Hey Red-- Just waiting for the call in the morning after my papers go in front of the "hiring board" this afternoon. Recruiter said most likely orientation the 29th, so far so good. Maybe I'll see ya, I'll be the one scared sh***** about what I'm getting myself into.

Anyone else, I do have a ?? I see that you want to drop a load a day with most carriers, and that most average 600 mile loads. I'm 17 stages of art-tarded I suppose, but with 11 hour drive time and according to the school I went to needing to average less than 55 mph on your trip, I see the math adds up, but how much are you pushing to get this done when and if you have to backroad and small town that crap when you're havin to drop to 30-40 mph? I'm sure it's a stupid question, but I just don't have "that" light appearing above my head on this one.

In most cases you will not be able to drop a load, bounce to your next load, load and secure/tarp and drive 600 miles. Unless you are on the Interstate System in the West you cannot drive 600 miles in 11 hours legally. Anyone able to this is a master at creative logging, or they haven't been caught, yet.

Most, Line Haul loads with TMC will not be 600 miles. You might have one occaisionally, but it is not every day. When I got one, I had to drive the next day. Common sense would tell you to ask for a shorter follow up load so you could maintain your five deliveries for the week.

It doesn't always work out that way, you have to learn to go with the flow and not take it personally. Freight is fickle. Unless you are on a dedicated account you cannot count on consistency.

Worry about the things you can effect. Delivering first thing Monday morning. You may have to leave Sunday to arrive and get your 10 hour break in. Make sure you wake up on time. That is at least an hour early. Other truck may be there waiting. I never had a problem cutting in front of a driver that couldn't get up. Even other TMC drivers only got one call on the CB, before I cut.

Keep your left door closed. Stay out of the truck stops. Learn to regulate your liquid intake or learn other coping stratigies! Have Baby Wipes on hand for "accidents."

Learn effenciency in loading, securing and tarping. It only come with experience. You can jump start your experience by watching other drivers and asking quesitons. You do not know it all and never will. You can learn from every load and every driver.

Maintain your truck, trailer and equipment. Prevent accidents, tire incidences and equipment failures.

Communicate with your Fleet Manager. Let him know anything and everything that affect your ability to perform your job.

If you keep on top of these 5 areas you are well on you way to becoming a professional truck driver and an asset to TMC.

Nuked,
Don't sweat it! you appear to be level headed and realistic about what the job is all about. Terrylamar sums it up quite nice in his response to you. I am going to focus on his advice and work hard to secure my employment with TMC. FYI I still dont have a place to park the truck when and if I do get home. I guess I'll just have to stay out working untill I can find one ha!ha!. I'm looking forward to the two weeks in Iowa and getting started. I've been out of steady work for awile now. Did you get your approval yet ?

Terry, once again I thank you for your insight. I know that it will take a while to get accustomed to the driving lifestyle, and I'm willing to suck it up and take an *** whoopin along the way relearning ways to avoid bad habits. I finally understood the meaning of keep the left door closed (yup, I'm THAT rookie!) As far as stayin out of the truck stops, how much fuel does a truck carry? How much do you normally want in the tanks, and do you fuel after weigh stations? No APU/Inverter with TMC, a cooler, what size do they have and where can you find the 12v's at? I'm no princess, I don't have to keep my face mask cold, but some lunch meat and fruit would be a nice thing to have chilled, along with some G2 Gatorades! Thanks again for the input.

Goin to call them again tomorrow, dealing with Roehl and Maverick on the phone today as well as having a frickin cold and my car blow a $300 tire to top it off depleted me. I guess I'm just gettin prepared for life again. I liked Roehl for the APU and 7/4 7/3 but I think I can find a way to survive without those things, as long as I have a company behind my back that will be there for a bit. Maverick is another thought I had, 550 orientation, 500 week for training, and 35 cpm startout, but no tuition reimbursement, and I've got a $4,000 bill to pay. Even with the difference in cpm's and training pay, it didn't seem to work well enough. What are TMC's cpm's if you don't do percentage (which I keep thinking I prefer based upon general conversation on the site).

Not sure but from what Rawclo stated back a few posts ago it reallly depends on each load. I will be starting off in Longhaul (hopefully) so I'm not to sure what will be best for my area. I talked with Maverick and was told nothing availible in my area right now and to check back in a few weeks So I'm commited to TMC for now and will put 110% into getting it done right. Not sure about Roehl but that program seems pretty nice!
Let me know if you are approved. Good luck!

As we veteran drivers keep saying, percentage is the only way to go, until you get your year in. TMC's mileage pay starts out at $.30 per mile. You can earn another penny in bonuses. The equivilent percentage pay is at least $.45 to $.55 per mile.

Occasionally, you may make more on mileage, but it almost impossible. Remember, you will be out with your trainer for five weeks. You can figure your pay based on mileage and percentage. You will see in black and white, cold hard facts, which is better FOR YOU! You have to use your numbers, not your trainers. Ask your trainer to help you with this. Most of you don't understand the system and don't understand what I am trying to say. Get your trainers help!

UNTIL YOU HAVE ONE YEAR IN, PERCENTAGE IS ALWAYS BETTER!!!!

One other thing you TMC drivers need to do is to learn the pay system, both mileage and percentage. Learn to game the system. Once you get through training and are actual drivers, contact me. I will give you some valuable tips, gauranteed to increase your pay.

Well Red- I hope your trip/training and career go well! I contacted TMC today and was told that I was rejected by the hiring committee. No reason, but I don't need one, just time to find another #1. Keep your trucks looking good TMC Drivers- I'll be with either Roehl or Maverick, time will tell. Keep the rubber down!