Excited to be attending TMC Orientation on 2/25/2013

It's been a long time since I've posted. Here's what transpired since my last post:

I went out with a trainer and everything was going great. I started driving right off the bat, and drove roughly 10 hours each day. Started in MO with a load of iron pipes to Houston, TX. Delivered the pipes, and picked up some more iron pipes headed for Iowa. Then it happened! We got a load going from Iowa to the west coast and that meant I would not be home my first weekend out. The wife didn't take the news too well. Between orientation and my first week out, I saw my family literally 5 hours in a month's time. Long story short..she gave me the ultimatum: OTR or her.

My wife and I had talked about the demands of trucking a lot, but until you go through it, it's hard to say how your family will react to it. Anyway, I chose my marriage and left the truck. I wanted to continue with my trainer until we finished with that load, but my wife didn't want to hear it. Thus, I apologized to my trainer, got out of the truck in Utah, and rented a car to drive home to Illinois. I called my training coordinator and we talked. He said if things work out with the wife to call him and he can reinstate me back into training. I thanked him and said I would take his offer if my wife will reconsider.

Well, I talked to the wife some more, and she now has a better grasp of what it entails. She was just overwhelmed when she only saw me for 5 hours in a month's time. She realized it's not always like this, but experiencing it right off the bat is tough. I can understand where she's coming from. She agreed i should go back out.

So, I called TMC and talked to the training coordinator. He instructed me to call my recruiter. I called my recruiter, but he's on vacation and spoke to another person filling in for him. She asked me "what I've been doing since I got out of the truck". Basically, I tried to find a local job to be near my family, and still be able to drive a truck. Unfortunately, I didn't have any luck. Today, I called the recruiter again, and she said that "at this time, TMC doesn't want me back". I was so bummed out. It was suggested that I tried another company for a while "to prove that I am committed" and then reapply at TMC.

I guess I don't blame TMC for taking this position. It was, after all, my decision to leave training. I just wished they understood my reason for leaving.

Sorry for the long post. I want to thank everyone that followed this thread. I will be starting over researching and applying at some other companies to drive for. The journey at TMC was a great one while it lasted. Take care everyone and be safe.

 

Thanks FirNaTime. I've been researching Roehl and Maverick. Roehl hinted at me having to take a refresher since it's been over 60 days since I got my CDL.

I've learned a very valuable lesson. To anyone that is thinking of getting into trucking, realize that it's not just you adjusting to the new lifestyle, but your wife, girlfriend, etc. at home is also going through it too. While we, as drivers, are on the road busy with our job, they will be at home missing us, and going through it alone. I wished I had thought of the job from my wife's view. It was always seen from my end. This could have been prevented. Be safe.

 

Muelmack,

If you are scheduled to start orientation, then a room will be reserved for you. You can take a taxi from the bus station, or you can call the Baymont Hotel and they may be able to pick you up. Keep in mind that there are two Baymont hotels in Des Moines, so make sure you give the correct address if you take the taxi. There was a guy in my class who took a taxi and was taken to the wrong hotel.

Good Luck!