. So long as I sick to the guidelines and use my head, I'm gonna be just fine.

I was second guessing myself same as you was, there is an old saying that my grandfather said to me as a kid, "grin and bare it, cause it ain't gonna go away"

What I'll say to you is above, but I'll add this.

Do what you want, but don't skip out on a challenge until you at least try.

 

I love a challenge as well and that might come from my time in the Army. Being artillery I had to deal with 100lb Shells and picking them up, securing them, and later loading them to fire. I know it won't be easy but I'd feel more accomplished I think doing flatbed. The last part of what you said is what I have to remind myself about this. Don't skip out until you at least try. Well, in my mind, this situation kept feeling similar to enlisting again. I have to remind myself that I'm not signing a contract and if I don't like it, I don't have to stay. Thanks for the help there Gunner.

 

Good luck keep your ears open! Stay safe

 

why did those 3 students leave?