TMC new driver information

While I agree with your statement, I had 5 years driving before I trained, but TMC does not want you to throw chains in winter.

 

Yea, I got my book at DMV on a Monday. Looked through it a few times during the week while I was driving a truck (strait truck). Took the written test on Friday. Started driving semi truck making deliveries on Monday with my permit. Took driving test that Friday and delivering on my own on Monday. I have not been over the road till 2 years ago but only one little " bump" in a parking lot since 1991 or 92. (Can't remember) by the way I have trained probly 100 people get there class a since then. I was 18 but know my pay would double if I got my CDL. And it did.

Didn't even know there were truck driving schools until about 2000.

 

Hello all and good morning. I just so happened to stumble upon this post and found it interesting. Here is a little bit about me. My name is Kurtis, and I'm 26, got out of active duty Marine Corps in 2014, moved to Texas and became a firefighter/emt where I got my CDL B license. While I was a firefighter, I drove for a company called Martin Marietta Materials driving a concrete truck. Fast forward to now, I moved to Arkansas about a month ago and as of yesterday I got my class a permit in hand. I've been doing alot of research on companies and narrowed it down to three: TMC, ROEHL, and NAVAJO. both ROEHL and NAVAJO, gave me the run around and gave me sales pitches. TMC on the other didn't. My recruiter is Tracey Greene (who is awesome by the way) has answered every question in detail, briefed me on the VA apprenticeship program, benefits, home time, orientation, training etc. She laid it all on the table. I followed up her claims with my own research from both online and other truckers and found it all valid. I was approved for training and I start CDL training next Monday May 1, 2017. I will be posting on here as well as making YouTube videos of my journey as I go. I will tell the YouTube channel name here once I make it. Now my question to y'all is this, how is orientation? I've heard it has a similar atmosphere like being the military, is that true? What do the days general seem like? (Example. 530am wake up call to catch the shuttle at 630am to be there by 7am?) Any and all advice and experiences are welcome! Thank you in advance and safe travels!

 

Actually you will catch the 6 am shuttle. And start at 6:30. Your lead Instructor with be Mr. Harris, and you have some good instructors on that side of the lot. My advice is pay attention, ask questions and do what the instructors say, and you will be fine

 

Thank you, I was just curious as far as that goes. Do you have any insider pointers you can tell me???

 

You will do a lot of backing, driving, simulators and classroom, so you will stay busy. We provide lunch, load securement is taught by a retired Master Gunnery Sgt Marine, and he is loud, but you will learn how to secure properly. I teach at a different part of the lot, so I don't deal with your class, but if you have questions just ask

 

I'm not afraid of alot of work and as far as that instructor goes, I'm all up for that! Thank you so much for your time. I've got fairly pretty much all my questions answered and I'm looking forward to starting on Monday.

 

I will tell you this, check out our weather, it's been cold and raining a lot lately. So bring sweatshirts, a coat, and rain gear. You need steel toe shoes for load securement but bring some comfortable shoes to be on the lot with and drive in. Maybe some water proof boots.

 

The weather doesn't bother me too much, the way I see it, " if it ain't raining, we ain't training!" And ok. I have a pair of steel toe boots already so I'm good in that department. Thank you once again for your insight.

 

I think you missed Mr @spyder7723's point. It's not whether or not you throw chains, it's you knowing how to throw chains.

"But Six, they don't want us to throw chains in the winter. So what's the point?"

I've only used chains once in the winter. On asphalt. All the rest of the time, it was in good weather. If you're going to a jobsite off the asphalt, you need to know how to chain. Period.
A Game Policy says, 'If it's on the truck, know how to use it.'

Anyways, before this thread becomes a KoolAid fest or a goober contest, I will back out.

Adios.