Ask A TMC Driver

I have yet to experience a "positive" or "good" scheduled service, that includes both the Indy and Des Moines terminals. Nearly every time in for "scheduled service" nets me with a loaner truck for about two weeks on average. Their trucks look nice, but...

I won't be with TMC much longer, in case that wasn't already obvious.

 

Sorry to hear that JMurphy. I am, as I mentioned, just getting started with them. I have had a CDL since 1996 and driven a wide variety of trucks but have been out of the seat for about 4 years now. I chose TMC as the better of many of the evil mega carriers out there. With my wife working for a great company and able to cover all the bills, it affords me the opportunity to take my time and learn this OTR business without having to rush around and do risky things in the name of another dollar.
If the things I have seen thus far continue, I will have to seriously consider what it is I really want to do when I grow up!!

 

Geez, I've been asking myself that same question for 52 years...can't seem to get a straight answer!

 

I had tree limb scratches on my 379. Wen't in for full service at Indy and they called it damaged. Had to take truck to Des Moines and change it out to my first 579. Service can be a pain but just plan on being there 10 hours min. There is nothing you can do about it. Don't expect any change with a new terminal, it's the people who work there. A mechanic installed a new radio antenna and scratched my interior.

 

When you are on percentage pay it is based on performance points you earn on a 13 week period. Those points will remain until the next 13 week period "snap shot". You gain points based on revenue to the truck, out of route, mpg, being parked within 30 miles of the consignee Sunday night, Truck appearance, years of service, and having your passport, TWIC, and hazmat. Each area is reflected by points. The better you are the more points you can accumulate. Your percentage of pay is based upon the total of these points. You can start out any where from 26% up to 32%. My feeling is the BIG determining factor is the revenue to the truck. You can be proficient with everything else but if you get loads that pay under 700.00 to the truck every day then you will loose revenue points. That is something the driver has no control over but is held accountable for. As I have said in the past when rates fall so does your pay as well as your percentage rate. If you go on vacation, or are in the shop for several days, or even have days off for the holidays the revenue to the truck will fall and so will your pay. I hope I did well in answering your question.

 

I agree with you on both counts. We (TMC) company drivers are dispatched loads based on the time we send in our empty. At times you may even have a preload on you. If you empty early in the morning you have a good chance of getting the better paying loads. Sometime they may have several loads to chose from but on the most part you get what they offer. Now that being said I have been told an O/O for TMC can have several choices every time. They work from a different dispatcher then the general drivers. Being around here for a while I have found the good paying freight lanes and try to keep myself in that area. Unfortunately I have no say in the matter. It bites when you know you can be making better money. At this time I'm at the cross roads as many others like me have been. Crunching the numbers to see if it's time to take the next step. And I must correct myself the boss(wife) told me the snap shot period is 4 weeks and not 13. I stand corrected.

 

Anybody know an tmc trainers here in kansas near ottawa. Is there good freight here in kansas. Think i will have problems getting home alot in kansas. Also how hard is it ro get in the boat divison. And is there alot of runs into canada

 

I was at TMC for nearly 17 years, from may 19, 1994 to Feb 11, 2011. I can tell you that how much you may or may not make has a lot to do with where you live. I hauled so much cheap hay and stuff because I live in South Dakota, that my 13 week revenue average was always too low. I did enjoy TMC, and I do miss driving for them sometimes. But that company is set up in such a way with the snapshot system that it just isn't the same deal for every guy everywhere.