TMC Transportation, Inc. - Des Moines, Ia.

Quick Semper fi to the male dominated trucking field I am a vet. usmc mom, 2 sons and my daughter-in law. 3 tours of kids in Iraq and 2 more coming up. trucking nor the Marines is for whimps

 

How long have you been at TMC?????????????? We leased puchased a wilson from them when they still had o/o seperated into FX. It was not suppose to be paid off until 12/07, we paid it off 10/06, we did this in11/03 when we leased the mack to them, them we lease purchased the 04 mack in Jan. 07. We had to gave them the trailer title as collateral then pay $2000.00 to get title back after $12,000.00 in repairs becuse of the exaust leak. see reggie at the truck lot if you want the same deal

 

Well, if you leased with fortune express, i can kinda see why they did what they did. I'm not saying it's right, or wrong... But, they're weird about certain things.

I talked to one of our O/O's that had a completely rebuilt 89 Peterbilt, absolutely beautiful truck, but because it was an 89 they diddn't want to lease it. They ended up doing it, but only after the owner of the truck talked to Tim personally, and showed it to him.

To be honest with you, I don't think they cared much for having a Mack on their fleet. I've seen one O/O that had something other than a Pete, or a Kenny, and that's a nice, new, chromed out white Volvo (Nice guy that drives it)

As far as the new recruits, it looks like Terry and Ole' Jarhead have you guys pretty much worked out as far as tips, advice, etc. Just keep in mind guys that Trucking (not just TMC) has it's bad points. But personally, in comparison with what i've heard of many, many other companies, TMC takes the best care of me, and gives me what i desire. Driving a Van is boring. I think that Werner starts out at 26CPM (?) TMC will start you out in the high 30's, and it goes up quickly. That is mileage pay, on percentage, my first year if broken down into mileage i averaged anywhere between 39-45CPM, some loads are even higher. (I wont make these same claims now, freight has taken a turn for the worst, id recommend mileage to you guys that are starting out, sense i just came back i need to wait another 5 months to change from percentage)

Anyways, i'm picking up some coils in Dearborn Michigan at 1PM this afternoon, and heading to Kansas City with them for Weds. I might come back home and mess around for a bit, or just hammer down and get down there, not sure yet. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and i'll talk to you next year!!!

 

I was at a local company for 12 years,senior driver out of one hundred.Great pay,benefits and close to four weeks vacation time.Also a pension plan.What did I do do?I quit.Why?Management.There was a constant turn over in supervisors and management.I got used to one personality and routine,then that would change as they were either fired or quit.This went on and on.Now, I do have many years experience at driving and a safe record,but when you get rookie supervisor's that are trying to make a name for themselves.Beware.Your status as an experienced driver nor your input on safety,productivity no longer count.Again they are making a name for themselves.Your ideas or input don't count unless they recieve the credit.After 12 years,enough of the nonsense.I would rather work for someone who appreciates my record than someone who uses it to move up the corporate ladder.I am going to make less money now.Proably less benefits,but I'll be alot happier and less stressed out than working for a company that always looks at their bottom line and shareholders profits.I became just another employee number.I no longer had a name.O.K.,I know I am rambling on,so back to TMC.After I left my employment,I saw an add in the paper.TMC was hiring for local positions in the NY metro region.I did go to an interview.What attracted me was the new equipment,pay and local flatbed work.Interview went fine and I followed up with someone in DesMoines.Things that were told to me at the interview started changing.1.I was told with my experience I would not have to go to DesMoines for training.2.I would be assigned a tractor locally.3.Any briefing on company policy and procedure would be done at this local terminal.20 minutes from my home.A few days later I received a call from DesMoines that I need to come out to training.They said this is needed for orientation and a physical,although I did have a valid medical card.I said O.K..Their mode of transport is a greyhound bus.Now,a bus isn't hard to drive,but sitting on a bus from New York to Iowa didn't sound like fun.They said they would reimburse me for my ticket.I looked up airfares,it was cheaper and faster to fly Northwest Airlines than a bus.They said they would not reimburse me for this.I said O.K..I was ready to go.Round trip ticket in hand,everything seemed alright.Another phone call came.I was told now I had to go out with a trainer.So much for round trip on the plane,which I later found was non refundable.I also found out that even with my experience,if I quit while in training I would owe them a large amount of money.I never did go.With some research on the web and from fellow drivers you can proably weed out the good companies from the bad.I don't want to jump from one frying pan to the next as the old saying goes.Good Luck.

 

my man avoids florida if all possiable, has had 3 great payn loads in, but worst payen comen out, from what we hear, thats the norm for florida, he got lucky, the pay going in made up for the pay comen out, but others have not been so lucky. of course right now, all loads are slim, ya pretty much stuck with what ya get anywhere, thats also typical this time of year, come spring, hopefully, you will do better. my husband took precentage, has been with them a year, he prefers it, he compared for first 6 mo, and always made more on percentage, but it oculd be different in other areas, you have to decide, your trainer is good help for this, cuz he will most likely be from your area or close by and can tell ya which way to get paid that works for you. you will see here, everyone has their pros and cons w/ TMC, all in all, they are good, and better then most, all companies will have their faults, stick with this site to keep getten advice and talk to other tmc drivers as you come across them, they are the most helpfull, right down to directions, tarp advice, etc, use the info to make it work for you and you will do ok, best of luck and happy new year!

 

I've got a friend here in Springfield, MO that is interested in some info regarding TMC...

He dosen't want to be out longer than 2 weeks at a time.
One year of exp.
% or per mile?

He was told by one of the TMC drivers he talked to that he will be hauling a lot of shingles and building material that the driver said, "Dosen't pay very well.".

Is this ture for a driver from this area?

He needs at least 2 more years exp. before he is eligible to work for us...So he needs to find a good outfit for a min of 2 years.

Thanks

 

shouldnt have bought the mack

 

Sterling...Sergeant type one each. USMC 1980-1990.

Thanx for all your info. Im not sure who it is starting the 14th, but I may be in your class. I also want to mention that Im sure Trucking is a mirrior of life(It is what you make of it). Ive pretty much gotten over all the "TMC SUCKS" guys. All you Jareheads just remember there is always that 10%. After finding out that there so many Marines at TMC it is a shoe in for me.

Happy New Year! Hope to see you on the Road soon! S/F

 

He should do well in that area.. we have a terminal in Joplin about 75mi west on I-44 at exit 4...across from the Petro.

In that area, which is a major lane for us, he should be home every weekend if he chooses.

 

Yup, got the coil off Monday..and sitting back at the TA in Wildwood,FL...
lots of empty flats sitting around...no loads...
Got a load sent to me for Wed out of Savannah,Ga, preloaded trailer going to Indy area..will be able to finally get rid of this darn bad supersingle I been dragging around for 2 weeks at the Indy terminal on the way.
Wish they would pay for the layover or at least IdleAir.