Ask A TMC Driver

As a trainer I could not sleep while I had a trainee driving. I also found myself being more tired at the end of the week because I was always on.

 

Yep...that's the big drawback to training: loss of sleep. That's one of the big reasons I implored on drivers while I was still there that if they want to train their hearts better genuinely be in it and not just after the extra revenue...because that does neither the trainee or the trainer much if any good in the end.

I myself never agreed with TMC pushing drivers to train after just one year (unless they were experienced prior to joining the company and even then with significant prior experience). I waited until close to the end of my second year to become a trainer, to get another winter driving season under my belt, and I'm glad I did.

That said...it's never fun when for reasons beyond your control your trainee ups and quits on you at 10 p.m. eastern time in Indianapolis leaving you with a 10-hour trip to Joplin MO with a 3 p.m. central delivery appointment to run on barely four hours' sleep. Haha....the "joys" of training, right?

(Sometimes it pays just to count it all as "fun" just to keep yourself in check...)

 

That's right I agree with you 100 percent

That's right I agree with you 100 percent. And I'm sorry to say I think a lot of trainers are out for the money. I base my opinion on what I see at the shippers with new drivers and their securement.

 

I finished my application last night and sent it in.
I plan to finish up this month, go to drill, take a week off, then go to IA And start my process. If your a non smoker I might see you as a trainer in a few weeks

 

I'm right there with you on that there. It's a actually a pervasive problem in the trucking industry at large...too many people get caught up in a dollar amount without talking time to investigate the broader, more all-encompassing perspective of what goes into that.

I'll shortcut all that by saying this: it took me until the early part of my third year to figure out the balance of how I liked to run--balancing hometime, income, and my "itch to go" i.e. going out west or just staying out a weekend or three at a time. At that point (when I didn't have a trainee with me, that is), I tried to optimize the "fun" factor and just enjoy the lifestyle that is being a professional truck driver, and moreover being a professional flatbedder for TMC. And it worked. I believe that's how I lasted ad long as I did: I got to a point where I determined a threshold for exactly how much of the "horse manure" I was willing to put up with and not an inch further, then from there just did my best to enjoy the experience. And for the most part, I did. The open road, the different places we find out about in this country...even the breakdowns, if you're in an area that's near something to see and do can be enjoyable. But that all starts with the right type of mindset and right type of attitude.

And I'll say right now that anyone who's out solely for the $ will miss that ship everytime.

 

I heard from a few drivers in other companies, that TMC is very strict. In what ways are they strict? I can understand a flatbed company needing to be that way, because of load securement, and such. I also rarely see a dirty TMC truck, the chrome is always shiny, so I assume that is part of it, too.

 

And stay off the grass in Des Moines

 

I'm not here soley for the money, that being said when I have checks that are $200-$400 a week and call it an average check, it's not gonna cut it... That's why I'm leaving where I'm at. I love being on the road, but I may have a relationship soon, some having more home time will be nice (currently home for 2 days a month, and at drill 2-3 days rest of the time I'm in my truck.)

 

I can certainly understand that. You gotta do what's best for you.

Best wishes to you in your future endeavors, whatever/all that entails...may it all work out in your favor.

 

I'm with you brother. You said it well and I have adopted your same actions. I try to get my fm to keep me in the lanes that make good money but you know it's not up to them.But I try. I chose this job,this carrier so it's up to me to make the best of it. I think that works well for me.