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…
honestly idk how someone with experience would be booted from here. i havent had one problem with hthe orientation training. we just finished day 1 of load securement. tomorrow will be a long day of throwing straps and chains again, sunday is the final day and our written test. that is the only closed book test we have. they take alot of pride in their training, to the point of being ####y. training wise im extremely happy with my choice, benifits wise not so much. but again this is only a 6 to 8 month endeavor with them. part of their driving portion is a figure 8, both forward and reverse if i remember correctly. i wont be back into a truck untill next week. right now our class is about 45 but i do expect alot of cuts the next few days.
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.
