TMC

Naww...I wouldn't say that. It's a little different, but the same concept. Truck stops you may still have to Alley Dock to get into a space, especially at the tighter truck stops like Pilot and Love's. There are still plenty of places that a flatbed must still Alley Dock back to get into, so don't lose that skill. It's saved me a number of times, especially in a parking spot at a truck stop that is so difficult to get into, you don't have a choice, but no one else wanted to try it because it was too difficult for them or too much work. If you have a load on the trailer, true, you want to avoid doing it, but if you get into a tight spot, or have to deliver to a place with a tight spot, you won't have a choice.
Keep the skill, just learn how to do it Flatbed style.

 

If you are on percentage pay please let us know what the truck is grossing.

One TMC guy I met said truck was averaging $2.20 a mile which is bs on the driver.
TMC is probably double brokering loads to themselves or something fishy.

 

Lol don't get it twisted now, I still can alley dock. In 14 years. I can count the times I've alley docked on one hand. My trainer taught me to set up at a 45 degree angle, cut the wheel a little bit, then follow the trailer on. I do see the benefit of backing at a 45 because it leaves space on your blind side to get under the trailer.

 

I just won't even attempt tight backs unless I have to. Tires are too d'amned expensive.

My trailer came with BFG all position when new, and I got 12 months out of them. I've really watched how I back and turn now, and have had these XZE's on for a year this month, and I'm at 17/32"

 

Kudos....to everyone above.

This is a really good thread -- some of the replies here are really good stuff.

-- L

 

The problem I found with companies that are bigger like TMC is the percentage pay sounds good but they never utilize your time well enough. For example pickup a 700 mile load Monday and the delivery is set for Wednesday. I’m really interested in this thread and can’t wait to see how it progresses.

 

I used to work with a guy who went to TMC. For some reason he flunked out of load securement class, even though he already had flatbed experience…I’d probably flunk out too if I had to pick up one of them tarps.
Met a TMC driver on a jobsite once who had just blindsided from a SUPER narrow street through a gate onto the site. I had to tell him how impressed I was and he told me it was his first couple weeks being on his own. They must teach you something there…
Although he did tear a couple mudflaps, he didn’t hit anything. The street had high curbs on both sides…

 

It's true. But u have no leverage as a rookie in a starter company. Got to suck it up for the experience on the resume.