TMC - A new beginning

I will be starting orientation on the 14th up there. We might run into each other.

 

Naw man I am going to Gaston terminal you will be goin to Des Moines right?

 

Yup, Des Moines, someone told me a lot of people get sent home?

 

People do get sent home, and for a number of things. Last week we lost 3 the first day due to 2 of them not being able to pass the DOT physical. The other guy confessed and said he might not be able to pass a drug test, so he left before they burned his DAC. Day 2 a guy left due to a death in the family, day 3 the drug test results came back, said goodbye to another. There was an experienced class running that week also, they lost 2 guys because of immaturity. We didn't lose anymore until this week. Myself and another left voluntarily wednesday. Then 2 more were sent home yesterday because of poor driving scores.

I will tell you this much - be prepared, act your age, and show respect to the ladies who prepare your food for lunch. All it takes is ONE time of you being disrespectful, or what they deem disrespectful, then you get the boot. Everyone is watching you. From the folks walking around the terminal, to the hotel employees. You are always under someone's watchful eye.

If your recruiter told you that you have the option of going out with your trainer right after orientation or going home for a week - he lied. I was told that, and I had prepared and planned for that week of to make some last minute doctors appointments and spend some time with the family before being gone for 5 weeks. After I got my ### chewed out for asking why I didn't get that time as promised, I decided to leave.

Pay attention to the videos in the classroom, check, then double check your answers on the tests, and pay very close attention to Nate during load securement.

George and Nate like to joke around - if they target you, don't take offense. If you do and you manage to piss them off, it isn't fun anymore.

Overall, it wasn't bad and I wish I could have been more prepared. From everything I learned while in Des Moines, it's not as bad as some say. Good luck next week.

 

I tell everyone that the two week orientation with TMC is a two week interview. Like helmintoller says. Be at your best. Most classes that start with 40 or so guys are half that by the end. Study act like an adult and always show improvement during the driving part and you should be fine. In my class there were clowns who acted like it was a high school trip as they were away from the wife or whatever and goofed off. Guess what? They were all gone before it was over. Even the ones that bought the TMC hats and T-shirts didn't make the cut.

 

Most of what helmintoller said was true expect for the trainer. Now they dont promise you anything when it comes to that. If you read on your orientation brief that your recruiter sends you before you come, it says right on the bottom of the first page to be prepared to leave with your tainer from the terminal. They say that because if they have a trainer, that lives reativley close to you they will put you with that trainer, right out of Des Moines. When I spent my 2 weeks in Des Moines me and another guy from NC left on Friday, got home Sat afternoon. Left first thing Sunday morning with my Trainer.

 

Wow there getting easier TMC : "Truckers mean cash"

 

Unfortunately sir, it's all true. I read the checklist, even read where it says to be prepared to leave right away. But the recruiter told me and some others had heard this as well 'our trainers are behind right now, so it could be a week before one is available, you can either take the first trainer available, or go home and wait until the following week.' This conversation took place on Thursday, I packed Friday, left Saturday morning. Didn't leave me with much time take care of things, which is why I opted for the week home to wait.

Trust me, if the conversation wouldn't have happened like that, I wouldn't have wasted their time and money, or my time and money going to Des Moines.

 

Your first mistake was believing what the recruiter told you. Recruiters are paid to get drivers to sign with the company and will tell you what you need to hear.

If you still had business to take care of, why didn't you take care of it before you went to Des Moines?

I recently spoke with a friend who is starting with a company that I had worked for previously, a good company, the recruiter told him that after he got out of orientation, he would be able to come straight home. I told him not to believe that and be prepared to run when you get out of orientation.