Looks like OTR is it.......

The big cooler is the truth, the way, and the light.

 

So you understand that TMC's orientation is 2 weeks and then when you say out with a trainer for 2 weeks. Is that what your recruiter told you out 2 weeks with a trainer? I would caution you to not count on just 2 weeks with a trainer. TMC most generally has drivers out 4 -5 weeks with a trainer. I understand you have experience with flatbeds but not OTR. But TMC has been known to give experienced drivers a false representation of time with a trainer. They truly believe that if your experience was not with TMC then you are considered a NEW driver. They will still require there 2 week orientation in load securement. When you are sent out with your trainer then that 2 weeks you were told will be decided by your trainer.. so it could be 2 weeks and it could turn into 4-5 weeks. Also did your recruiter tell you that TMC is testing Automatics and that TMC uses driver facing camera's? The automatics presently are a test and last I heard they had 50 new trucks with them. They said it was merely a test to get driver feed back and may in fact decide to convert the entire fleet to auto's. I am not trying to raise concerns or say that you should not go with TMC. That is 100% a choice that only you can make for you. I just know that they have not been very forthcoming with information with New drivers about these things especially the driver facing camera's.. BTW where is your home base if you don't mind me asking? Because they should try to set you up with a trainer who is running out of the same home state . Not always possible but they are pretty good about that.. Congrats and good luck..

 

Before I was married I carried a cooler, a microwave, a tv, and an xbox. I thought I was living fairly well, and then my wife came out with me after our honeymoon and I found out I had been living like an idiot. lol I bought a refrigerator, a rice cooker, and a hot plate and I was eating better than the people spending their pay check in the greasy spoons. It wasn't that big of an investment and I was seriously saving at least a hundred bucks a week. Just food for thought....pardon the pun.

 

No problem Mark and that is pretty much the answer they are giving on the cameras..I imagine that is what you will hear when you ask again as it has been there position since they started using them. So as long as they told you something about driving facing cameras that is the main thing. Yes they really do not deviate from there 2 weeks of orientation. Because they do actually go above and beyond what is required by law for securement. The other factor with there securement is it gives them time to find out that people can actually do the job physically. I will tell you they are very anal about keeping the trucks clean just an FYI. I have known people who have been let go for not adhering to there truck policy. I think it is a good thing really but then I am OCD about vehicle cleanliness..lol They pay for the washes or reimburse for them so it is really a non issue unless someone is just lazy.. The last thing and you may have heard but they have signs at the HQ facility asking people to not walk on the grass.. This is NOT a joke they have dismissed people from Orientation and even terminated employees for walking on the grass.. 2 reasons 1 is if you cannot follow a simple instruction to stay off the grass then what other instructions will a person not follow out on the road. 2 they like there grass and they view it as disrespectful again kinda Anal but it is there rules.. Good luck ..

 

Mark,

I went through TMC's Orientation/Securement/Trainer period last summer ('14), 7 weeks total... plan on that! Plus the week it took to get home it was a total of 8 weeks. You do not have an option of taking securement training or not, whether you have had experience or not. Time out with your trainer can and will vary depending on experience and aptitude.

As long as you can follow instruction and play by their rules you'll do fine, no issues. And trust me when you see that grass in Des Moines you will not want to walk on it, only admire it, simply beautiful!

Good luck and be safe.

 

What JMurphy1 said is correct. I never saw any sign any where there stating not to walk on the grass. When you test out they will assign you your truck. Right now there are four options 379,388, 579 (M/A). Depending on what truck they assign you will depend on your 120ac power source. 379 you will have to buy their 1500 watt inverter and they will install it. If you want it let the service desk know when signing off on the truck. They will put it in before you pull put. If you don't do it at that time then you will have to wait until your first service. I think the 388 is the same as the 379. Murphy should be able to tell you it looks like he has a 388. The 579 comes with a 1800 watt inverter. Now when I had a 379 I ran a coleman cooler 12vdc. and used the inverter for the microwave, coffee pot, and tv. I'm in a 579 now I have a 2.7cu mini refrigerator 120v that stays on all the time, microwave, coffee pot and tv with satellite. When you run for the week take your food. Don't buy anything on the road, to expensive. As for the cameras, You may get a truck that has one in. Most likely it was due to the previous driver. I don't see any issues with them, however I don't have one. Also when you are at a safety meeting in Des Moines they review some incidents for you to watch. Then you can understand their position. Washing the truck, you have two week to get wash from the last time it was washed. They pay. Follow their rules and you will do fine.

 

Precisely as HighwaySailor has posted. I do have a 388. I bought my 1500 watt inverter from them when I had a 379, this truck didn't have one so inverter went with me. The only thing I can tell you about cameras, as I don't have one, is that if you can prove that there is no reason to have it in they will remove, or disable it. That seems fair to me.