I have tried very hard to do my homework on the subject of trucking, and TMC in particular. I am 56, having to make a complete career change. I have 10-15 years left to work, and after staying on this forum for the last month, I am now totally confused about TMC. Someone please offer me some real ADVICE. If TMC is a BAD company, who are the good ones? Before today I was sold on TMC as the 1 to go with, Now as I stated in my title I am totally confused. I want to "Truck" , I will be out of school in 2 weeks. and now have no idea as the direction to take. Please HELP an "OLD" guy out. Too late in life to make too many wrong steps...... Its tuff to be considered a "rookie" or "newbie" in anything at 50+, and I am old enough that I WILL NOT take the "short end of the stick" from any company. Please help, and as always,,, Stay Safe
Overall TMC is a great company. The only thing that stopped me from rehiring on with them was the recent change in prepass, which caused the driver more work, and headache and in my opinion gave the driver more crap to deal with on top of an already full plate. However, for someone starting out under that circumstance you will likely be fine, it isn't a change for you if you start out under that condition and are trained in it, but for guys like me we realize what a big pain it is every time we need to stop and get a comcheck, or do the company a favor by loaning them money. Overall, starting out, you won't do better than TMC. They do have their bad things about them, but honestly, who doesn't? Even 9 to 5's have their little annoyances, what it boils down to with trucking is good money, reliable equipment, and great hometime, and TMC will always have at least 2 out of 3 of those, sadly though the economy will always dictate which 2, at this point in the country you probably won't be bringing home 1200 a week like some of us are used to, however every company is struggling in that area so you can't just blame TMC either.
Give it a shot, the scenario may differ from person to person, but overall my experience with them was positive. Just don't have the 'blame the company' attitude, because you will need to learn how to play the game, give it 6 months to 1 year before you truely decide whether or not you like it, because once you learn how to "play the game" it gets a heck of alot easier.
Yes, I know it will be a rough first 6 months, but I gotta get bak in the game. Been unemployed from Honda in Alabama as Maintenance dept. Manager for 7 months. at least maybe the opportunity to make a decent living again will be available to me. My biggest thing will be the away from family thing,, but we gotta do what we must to survive.
a new guy can do far worse... honestly I enjoyed working for them much more at the same time last year. things have changed quite a bit... shorter runs, no prepass, lower rates. give them a try, stick it out a year and at least see if you can make some money and earn a week of paid vacation if nothing else. I am on track to make about 40k this year. last year I would have made 52k based on my monthly average.
CB... U drive TMC now?? Tell me more. I really do want to go with them,, but its a big trucking world out there, ya know..
They give good advice! Listen to all aspects. TMC is better than most companies that take on students without a doubt!!....Most local companies will not hire you until you have a year or 2 in as OTR (Over The Road experience) for insurance reasons unless you know somebody with a small company thats willing to take you on. TMC has the best equipment hands down then any I've seen out here for bigger companies. They are much more saftey concious than most carriers, which sometimes is good especially for newer drivers but sometimes well overboard as well. I'm in the boat with eckz on the Prepass/Ezpass(KILLS ME), but mainly because I run the NorthEast which is Toll Central and I, like eckz, knew how it was before. The quallcomm being off while driving is ridiculous also but I guess if you never had it, you wont miss it. The price of the loads are down considerably from last year but that is across the board with all companies, but you will hear from every other flatbedder out there that TMC is the biggest cutthroats, and you know what, they are right! They are the biggest and big dogs have to eat. But overall checks are down with all companies not just TMC. Overall...If you do pick TMC I don't think its a bad choice, just remember times are'nt the best for getting started in this industry no matter who you choose to start with but hopefully that means it will only get better....Good Luck on whoever you choose!
Thanks JC,,,, reallly BIG decision awaits me,,, very very soon,, jus hope I make the right one. Roll the dice,, cross my fingers,, and hope ....
On a ligher note, TMC's training is regarded highly by other companies, if you make it through orientation over there, you can get a job with alot of other OTR companys if you decide that you don't like it.
