Originally Posted by MACK E-6

I like for the most part what I've read here on TMC. I may join them one day myself.

Except for one thing. Apparently your percentage rate, if you chose to be paid that way, is subject to fluctuations. They raise it and lower it month to month. I don't like that at all.

Look at it a different way. Your base pay is 27%, you have the opportunity to increase it each month based on your performance. Yes, there are some factors that you cannot control, others you can.

terry, sounds like you know how it goes at TMC. Im going to orientation the 31st or the 7th, what things should i look out for, what should I avoid during training and OTR, etc. Im new to being a trucker, have spent the last 10 yrs of my life in retail and decided now is the time to switch. Any pointers or tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'll give you one bit off advice when you get your trainer - he is a truck driver. he is NOT 1) your father, 2) your boss, 3) your commanding officer. also, you're not his slave. he should NOT be in the sleeper snoozing while you're driving. he can NOT train you if he's asleep. this isn't TMC specific obviously.

Thanks chief for the heads up on the trainers. I have read thru many posts on here bout trainers running like a team getting 4500+ miles to the truck while the new recruit is getting paid his $300 - $500 for the week of busting his ### OTR. I dont expect this from TMC, but will be aware of the possibility.

So am I to understand that I could be getting 32% one month and then for no reason at all get cut back to 23% the next?? That seems like a company who pays by the hour cutting your hourly rate from say $20/hr to $15 and you not know this till pay day. If anybody could shed some light on this, that would be great.

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

I dunno who it was who posted about their ... "snapshots", I think they're called. It left me with the impression that you could be paid 32% one month, and through no fault of your own be cut down to like 23% or so the next month.

While theoretically possible to drop from 32% to 23% it is almost impossible to do. More realistically the change in percentage will be one point or two at the most. I have never dropped more than one point at a time, I have increased my percentage from 23% to 29%

Other than your 1st month as a inexperienced driver your percentage will be no less than 27% unless you body temperature drops below 98.6 degrees. An experienced driver will start at 27%

Originally Posted by stuge

So am I to understand that I could be getting 32% one month and then for no reason at all get cut back to 23% the next?? That seems like a company who pays by the hour cutting your hourly rate from say $20/hr to $15 and you not know this till pay day. If anybody could shed some light on this, that would be great.

You do not drop in percentage or for that matter increase in percentage "for no reason." On your snapshot several things are taken into account which are performance based. Your 13 week rolling revenue to the truck average, fuel mileage, transflow turn around time (paperwork), truck apperance, safe month, out of route percentage, etc. You earn or loose points based on your performance.

A few things are outside of your control, such as what loads you are given, break downs and weather. Even then you can make sure you deliver on time and early when possible and make sure you get empty early so you have a better chance of getting a good load for that day. You can keep you out of route as low as possible by trip planning. Progressively shift, use cruise control and manage your speed to increase your fuel mileage and keep your truck clean.