TMC Day 1

Well I am done with my 3rd week on the road now and it was hectic for sure. We had some crazy running around even had to switch loads with someone cause it was a hot load and he was out of hours. We were 30 miles from our drop point and getting ready to sleep for the night to make morning delivery when they said to drive north to switch trailers about 100 miles or so. We did and my trainer drove then some since I was out of hours as well.

The past week was also more challenging driving, handleling some mountain passes with steep grades and runaway ramps. Driving thru part of NYC and small towns in very hilly areas. So far so good no major screw ups,,lol, I still need to refine my shifting and backing skills and this coming week I will be running things he said, I will trip plan everything and deal with everything.

Only thing I hated this week was a few time we had to run almost like a team, he drove at night while I tried to sleep in the bunk, I couldn't sleep cause of all the bouncing around, I got rested but not a full on sleep.

I am looking forward to getting my own truck and making more money as the training pay is hurting, but its better than nothing. I just hope everything goes well and I can pass the test without any problems. If I can I'll post next weekend too

 

Just a update, I am done my 5 weeks with my trainer. It was a good experience overall. I learned a lot and drove in some wicked weather too. I will goto Iowa to test out on Tuesday and get my truck , wish me luck. I am confident but not ####y that I can do it, only concerned about the 45 degree backing, I should have practiced more of that on the road. Most truck stops I found out u go for the easiest parking spot.

One thing I found out I hated it was when we ran as a team a few times I couldn't sleep in the bunk as we were going down the road, just way too bouncy for me and I didn't get rested enough, I guess thats trucking.

Hopefully I will make some money so I can get a fridge and laptop for my truck, $350 is tight and I am looking forward to making better money.

Thats all for now, I'll post more if everything goes well and I am a offical TMC employee with my own truck.

 

Well I am on my own now. Tested out on Tuesday morning and I did better than I thought I would. One guy failed his test but they retested him after lunch with a different instructor. The first guy he had was a total nut case and didn't want to be doing tests that day cause he had his own class to do. He was shouting at the guy first thing in the truck so of course that would make anyone nervous.

Anyhow Tuesday afternoon I caught a ride with another driver and trainer to Indiana to pick up my truck, didn't arrive there till 4 am. I found my truck and slept in it for a few hours. When I woke i gave it a good chech and found a few problems with it. So I spent all day there waiting for it to be fixed, didn't get done till late at night. Thursday morning I was ready for my first load, I got a load of bag sand or refactory. It went from Idiana to New York. I hit plenty of snow going up there and saw a tanker over turned on I-90. Made my stop with no problems and then found out I wasn't going to get a load home till Satuday morning, and I have to drive 185 miles north to Massena first. Got that load and now I am finally home and I deliever Monday morning which is ok since I live 2-3 hours away so I can leave early in morning.

I won't post anymore of my deliveries as I know most here know them already,lol. Just if something intresting happens. So far I like being on my own, its a challenge and i am slow but I think I will be ok and my trainer has called to make sure I am ok and said to call whenever I need help. He is a good guy for sure. Hopefully I will make some more money now as I am desperate.

A guy in my class, Grumpy1 here, emailed me and said he is quitting and so is his trainer, they are from Texas and said they were sitting a lot during his 5 weeks training, sometimes he made more than his trainer. He said Texas area sucks for work and so he is quitting as he has 2 job offers from other companies too that are local and he is home everyday.

Also been hearing other bad stuff about the compay but i will see how it goes for me personally.

I like my truck, still have a few issues with it, one of the headache rack door latches is broken again after they said they fixed it, my CB broke 1st day, it stays on channel 19 online, can't change it, so its a pain in the ### at some shippers. I still need to set my truck up inside so I can make it like home. Can anyone reccomend a fridge that will fit in the 379? I also want to get a laptop and air card, I also desperatly need get a new cell phone plan too.

Ok thats all for now, I guess I am offically a TMC employee ,, for now.