Starting Late in Life

My bill for the local school (Not a tech college) was $5k. Rough math says almost two years at TMC to recover.

 

I received an offer from Maverick to drive for their glass division. They have a terminal in Aberdeen, NC, about an hour from my house. I went out there a couple weeks ago and spoke with the shop foreman. Nice guy. Former soldier that also served on Bragg. They offered me $0.62 a mile plus an additional $0.02 for being a veteran and a raise at 6 months, a year, etc. Weekly miles were somewhat unclear. While hauling glass is flat bedding, it is done with a step deck, not heavy haul but similar and could easily transition into their OS/OD division. Another big difference between their glass division and TMC type flat bedding is that drivers cannot tarp a glass load. Must be done with a crane of some sort. At most the driver will tie up the sides and and roll up the tarp after delivery.

 

Update:

1. I took the tests today for hazmat, tanker and doubles. Not sure of my scores but I passed all three. The hazmat endorsement is important to TMC. Walking in the door with hazmat, TWIC and passport is worth five or six points. Could be enough to bump me into the next load percentage for pay.

2. Aside from TMC I have written offers from Maverick, Melton and Millis.

Millis - Willing to put me into their new 'Fast Track' program. One week on the yard, three on the road with a trainer and then on my own.

Melton - Seems sort of average. They want me to be out three weeks with two days at home. Two weeks on the yard, three with a trainer then on my own truck for three weeks before going home. First trip is out for two months. Not a deal breaker but a lot more than TMC.

TMC - Two weeks on the yard, home for a week and then on a trainers truck for four weeks with possibility of being home on the weekends. Potentially the best pay of the four companies. I really like their structure and general way of doing things.

Maverick. I had a written offer for their glass division, right up until I didn't. Everything was good until someone noticed two weeks as a student at TMC in my work history. They immediately pulled their offer. Said that because TMC 'Discharged' me, that they would require a year of experience with another company, etc, etc. This was disappointing as their glass yard is about abhor away from my house, and they were going to start me off at $0.62 a mile and home every week unless I wanted to stay out.

I am going to drive up to Ayden this week to have a look a the Millis terminal and talk with some people before deciding. My gut tells me I will be at TMC on the 15th. Probably going to ride my Harley this time seeing as it is no longer Heat-Con 50 outside.

My wife is so freaking eager to get me a cowboy hat and some mirrored sunglasses. <rolls eyes>