I have a few questions

Not really. That would be up to your Fleet Manager. Occasionally, when I was on Long Haul, I would take that extra day. Just build a good relationship with your FM so he is more inclined to grant you that favor.

 

13MWZ,

I live in Austin, my mother lives in Round Rock, I grew up in Round Rock. I drove for TMC for 1.5 years before another opportunity came along. I am working in Del Rio now and return to Austin each weekend. I'll be off for the long Christmas weekend. If you have additional question, you can buy me some Starbucks coffee and we can sit and talk. I know another driver in Austin, who just became and O/O. I can clear it with him and we can stop by where he parks his truck, maybe get him to come too, so it might cost two cups of Starbucks coffee.

 

I would usually build up 3 home days by spending 3 weeks out and get a nice long weekend. I did take 5 days home once when I was out that long. Taking more than 4 days at home at once usually impacts my paycheck more than I can afford.

There isn't a set kit of spare parts that you are given. It is up to you to check what is in the truck and acquire what you need, either from a terminal parts counter or purchase at a truckstop and get reimbursed.

You never bobtail anywhere. TMC does not have 3 trailers per truck like the big orange, so you always have to take a trailer in to be loaded even if you are picking up a preloaded trailer you need to take one in to be loaded for the next driver. I have left my trailer at home and bobtailed to Peterbilt about 30 miles each way, and I have left my trailer in the dock at shippers and bobtailed out for something to eat on occassion, but that is about it. The unwritten rule at TMC is that when you get a nice new trailer without any problems that you will have it for less than 3 days, but if you get the oldest trailer in the fleet it will be yours for at least a month.

Spreads scale the same on the Cat scales. Your trailer axles are usually on different plates but that does not matter. The axles do not slide, but you are allowed to have 20,000 pounds on each axle for a total of 40,000 pounds on the two spread trailer axles rather than 34,000 pounds on a tandem. This means that if your load weight is centered one foot back from the middle of the trailer you will never have a problem.

 

geuss what ... TMC just turned me down(to long with out a job. too many jobs (11 inthe last 5 years)), is ther anything i can do? or sould i just go and get my year in at swift co ?

 

Some of the jackets are awarded. Some are available in the store. As you get an award, you can add your own patches.

I like Carrhart clothing myself. It is good looking, durable and reasonably priced.

I like Redwing boots, eithr pull on or lace up. Pull ons save you time and you are more likely to pull them off before you get into the sleeper, keeping your truck cleaner. Also, if you have to get up, unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, pull ons are faster to pull on.

 

Probably not much at this point. 11 jobs five years is a lot of jobs, more than two per year. I'm sure you have a reason for it, but look at it from a potential employer's point of view. What in your past makes them think you will stick around for the long haul (pun intended?)

It is a little bit late, but can you justify your latest unemployment. Can you get letters from influential members of the community, that know you personally, who will verify your reasons for unemployment.

It is tough for you. Right now TMC, who's standards are high to begin with, can pick the creame of the crop because of the enconomy. Trucking companies are going under, people are loosing their jobs in other segments and other trucking companies are slowing down. Former TMC drivers, I hear, are comming back to TMC in droves. Why would they waste their time on a driver with a questionable past. TMC is raising the bar in other words.

My best advice is to find a trucking job and stick with it for a year or two, then reapply to TMC. You will have stablized your work history, somewhat, gained experience in the trucking industry and the economy may improve during this time.

Good luck.

 

Sorry to hear that Nathan. You might try and resubmit your application in a week or two. You might be more desirable in a week with different applicants. Don't get your hopes up too much though.

I would have to agree with Terry that if you get some experience with another company for 8 months or more you may have a better chance. Try applying while you are still employed at another company rather than after you quit it may look better.

 

I'm sorry, I am not meaning to insult. I am just trying to give perspective from TMC's point of view. 11 jobs is a lot. On the other hand, if there are special circumstances, you need to document that. Perhaps they will look at you. Right now, it is up to you, are you going to give up or do what it takes to get the job done?