Hey guys ! I'm currently a Student here in Lansing, Michigan. I graduate in 2 weeks ( non-including the State Exam test, of course ... still have to do that ) and am looking to join with TMC. I should state that I've already recieved a pre-hire letter from them. I've also read quite a few things on this forum regarding TMC. Here's my question ... do you think it's a good idea at all ... living where I live, that is, working for TMC ? I do have a family but they certainly understand my need for wanting to make some money so I can better provide for them. I wouldn't mind ( much like Maverick offers ) being out 2 weeks and home for 2 days. I don't necessarily see that as a problem. Now looking at their website I see that they offer Regional, Long Haul, Specialized, Dedicated, and Value-Added ... is there one more than the other I should look into ? For the record though, I do plan on calling TMC, speaking with the recruiters and, hopefully, getting some answers to my questions ... I just thought I'd ask those of you that work for TMC ( or know someone who does, etc. ). I thank all of you for your time. Have a wonderful day and I'll be back checking on the progress of this thread.


- Mystic

Sorry Mystic, I meant to reply last week but time got away from me.

As a student you are only going to have the choices of Linehaul (home every weekend) or Longhaul (one day home per week out) until you get some experience. I think Lansing is eligible for both anyway. North of I-96 is longhaul only.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. On line haul you will have shorter runs and you have to hustle to get home at the end of the week. The upside is that you get home every weekend, and even though your family understands they still want to see you every weekend.

On longhaul I think the work is more productive since you are usualy on longer runs so that means less time loading, unloading, tarping, waiting to be dispatched etc. That can translate into more money in my opinion.

The biggest factor in your paycheck is your location though, since I live in a corner state there is a limited choice of freight. I think that Michigan is going to be an average state for freight but that depends on the future of the auto industry. There is a lot of trucking capacity in MI that is looking for our type of general freight since the automakers aren't very busy. Michigan and Ohio freight isn't the only thing you will haul however, so it won't affect you too much. I predict that a typical week for you may involve delivering in Illinois on Monday morning, then picking up a load for western Iowa for Tuesday, Kansas City for Wednesday, Pittsburgh PA for Friday, and then picking up a load there that will take you home for the weekend. So you can still get home even if freight doesn't pick up or deliver in your hometown. Actual results may vary.

I would try line haul at first, and you can always ask your Fleet Manager to give you a long load over the weekend every once in a while, just let your FM know on Monday that you want to run the following weekend and they can give you bertter loads without having to worry about getting you home. If you wish you can switch to long haul, but that means a change in your Fleet manager.

Good luck.

__________________
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien

Well, I can tell you that TMC and Maverick came into the area, I live down the road from you, and slashed rates to below dry van. But, my few accounts that they did this to are now closed, out of business. But I am sure that you can still get lumber loads up to the Lowes DC, not far from the Flying J there on the west side of town.

Good luck.

Mike

Hey thanks for the reply guys ! I'm especially glad to hear from you, Rawlco ! I actually signed up with TMC last week ( a couple of days after I started this thread ). I chose Regional work ( Linehaul ) because I still have quite a few loose ends to tie up at home. I did ask if I could switch to OTR if I wanted and my recruiter said yes. I'll be heading out December 14th ( I'll find out whether or not I've been hired, hopefully, Monday ) to Iowa. To tell you the truth guys ... I'm damn nervous. Moreso about my state exam this Saturday, though than anything else ! I think TMC is a great company and I hope I fit in ! I'm real nervous about driving their 13- speeds as well as nervous about being one of the guys that leaves each day ( at least this is what I read in another thread ) ... I'll work my ### off though ... hopefully that'll mean something down there. We shall see. At any rate, thanks for the help guys and I'll try and keep ya posted. Have a wonderful day !


- Mystic

okay let me get this right i can have a line haul FM and run as if i was a long haul driver ever now and again?

like i live in AR near Blytheville but next week i wanted to visit my brother in OKC OK i could tell my FM
"I'll thake hometime next weekend in OKC. Could you get me a long load this weekend, home in OKC next week?"

could it work like that??

Yes it works just like that. Of course you don't have to spend a weekend out in order to get from AR to OKC. On Monday morning after leaving home you tell your FM that you want to be home in OKC for this weekend 5 days from now and you should be there. You may want to give your FM the heads up the thursday or friday before just so your weekend load doesn't take you too far east in that case.

__________________
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien

now when i'm visiting my brother in OK can i idle the truck (no more than 8 hrs in a day) at night or do i have to on his couch (he lives in a 2 bedroom house w/ his wife and two kids)
i am asking this in a way that i wanted to have home time in OK and it's the summer because i know I could just have a elic heater in the truck this time of the year

You can idle the truck all you want. Tmc does not restrict idling, but they do monitor it at each service. The only immediate downside to idling is that it hurts your fuel economy. Fuel economy is a big factor in your pay rate.

Now in the winter you are required to leave your truck running when the temp is below 15 degrees to prevent problems getting it to start again.

__________________
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien

Well, it's done ( for the most part ) ! I've been accepted by TMC. I head out Dec. 13th. The only thing standing in my way right now is the state exam tomorrow ... god, I am NOT looking forward to it ... just want to get it out of the way. Have a good one fellas.

Good luck Mystic

__________________
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien