TMC, Des Moines, IA

drvrtech77 · Dec 31, 2013

pattyj said: ↑

So does TMC tell the drivers in orientation about their don't walk on the grass policy?
Click to expand...

Yes they do...I worked for them before

localyokal · Dec 31, 2013

milskired said: ↑

In 2012 I made 74K on the JD specialized fleet at TMC. 2011 was about 65K. I don't think I did to bad choosing TMC. I have said it in many threads on this site and I will say it in this one, I would not hesitate to go back to TMC ever. I have even thought about quitting my union ready mix driver job to go back to them because I enjoyed that job that much more and the money is not much different. That says something about them IMO. But hey to each his own!
Click to expand...

wow JD specialized? who's feet were you rubbin in DSM?

true blue · Jan 1, 2014

Well, then, I guess my post was needed.

Appreciate the comments, gratitude and input, White Dog. Thanks.

Thanks shadowchaser1. Yes, the move is on to make drivers more like robots. Hopefully, saner heads will prevail.

Richter said: ↑

I'm not sure where you get your facts, but TMC does not get the full cost of training paid by the government. There are incentives, and help form the government, but they want you to suceed. They also don't want sub par drivers. The trainer could be nicer, but the trainers on the inexperienced side seem to do a good job. What was the experienced trainer's name?

You're right, I shouldn't have said "full payment". Just an oversight on details as I was typing. Good correction. Gotta be accurate.

That not true entirely true. The hotel is owned BY TMC and thus the hotel staff can report drivers. That being said, they are looking for drivers with a bad attitude, drivers who are drinking while in orientation, drivers who disrespect fellow drivers and staff. If you say Harold is it an idiot, it wont win you any points but I'm sure you wont get fired. There are no recording devices in the room so once you close the door day whatever you want. As for talking in the rest of the hotel, unless your seen or heard doing something unprofessional its no big deal. The public does stay in that hotel as well and you are representing TMc when you walk those halls. If I owned a companya nd you started bad mouthing me to your buddies, I'd ask why you didn't tell me the problems with my company. TMC has many ways to suggest improvements so you can be heard.

I'm all for drivers acting professionally and especially projecting a good image to the public, in particular to women and children. We are in agreement.

Rumer has it, TMC was going bankrupt and he made some hard decitions to save 1000 driver jobs of those working for TMC. He refinanced all the trucks and many just got paid off do to him trying to save the company and 1000s of jobs. Tough times call for desperate measures, but he did what he thought was best to save as many jobs as possible.

Tough times do not exonerate ripping off owner operators and small fleets who hauled your loads through the brokerage just so you can keep other employed drivers their jobs and to keep your favored company afloat. His TMC drivers could have been laid off, if necessary, so he could pay the truckers and carriers the money he owed them. Stealing from Peter and Kenny to pay Paul is still stealing.

They want you to do it their way becuase their way is really the safest. It's their load and their equipment. if you want to do it your way, then start your own company. Whenyour driving their equipment you need to follow thier rules.

I agreed with doing it their way. That's why I took the "class", which turned out to be a total waste of time for 2 days. If the "trainer" (Dave) had been doing his job, like he was supposed to, all the guys would have been much better off. And I'm very big on safety and load securement. Many of my straps have been in use for 10 years or more because I always use protection to keep them from being ripped or frayed. And, thank you, I did start my own company back in 2000 and rejuvenated it some time after I left TMC. And my way is not only the safe way but I also am very picky on who I bring on to run with my company - big difference: I treat others with respect and openness. The way I would want to be treated as a professional.

I think your trainer was probaly not the best. You also need to relise, hands on and what they do in the shed at DSm are 2 differnt things. If your argueing with your trainer then he would say your un trainible. That being said, your trainer sounds like an ###. if you had called TMC training department first to explain the situation, thye would have questioned your trainer and set you up with a new trainer. TMC tried to weed out the bad ones. but bad ones do slip through the cracks.

TMC is stricter the some companies, but Id ont think its bad. They expect you to act professional. They expect you to follow direction. They expect you to secure thier way since its their load and their liability. I dont think that is to much to ask. I trained for TMC and if someone constantly argues with my way of doing things, i would tell tmc to give hima try with another trainer and if that new trainer had trouble get rid of them. Your with the trainer to learn, weather you think you know more or not. You need to respect them.
Click to expand...

I think I clarified that. Maybe you missed it. Appreciate your input there, Mr. TMC driver. Glad you didn't have that bad of an experience.

