starting 2012 with a bang - TMC orientation

The flatbed company I drive for sends new drivers to a physical therapy facility to take the physical agility test, tarps and all. If TMC is using a therapist to evaluate the test then they are looking at it from a therapists prospective and maybe justifying their job by pointing out stuff like they did to Dropdeck. Either way, the test should be explained and demonstated. Dropdeck could handle the tarps, just the wrong way. He should have been shown the right way with an immediate re-test, IMO. I think TMC lost out on a good driver in this case.

 

I agree with you 100% MARDet

 

Ok Milskired, since I've "claimed" you as my mentor, whats going on with this? Do I need to PM you? I'm scheduled to leave a 23+ yr career to start with TMC in march. I'm already unsure of myself, being a rookie and all. I cannot even imagine what that would feel like, to get a bus ride HOME.

 

I guess I would just take this as a lesson not to be negative but I guess make sure you lift with your legs and not your back.

 

I swear Milskired, I'm always glad to see when you've been on here. You and Dirty Jerze are my idols. At least for the next 3 months. LOL!!! I dont know what to think anymore. I know that EVERY driver for TMC is not a brilliant weight lifting stud!!! I've seen quite a few drivers at my customer locations. I personally think it would be common sense to put the tarp on the load before the forklift even sets it on the trailer, or, have the forklift set it there. I'd say every flatbed company uses tarps?? I know its not just a TMC thing to tarp loads.
The negative things I read on these threads, from various posters, I dunno. I think ALOT of it has to do with the drivers "head space and timing" being off??
What do you think??
If you cant handle the tarp at TMC, what makes you think you could handle the SAME tarp at PGT, or Maverick, or Jordan, BTC,etc......
I'm just saying...

 

I agree with the tarp handling, if you cant do it at one place you wont get it at another. Yeah some guys just like talking bad about TMC even though they have never worked here before, they are just going off of hear say from some guy who use to work here who is pissed off about something stupid.

 

Mils. where are you at? I see alot of TMC trucks rolling through western NC on I-40 and I 26. Give me a hollar, if you want, when you roll through.
Actually, not just Milskired, any TMC driver.

 

Defenatly lift with your legs. After 6 years of delivering horse feed my back would be toast if i used my back. I use the 'squat and pop' method of lifting. Squat down with your back straight, keep your head up. Looking at a high fixed object will help. Grab whatever your lifting and push your legs out straight. Next use some of the momentum of said tarp, whatever, to keep it going and get it onto your shoulder. Still looking up? Good. You dont have to be built like arnold (in his prime) to lift the tarps. Ive seen little guys lift em.

And dont listen to those guys who bad mouth tmc too much. While some may have valid points from getting screw with a bad fm, many are just running there mouths. If you follow their rules, tmc is a great company to work for. It does take a little give and take but thats life.