If your up for it....keep this post alive with your thoughts about TMC. I am signed on to get my CDL and am very much interested in TMC.

LOL.... I like the "shippy"......

R/

Frat

__________________
US Navy Chief
"Navy Chief....Navy Pride"
"Destination: Excellence"

Frat


Yea definately...I have heard a lot of good things about TMC. They seem like they run a tight "ship". I would say the only draw back would be the orientation pay and training pay. It's 300 for orientation and 350 a week for the training (5 weeks). After that it's a cake walk. They give a list of things to bring with you and bus ticket to get there. All and all they are my number 1 company so far.

later

ryan

tmc was my first company right out of school just a little over 12 years ago. they have a GREAT hotel which they own right on site which has a hot tub , weight room, arcade & TV room. also they have a cafeteria and they probably still feed trainees for free.Hotel rooms have 2 queen size beds, only drawback is if your roommate smells or snores extremely loud you may have a slight problem.They are the best choice for a driver right out of school or someone who has never pulled a flatbed because they do give you the best training that you will ever have.They got me home almost every weekend no later than saturday morning, i stayed in chicago which was a great location for getting home every weekend, your location should net you the same since it is also great. My advice is while on site at TMC from monday thru thursday if you decide to go out to the local clubs do not drink any alchol because some while go back and tell safety. They will give you a breath analyzer test before you start class in the morning because that is considered "on duty not driving", but friday and saturday nite party on drink what you like.first monday the nurse will be there for the piss & physical.I worked there for two years, met a pretty girl around my house found a local job paying more, those are the only reasons i left TMC.,by the way still with the pretty girl, made a family, and still work local 10 years later.

Ryan,

Thanks for the information on them. They are #1 on my list now, too. I too have heard and read good things about TMC. I see alot of there drivers heading in and out of Virginia ( I live about 20 minutes from the NC/VA) state line.)

Best of luck on your new endeavor.

R/

Jeff

__________________
US Navy Chief
"Navy Chief....Navy Pride"
"Destination: Excellence"

Great info here. Thanks. Thanks for sharing. With 19 years in the Navy (14 at sea) I am pretty numb to snoring and smelly people, although its not above me to say "look man.....take a shower"...the snoring...well.... I can live with that. Pretty accustomed to sleeping with ear plugs in ...and a queen size bed....shoot...thats golden compared to a 2' x 6' three inch thick mattress

With regards to the flatbed training, what specifically did you like about it? Actually, whats differnent about the TMC way as compared to Maverick or Anderson, ect.

Rebel...not trying to hijack here....just curious.

R/

Frat

__________________
US Navy Chief
"Navy Chief....Navy Pride"
"Destination: Excellence"

Frat,

Lol..i know exactly what you mean. not being able to turn over while sleeping and "hot racking" made for some interesting nights.

Simple..definately thanks for the info. How long did you flatbed? What are some helpfull tools/equipment I should get to make the job more smooth? Work harder not smarter is my moto...lol

rebel

I dont know about anderson's training but a little about maverick and melton, tmc depending on location (I was trained in des moines) teaches you how to secure and tarp many different loads such as farm equipment, insulation,coils,lumber etc. they actually have a few loads on site that they train you on, what i like is you are able to learn at a reasonable amount of time (1 week), not this crash coarse 2 1/2 day training.TMC also gives you a manual on load securement after you complete your training so that when someday you are on your on and sometimes forget about how to secure things you can look in the manual for a quick refresher coarse.I was going to comment on the other trucking companys training from knowledge of what their drivers have told me but decided not to, its better to speak from your own experience.I can say from experience that when you are a TMC driver picking up at customer your load securement and definately tarping while out shine the competition. I was a rookie and had drivers from other companies asking me how to secure a load and i had the answer every time.I have to remind you that it has been 10 years since i worked for TMC and a lot has changed, but i still talk to a few drivers on the C.B., when i left the des moines drivers had TMC trucks (black & chrome),Indianapolis trucks were called Shamrock(green freghtliners pulling a covered wagon) and South Carolina trucks were called Dakota(wine colored freightliners pulling (forgive my spelling of this word) conastoga trailers or sometimes referred to sliding curtains. i hope this post was helpful.

I pulled flatbed for a total of 5 years, 2 with TMC, 3 with Inland steel mill, 7 years and counting pulling double trailers, you make a lot more money pulling double trailers even though they are not fun to do.Over the last 3 years i have made a gross of 90,000. This year because of economy I will be lucky to see 75,000 and that is with being home every day off on the weekend. i am not bragging but only trying to inform you of what or where to go once you get some experience,I wish someone would have told me somethings when i started driving but then again I understand why most truckers keep things about what different drivers make a secret.
The only helpful tool would be a strap winder, but dont go out and buy one because Tmc might sell you one for a cheaper price or a driver who is quiting flatbedding will probably give you his for free.

MLRS,

I'm not exactly sure why you would post a commit without fully READING the post. Anyway I served in Iraq 2 tours and would gladly go back if given the option. Try not to jump to conclusion.....it tends to make people sound like they have NO idea what they are talking about. Thanks for serving mlrs!

rebel

Simple,

Thanks again for the information. I have came across truck drivers that feel you should have to go through the same strains they did as drivers. They were very relucktant give me any helpful information. The winder is a great idea. From what I hear TMC is huge on making sure all straps are tightly rolled. Thanks again

rebel