TMC,Maverick, or McElroy???

How long were you required to share a truck with a trainer? Also, did the trainer sit in the jump seat or was it more like a team during your time with the trainer?

 

When I was there fresh out of CDL school, you ran with a trainer for 6 weeks. If you took to it pretty quick, you might have been able to get your own truck in as little as 4 weeks. And the amount of time you spend in the drivers seat is really up to you and your trainer. There were several trainers back in the day that just used students for the extra money and didn't care if they got their own truck or not. Mine actually trained. He'd stand there and watch and let me know what I was doing wrong or right. He showed me how to float gears and made sure I had both hands on the wheel. Thankful for the experience and training. I got my truck a week early after hitting a deer with a 48k coil on at 1am. I didn't panic. Didn't turn the wheel. Didn't hammer the brakes. (trainer was stomping the floor and screaming S###!!! S####! S###!!) I just hit the fat B and calmly pulled to the shoulder. That was a Thursday night. Was in my own truck on Monday.

 

Good info on your beginning with TMC. Thanks for the feedback. By the way, educate an idiot, what is the fat B?

 

He was referencing the fat ##### of a deer. TMC is fully aware that things happen. For the most part, they are understanding. Don't get me wrong, there are still people here, that have zero business flatbedding, much less driving their own car to the terminal. But you will get that worth any company. Here it's all you put in. If you're not dumb, and work hard, there is a potential for a lot of money. If you're the opposite, you'll be a 27 percent paid driver your entire career here, only putting four loads or less on the ground a week, wondering where this money you were told about is. I run into guys all the time, who are quitting or on the verge of it, because get can't make over 600 a week. But as they're telling you this, you're looking at their truck they are standing outside of while it's idling, and they're probably on the clock. Driving is the easiest part, speed at securement and tarping comes with time. The real truck is learning to manage your clocks, and trip planning. Once you get that mastered, the sky is the limit. I've only been in my truck a couple of months, and am already in the top five (4), on my fleet manager board, and am currently a 31% driver, very close to maxing out at 32%. I had a very good trainer, who asked me right off the bat if I learn better by doing or seeing. I said doing, and was pointed to our tractor and told to go hook it up to our trailer, and then immediately shown how to start trip planning. But as I cannot state enough, it's 100% what you put in. No matter what your still going to have bad loads, and bad days, where things don't go as planned. But honestly I can day I am going to be here for a while. I like it, it's a good fit, and the harder you work, the more money you get. Can't beat that.

Sorry for any grammar errors, as I'm typically typing this on my phone.

 

I was the same, but between TMC and Melton. You just can't beat percentage pay. Plus the guaranteed home on the weekend if you want it.

 

@TarpWhisperer, Thanks for the info! Glad things are going well for you. By the way, used to live in Indy. Love it down on the circle this time of year.

 

Yeah, just took my wife and daughters to the lighting of the tree event this past weekend. It was super rainy, but the girls enjoyed it, and that's all that matters.

 

Yep! Did you end up with a driver facing cam in your TMC rig? I've read that they have started putting them in some trucks.

 

Nope. Apparently they're only being put in if you have too many critical event incidents. But no one in my orientation (14 guys) got one. Also apparently if you walk around naked in your truck enough and drive without clothes on, they'll take them right back out, but you didn't hear that from me.