TMC orientation

Discussion in 'TMC' started by octanebandit, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. octanebandit

    octanebandit Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2009
    jasper, ga
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    Im supposed to start orientation monday march 3rd at TMC and elected to drive my own vehicle since the bus ride was going to be like 24 hrs. Does anybody that has been there know if thats a good idea or not(as far as getting with my driver trainer), or will that throw a monkey wrench in the machine, can anybody help, I live in Georgia.
     
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  3. cplmac2

    cplmac2 Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 10, 2008
    Watford City, ND
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    Won't have any affect on getting with your driver trainer at all. Everyone from our class met up with their trainers after they went home. I drove and personally it's the only way to go there. If you want to go out and get something to eat, or stock up at Walmart you really need to have your vehicle there. They do run a bus from the training facility to Walmart, but only on Tuesday night.
     
  4. Rawlco

    Rawlco Medium Load Member

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    Aug 13, 2006
    Central Maine
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    TMC will give you $100 to provide your own transportation to orientation. There are two downsides. The first you already found out is that you may leave orientation with your trainer, but I doubt it given your location. The second is that TMC will provide a rental car and reimburse gas for people home from orientation, but if you took the $100 that is all you get, you don't get gas reimbursement for the trip home.
     
  5. terrylamar

    terrylamar Road Train Member

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    Oct 8, 2006
    Austin, TX
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    It isn't a straight $100.00, they will reimburse you for whatever your bus ticket would have cost. That is what they gave me twice, unless policy has changed in the last two years.
     
  6. octanebandit

    octanebandit Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2009
    jasper, ga
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    Thanks for the info. cpl mac and Rawlco, also I have 10 years class b experience with 6 of those as a mechanic, moved a lot of trailers around the yard backing and swinging and such, so i know my way around a truck pretty well, so shifting is not an issue and driving shouldn't be much of an issue if any, will they make me stay with a trainer the full 5 weeks or cut me loose when they feel compfortable with me? Do they do many runs through Georgia? By the way SEMPER FI!!!! cpl mac USMC 93-97
     
  7. eckz

    eckz <strong>"Radio Rambo"</strong>

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    Detroit, Michigan
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    It's better to drive in case they can you on your last day due to something stupid. Been happening alot i hear. =/
     
  8. trucking?

    trucking? Light Load Member

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    Oct 3, 2008
    charlotte,nc
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    Did you already have a class A or did you attend a school? I was supposed to be in that class your going to but changed my mind. I have a classmate that will be there with you and he is driving. We figured it was worth the drive to have a little freedom up there. If you read some other posts on here you will find that eating in the evening can be an issue if you have no way out. I already regret my decision a bit but with everything I have read I'm going to take my chances looking around.
     
  9. octanebandit

    octanebandit Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2009
    jasper, ga
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    I didn't have class a so went to school to get them, seems the insurance companies wont hardley let companies hire anybody that doesn't have 2 years verified experience or fresh out of a school, I can't give TMC a bad rap until I've tested the waters myself, good luck finding a job, I thought I would never see the day when truck drivers were looking for jobs, it has to get better though, sure as hell cant get much worse!!!!!
     
  10. cplmac2

    cplmac2 Heavy Load Member

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    Watford City, ND
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    Eckz brings up a good point, if you get cut loose or decide it's not for you a greyhound ticket is all you will get if you are lucky for a ride home. And Semper Fi Octane! I came in with about 8 years of Class B experience driving ready mix, and I'm still doing the full 5 weeks so you can probably expect the same. The transition is pretty easy though, you just have to get used to watching the inside mirror on the turns instead of the outside one, everything else is pretty much the same.
     
  11. octanebandit

    octanebandit Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2009
    jasper, ga
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    Good luck to you cplmac2 and thanks for all the helpful info. keep us posted, if ever I could be of any assistance to you let me know as I will try to post during orientation, always good to hear from an old JARHEAD thats traveled the same roads as me, even if it wasn't in a truck(lol) be safe and no matter what happens out there hold your head up, you deserve it!!!!!
     
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