unhappy in PA with TMC

OK, calm down a bit and think long term. The economy is bad and he has a job. After reading your posts it seems as if your going to hit this guy as soon as he walks in the door and tell him to leave his job. I have been trucking for about 14 years, its not a long time compared to other members but it is enough to give a little friendly advice, I suppose. I started out from a driving school after being laid off from a factory. I had never been in a truck before. I paid my dues with an outlaw company for a year and a half that treated me like dirt. I was never home. My wife of 10 years ( at that point.) was totally pissed, BUT, we were paying our bills and making ends meet... The happy ending, if you will, is that after that crappy job, I bought my own truck and from 1997- 2005 made a ton of money on my own terms with the things I learned from running some "other guys" truck. I just got back from 15 months in Iraq running fuel over the road for 120,000 a year. So, stick with it and make your own opportunities. Stay calm and give him some time to pay his dues. After he has a year in I would advise him to find a job that will train him in some type of a specialty market, like Haz-mat, ammo, DOD, ect... thats where the money is. If home time is the issue, then after a year or so he can find a local job with no problem. For now, with only 5 months, he should stick with it. Next year at this time, if he is a good worker, I think your story will be different. Good luck and stay safe- Joe

 

Its a tough life for sure. When I first worked for TMC, they were good at getting me home, with the economy slower I know drivers have been a lot more flexible to keep the money coming. Your boyfriend has a tough job being new to trucking just driving the truck let alone getting pressure from home. Until he stops driving, I would suggest you take a supportive stance for him - the added stress just doesn't help while he is out there driving and learning a new business. Just based on your user name, it seems unlikely you will be ever be happy with this situation but why not get the year in at least so he has options if other careers don't work out?

 

Most trucking companies consider a 34 hour restart "home on weekends".If he or you took that to mean he would be home most Fridays and leave most Mondays,he took the job without fully understanding the industry.

When he would like that much time off he should request it.I am sorry to inform you that Valentines day does not in general qualify as a holiday.Your birthday should have been requested if it was that important.I assure you it is not to the company,and unless he makes them aware of those desired times off,they can not be blamed.

Be aware that if his requests are considered excessive he will most likely be replaced with some one not requiring the extra(in the companies eyes it is extra) time at home.

This is why a lot of OTR drivers stay out 2-3 weeks at a time and then take 4-5 days off at home.It allows for longer periods with the family at longer intervals.

It is up to him to decide which program if any suits his desires and needs.

 

Very well put



And him only not being home period for 2 weekends.. well I have to say that is real good..
I worked a for a outlaw company..that said...HOME every weekend.. yep I was.. i got home bout 8pm sat... had to leave bout 8pm sunday.. But I was home every weekend..lol.. Now if he was told he would be home on the weekends..an only missing 2 weekends..they are doing a pretty good job ... I guess everyones weekend is different.. some think it starts at 5pm friday and end 7am monday morning.. lol

 

That is perhaps a unstated truth.

 

unless he is doing long haul then he may not get home every week

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by red_eye
oh an one last thing.. an it does happen.. not saying it is happening.. but it does happen.. does he really wanna be home?? I know bunches of drivers that would rather stay out..then come home to a nagging wife.. LOL.. sorry but it is true.. an I know more then I will agree with it.. again not saying that is what is happening... just saying

It is sad.. but your right.. I have been there done it.. have the papers to prove it..lol

 

what trucker ever beleives they will be home weekends when you have no time in be prepared to be HOME ALONE ALOT

 

Actually it is around 0600 on Monday, And sometimes I can't get through the traffic by 1700.

 

This is the beginning of the BUSY SEASON for us flatbedders. In order to make a decent living in this line of work, you need to be aware that freight is "up" during the warmer months and "down" during the colder months, so "full weekends" during the summer is not a realistic expectation unless vacation is applied for and approved.

Having said that, you may want to consider McElroy Truck Lines, Inc. I have been with them going on three years now and I have only been kept out "all weekend" ONCE, and that was only because it was my first weekend after getting my own truck in Cuba AL. and they had to route me with loads to get home to Va.

P.S. - I remember when I was applying to a bunch of different carriers right after truck school, I got a call from a recruiter at TMC. He asked me if I had any questions and I said "Can you guarantee that I will get home every weekend like McElroy claims?" He said - "NOPE! Any other questions?" I said - "NOPE!" and hung up the phone. Buyer beware