Boilermaker1978, so glad to hear you had a real professional trainer for your time there. That really does make all the difference in the world. Good to have come out of that hard time with a bunch of friends that you can stay in touch with. That's one of the neat things about trucking - staying in touch with your truckin' buddies as you keep shifting through the gears on the road of life. You sound like you did well and learned a lot. That's the most important part. Take care, driver!

SheepDog · Jan 1, 2014

I only drove for TMC between the months of Mar and June of 2011 but, it was all great. Yep, ran like the Military in some ways but, I was in the Military at the time so, I didn't mind.

I couldn't imagine a man of your years "True Blue" to put up with a company like that. I am sure you are a guy that makes your own way and tried to do what you needed to do. Heck, I remember when my dad came off the road, for moma, took a factory job and not too long later was back in a truck.

I have nothing but respect for you sir and pray you find what you are looking for. God Bless

true blue · Jan 1, 2014

Dear Mr. Distressed (TenFortyFive). First point:
From your own words it appears that you have a hard time keeping a job and I would bet it was tough making the transition from being your....

Actually, I drove for a driver leasing company for over seven years and had a very flexible schedule driving many types of equipment for all kinds of companies - some of them long term. Good thing was, I could move around into something more attractive as it became available. And since I was experienced with so many kinds of equipment, that made me more valuable to the company and made my job more fun.

I also ran for an excellent small fleet owner (you don't have to be running 2000 trucks to be "successful") running produce, tanker, doubles and dry van. I learned an awful lot from him, and his three sons that also drove, and REALLY trained drivers the old school way (and with respect for the driver).

So, I appreciate your attempt to unearth some dirt in my past in order to make TMC and your employer look good, but I still must hold on to my opinion.
A thief is still a thief, even if he does have some loyal and good drivers. I'm not here to make TMC drives look bad. I'm sure there are plenty of good and professional drivers at TMC. And honoring your boss is fine, as long as it doesn't spill over into fabricating stories about those who think differently than you. By the way, maybe you think your wife is nagging when she gives advice (maybe you could even get some outside help and input on that), but my wife is not a nagger. We get along very well and respect each other.

Glad to hear you had a positive experience there. Wish that was the consistent story there. Take care, driver!

djtrype · Jan 1, 2014

TenFortyfive said: ↑

I am really glad to see that you started this string with, "This is just my pov." From your own words it appears that you have a hard time keeping a job and I would bet it was tough making the transition from being your own boss to having to work for a living and play by someone else's rules. So a man of the world like yourself with all those years of experience and you managed to remain with TMC for, what two, three weeks and you feel qualified to share your opinion of TMC and Mr. Annett as fact?

When the economy tanked in 2008 and you had to "Bite the bullet" and get a job so your nagging wife would get off your back. Mr. Annett was still running the very successful business that he bought in 1972. Didn't you say you started your trucking career in 1979? Hum, interesting. Mr Annett only had about a seven year headstart on you and by 2008, about 2000 trucks on the road in 48 states and Canada.

I started my driving career in 2007 by going through the very same orientation and training that you did in 2008. While your business was failing, I was covering all the miles I could in a Black and Shiny Pete, then a Kenworth taking loads to all 48 states and Canada, courtesy of Mr. Annett's fine business planning. I never missed a day of work, or a wash on my truck.

Mr. True Blue, your first paragraph or two you list all of your 34 years in the transportation business and then spend sixteen paragraphs throwing rocks at a company that you didn't even spend one month working for! You are a legend in your own mind! I hope that all that read your post can see the bitterness that you still hold for the success of TMC and your own failure to make it there.
No, you don't get fired for having a dirty truck.
I made between $45K to over $60K driving for TMC on a couple of dedicated accounts and I personally know a couple of trainers that will clear $100K in 2013.

I am sorry to hear you had such a rough time with orientation and training. Guess you were really a guy that needs to be an O/O. TMC does require that you be a team player and show some respect for the people you work with.
Best of Luck to you in 2014!
Me, I'm gonna stick with the best employee owned flatbed company in the USA. TMC!
Click to expand...

I puked twice reading this. Company loyalty is one thing, but practically taking it up the rear from the owner is a whole other thing. I hope the owner is using lube on you there.

Chinatown · Jan 1, 2014

djtrype said: ↑

I puked twice reading this. Company loyalty is one thing, but practically taking it up the rear from the owner is a whole other thing. I hope the owner is using lube on you there.
Click to expand...

