Recently finished trucking school, im looking to start my trucking career in flatbed. Any suggestions about good companies out there to work for?
TMC!!!!!!!! High pay, best training, Brand new trucks!!!!. TMC is upgrading to all new 579 petes with a bunk heater (stay warm all night long), inverter (power microvave laptop etc.), 20 inch tv. I was a driver, then a trainer, and now and Owner Op for TMC. If you have nay questions feel free to PM me.
TMC is a good company if your 1.) in shape 2.) like a boot camp type training 3.) can grasp driving a 13 speed quickly or if not be sent home. if you like that then they will pay percentage or mileage and they do have good equipment and nice looking trucks.
I actually liked driving a 13 speed.. I am in a 10 speed now.. I pulled flatbed a few years ago and liked it.. thinking about switching to flarbed again.. The thing is.. flarbed is not for everyone... some love it and some hate it.. and you wont know if it is for you until yo u are out doing it.. so, since you are a new driver, I would look at comapnies that give you more choices.. like Schneider where they also have vans or tankers I believe... I am with werner.. so I can switch to flatbed and if I don't like it I can switch back to van or reefer.. without switching companies or job hopping..
TMC new trucks are 9 speeds. Yes TMC has high standards....same as any good company will. Boot camp? If you can't pick up the tarp......finished. You drive for tmc?
I was was thinking about it. After I called the training period is to long for my liking but I do think it's good for the overall job. Flat bedding is dangerous and after thinking about it the winter months must be very dangerous and hard with weather and the cold. Ive kept in touch with a few of my buddies from school. They have been filling me in with their experiences and what it's like. At the time it was 13 speed one guy couldn't get it so they sent him home. One guy couldn't push himself up onto the trailer without jumping so they sent him home and one guy absolutely loves it.
New trucks are 9's not 13's. 13's arnt hard anyway. They dont send many home for shifting issues. Boot Camp? Come on, have you been to boot camp? TMC training isnt that bad. They expect you to act professional because you will be representing their company. As for in shape, all they ask is that you be DOT legal and able to lift the tarps which a physical trainer will show you how to do properly.
First off, they show you how to lift the tarp properly. I only weigh 140 and i can lift it. barely, but i can lift it. im not in great shape either. Yea you need o be able to lift it though. You will form time to time need to lift it out on the road.
