Sorry, I totally forgot. A question was asked to me about tarping. How to get it so tight. Sorry I'm just getting to your question. The way I do it, is I start at one end of the tarp and pull those bungees crazy tight. It takes me probably an hour to tarp loads. Im constantly adjusting the tarp. But when I'm done, I'm proud of it. Also, try to keep the seems of the tarp on straight edges of the load, no real reason for it other than it makes it look sweet!!! I dont have much more time in this line of work than you do, just work "your load." Its MY truck, MY load. I have faith you guy. Peace out!!!!
Keep in mind I'm a rookie. My checks are 1000.00 ish. I believe they will get better. That includes per diem, tuition reimbursement, and the fact that the starting pay has been increased, ALOT!! I will also say, I am earning every penny of my money. Im working harder now than I did when I was with my trainer. I dont know if this is yet another TMC test, pushing the way they do. I dunno.
Whats with the idle time? I hear they don't want you idling to run the heat or AC, and only a few trucks have APU's. They do have some of the sweetest trucks on the road.
To answer the question about gaston, it is a small but nice terminal. Has a drivers lounge with showers, a tv, nice couch and recliner. The guys who work the shop there are really cool and drew the safety guy there is really down to earth. Glad to hear you guys are doing good, its fun solo aint it. Just dont rush securement or tarping, take pride in it. Stay safe and keep trucking.
Let me try to get all these in one shot. First, Dirty Jerz, glad to hear from you. I was worried because you've been in hiding, or the witness relocation program. Glad to know your still out there. As for idle time, I dont know where that rumor came from. I can idle my truck 24 hours a day if I choose. The thing is, it will effect my mpg, which will affect my points, which affects my pay. So, the more I can save, the more money goes in my pocket. I dont idle my truck. I promise you I will when the weather gets that I need too. But, I'm not gonna idle just because I can. Take a walk in any truck stop at night, when the weather is beautiful, and you will be amazed at how many people idle their trucks. Whatever. As for APU's, no, TMC doesnt do that. And yes, I know, some of their trucks have APU's. I really dont know why you would need them. The trucks are very nice, however, there are alot of nice trucks on the road. The one I have is really showing its age. Dont get me wrong, its nice, but it also has almost 700,000 miles on it. As for the "am I in the apprentiship program?" I guess, I mean I was a student driver. They are reimbursing me for school tuition. I dont think the VA is gonna give me money though. I think that was one of those "Army screws" that I grew to love?!?!?
Allllrighty then, I'm in a motel, in Colombia, SC. My truck is in the shop, at the Gaston terminal. The a/c completely died on me. Its been painfully hot. I will say I am very impressed that my FM made it happen to get me routed through a terminal. So, kudos to him. I got my truck washed again today, and cleaned it up on the inside. Yeah buddy, it is a very nice truck. Try this on for size.... as you may know, I didnt make it home last weekend for home time, today, I deliver a load to my home town. Literally with walking distance to my house!! Get there, get that load off my deck. Did I go by the house you ask? NOPE! I gotta go!! Gotta get to the terminal before I run our of hours for the day. Otherwise, they wont work on my truck until tomorrow during the day. No home time that way. So I ran. That Pete runs real goood when its unloaded. I made it to Gaston with time to spare. My trucks in the shop. Hopefully, I can send an "empty" macro tomorrow and get another load with some home time. I also want to give kudos to the Frontier Truck Wash in Duncan,SC. They did a great job on the truck. I think they might now be my favorite wash bay. Everythings going well. TMC is keeping me busy. Hopefully this next paycheck, I can buy a big cooler/fridge for my truck. That and a crockpot, and coffee pot, and I will be set!! You can only eat so much truck stop food. Guys , be safe. Let the dummies have the left lane. p.s. I'd enjoy my job a whole lot more if I didnt have to deal with "truck drivers!!" Think about it......
I got a Coleman Cooler from WalMart for $88. Works great! Even keep milk for the occasional bowl of cereal when I'm rushed. Also got the Roadpro Lunchbox stove. I cook all kinds of things in it. Make baked potatoes, heat left overs that I bring from home, etc. Agree with you that first starting out is kind of overwhelming, but I'm getting adapted. Only weekend home I've missed so far is one I chose to stay out and they routed me to Des Moines for trailer service...ugh! At least I had a free hotel!
TMC works with the VA. If you have the GI Bill available, you can get your full payments each month.. The VA will pay you like you are in school full time. So you get your TMC pay, tuition paid back, and the GI bill payments... You should talk to them about it.. All they need to do is submit the paperwork to the VA..
I would love to, and will probably get, the coleman cooler for my truck. Im pretty sure Im not eligible for GI bill. I think my reserve unit laid it to me without me ever knowing it. It plainly states on my DD214, that Im not eligible for GI or post 911. Figures.