Yep, and nothing lasts forever. Someday soon there will be posts on how the company used to be so wonderful until the old man retired or whatever, and now the relatives are running the show and everythings going downhill. Same story, different day. Many times when the sons or relatives take over any type of business, the first thing they do is fire the brown nosers; they never liked or respected them anyway, but couldn't do anything about it before.

dannythetrucker · Jan 1, 2014

TMC is a good company, one of the few that provides "real" training to help their drivers move up from door swingers to professionals and establish standards for excellence. I would suggest that anyone who finds their training militaristic can go to one of the van mega-carriers and find the path to mediocrity or you can step up and go for excellence.

Hamsterrock74 · Jan 1, 2014

Richter said: ↑

If you cant follow a rule about not walking on grass how do they expect you to follow their rules when securing a 48,000 pound load? They will wanr you the first time you walk on the grass.
Click to expand...

Your right,a no walking on grass policy totally equates to a properly secured load and driver who follows the rules in doing so.

KW Cajun · Jan 1, 2014

TenFortyfive said: ↑

I am really glad to see that you started this string with, "This is just my pov." From your own words it appears that you have a hard time keeping a job and I would bet it was tough making the transition from being your own boss to having to work for a living and play by someone else's rules. So a man of the world like yourself with all those years of experience and you managed to remain with TMC for, what two, three weeks and you feel qualified to share your opinion of TMC and Mr. Annett as fact?

When the economy tanked in 2008 and you had to "Bite the bullet" and get a job so your nagging wife would get off your back. Mr. Annett was still running the very successful business that he bought in 1972. Didn't you say you started your trucking career in 1979? Hum, interesting. Mr Annett only had about a seven year headstart on you and by 2008, about 2000 trucks on the road in 48 states and Canada.

I started my driving career in 2007 by going through the very same orientation and training that you did in 2008. While your business was failing, I was covering all the miles I could in a Black and Shiny Pete, then a Kenworth taking loads to all 48 states and Canada, courtesy of Mr. Annett's fine business planning. I never missed a day of work, or a wash on my truck.

Mr. True Blue, your first paragraph or two you list all of your 34 years in the transportation business and then spend sixteen paragraphs throwing rocks at a company that you didn't even spend one month working for! You are a legend in your own mind! I hope that all that read your post can see the bitterness that you still hold for the success of TMC and your own failure to make it there.
No, you don't get fired for having a dirty truck.
I made between $45K to over $60K driving for TMC on a couple of dedicated accounts and I personally know a couple of trainers that will clear $100K in 2013.

I am sorry to hear you had such a rough time with orientation and training. Guess you were really a guy that needs to be an O/O. TMC does require that you be a team player and show some respect for the people you work with.
Best of Luck to you in 2014!
Me, I'm gonna stick with the best employee owned flatbed company in the USA. TMC!
Click to expand...

Let's see... you just joined TTR not even 24 hrs after true blue posted. Coincidence?? I think not.
It reeks... pure shill or one directly involved. That is MY opinion.
It also reeks big time of you likely being tapped on the shoulder by a co-worker, with him saying "Looky here, I found a post about you on TTR from true blue, and even actually being the aaswhole trainer in question. Your post content further validates my suspicions, in an unusually large/substantial way.

true blue, outstandingly well written post. Easy to see in your words and the complete content that you're not some undisciplined renegade trucker bucking "the system". You made very valid points and I would have been curious to see, had you reported all of this at that time, to the appropriate heads, if anything would have been resolved in your favor, or if they still would have made you their sheared sheep. I wish you well.
Note that as of this writing, I am not and have not been biased one iota for or against TMC, be it DSM or elsewhere.

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

TMC, Des Moines, IA

drvrtech77 Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

localyokal Light Load Member

true blue Medium Load Member

SheepDog Road Train Member

true blue Medium Load Member

djtrype Heavy Load Member

Chinatown Road Train Member

dannythetrucker Road Train Member

Hamsterrock74 Medium Load Member

KW Cajun Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

TMC, Des Moines, IA

drvrtech77 Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

localyokal Light Load Member

true blue Medium Load Member

SheepDog Road Train Member

true blue Medium Load Member

djtrype Heavy Load Member

Chinatown Road Train Member

dannythetrucker Road Train Member

Hamsterrock74 Medium Load Member

KW Cajun Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!