TMC from the inside

Thanks Riverrat. That's what I thought. A lot of those guys in that thread spoke about not really having a clue...even after their 2 week training.

 

I don't work for TMC, but I don't think they go out for 5 months....weeks is more like it..

 

I was glad for the 5 weeks. Didnt need any work on driving since I drove prior to TMC. The different loads and learning securement and tarping is why.

 

Roehl is actually 8-14 days. If you can pass your road test after 8 days you get your own truck. At least thats what i was told.

 

Do you get a choice between available loads or is that just recruiter bs?

 

Usually yes, if you can kick off your load early, then get the 'empty macro' sent in, there is a choice of loads. It rewards productivity 9 times out of 10.

I've heard of 'wise guys' sending in the empty macro Wellll before a fork truck ever gets moving, this can and will backfire...

 

Great. Just wanted to hear it from a driver. You know how those recruiters are. I got my cdl today, i was the only one that passed. So i guess ill see des moines monday. Im just going to drive myself and hope i get sent home to meet my trainer.

 

Noggin and Usarmc,

I work for TMC and it is 2-5 weeks based on prior experience the less you have the longer your out. Dispatch is supposed to be first in first out based on location to next available load. You CAN request a direction and/or distance, don't mean you will get it, but you can ask.
Keeping the loads legal, on time and damage free is the best way to start getting better loads and what you like to pull. Believe me there are loads I hate and places I hate, just like there some of both I love. Every driver settles into a rhythm and finds what they like. Dispatch will figure it out too, telling them helps. You will pull some of everything, like it or not. BTW keep up on ALL expenses (toll roads, parts etc) they sometimes charge you as cash advances and reimburse you on different checks, YES they make mistakes so check every check.

Sending in the empty early is a BAAAADDDD idea, wait until the fork breaks down and you have to explain the 25,000 lbs of stuff still on your trailer preventing your next load from being picked up on time, been there, not nice I think it puts you on bottom of load board too.

DO keep them informed of any delays that might prevent you from delivering on time, blown tire, breakdowns, stuck in a traffic jam, shipper taking hours to load running you out of your 14 hour clock etc..... the faster you notify them the better- can reschedule the delivery. Makes most customers happy just to know statuses, let dispatch do it. I told them 2 days out a blown tire causing a 5 hour delay would make me late and receiving closed 2 hours before I got there (Oklahoma to Baltimore)

 

Thanks for all the info. So with the dead heading as a newb is percentage or milage better? I've been told by a few vets to find out how much dead heading I'd be doing before choosing percentage pay.

 

TMC will pay you for a bounce over 100 miles- that's the way it was in '06 when I got out. I'm sure the guys will chime in.

Very rarely was my bounce over 30-35 miles. There again, the early bird gets the worm. Be MT when your FM gets into his/her office.