What it's like to work for TMC?

What does "to my pocket" mean? Gross pay? Net pay? Pay after the govt gets through with you? Net pay before optional deductions like health care premiums, disability insurance, 401(K) etc.? Net pay that can be written on a deposit slip at a bank?

 

Who doesn't, unless you work for the government and/or pay union dues?

 

Speaking of sailors, is working for TMC like being in the military? Do you need a short haircut and clean shaven face each day? Do they hate you and want to get rid of you the first time complain about a load they assign you? Can loads be rejected? What is their policy about the driver being the final authority in pulling over to sleep when your eyelids are closing?

 

What is a bunk heater? What about A/C?

 

I've never worked for them, nor done flatbed but a few winters, intrastate... BUT.... iirc they ARE all family, ex marines, and the signs that say 'DO NOT WALK ON THE GRASS' mean just that. Do NOT. They WILL send you home for disobeying that 'simple sign.'

Am I right, @Chinatown ?

 

What is 'iirc?'
I actually stopped attending a church cause it was like being in the military. It was a megachurch of rich people who only cared about hobnobbing with other rich people to further their careers. If you didn't occasionally raise an eyebrow, tilt your head back, and look down your nose at someone in the middle class, you didn't fit in and were in the wrong place. Same for if your car was more than 3 years old. First question from many people I met, especially bankers who make loans and husband-hunting single females, "What kind of work do you do?" If you weren't a potential customer, spouse, or future boss, there was no 2nd question.
But I digress...

 

IIRC means If I recall correctly. I've got teenagers, and learn these things, want to or not, LoL. As I said, it's a strict company to work for, FROM what I've heard. To them (military style of course; my family was Navy) Cleanliness is next to Godliness. They WILL have you stop by one of their OC's (maybe weekly? not sure) and scrub the ef outta your truck; in and out. They may have a few hands that will do it with you or for you; not sure. Just be prepared to be regimented.

Am I right, @Chinatown ?


ps: They sure do have top notch equipment, however. Means to the mode.

 

@haulit6272 .... Prime seems to pay the most during training, as I've heard. Hiring policies are strict, but you get paid during PSD and TNT (Don't know what those stands for, but...) TNT is when you 'team' with your trainer....while being paid. They also have a flatbed division.

Nothing against TMC, whatsoever. If I were 20 and had a 'do over' I might actually roll with them. I'm not against rules and cleanliness. And I don't go to church, either. WE do ours at home.

 

I know to expect rules, but I never expected to wash a truck. How do you get paid for that if you aren't racking up miles? Who washes the trucks in OTHER companies? I've never seen the topic of having to wash, load, or unload trucks in any post on this entire forum so how can it be an issue even 1% of the time? I've only seen complaints of having to wait while someone else loads/unloads. (i.e. grocery). That's why people want 'drop and hook,' right? If they're in the cab, they want the wheels rolling, which is perfectly understandable. From what little I know about the business, I'm thinking I want nights, drop and hook, dedicated. In other words, a regular schedule with as little traffic as possible, maximizing my hourly rate. I just hope companies don't lie to suck you in, saying "Sure, we have that for you" then you quit your current job to go do it and you find out no such schedule really exits, or you're in line behind a bunch of other people based on seniority or whoever mgmt likes the most.

I haven't seen a thread that explains WHEN exactly the miles are being paid. Paid when empty or when not pulling a trailer? I guess it depends on the company, but while companies tout their pay per mile, they aren't including other such details. I guess it's the same for everyone...a by-the-mile driver gets paid for each mile driven no matter what. If this is wrong, tell me now. That could greatly affect the pay.

I've seen truck company websites that say '99% no touch.' What accounts for the other 1%? Is it heavy lifting? Do 64 year old drivers do the 1%? Trailer capacities are huge. Without a forklift and pallets, I can't imagine unloading one by myself. It would definitely be a 'I didn't sign up for this' moment and they could point to their website and say, 'Um, yes you did...1% of the time.'
I've seen one company that advertised "No touch....ever." I think it was Walmart.

 

The vast majority of TMC's driver pool works off percentage and not by the mile, those who do elect for CPM compensation are very rare. When you have a load dispatched to the Qualcomm, it will break down the run, bounce miles, loaded miles, tarping, and most importantly... revenue to the truck. Insulation loads are the absolute best to haul, high paying and lightweight adding to your MPG average.

Play the game well, and you are easily at 32%, getting any higher than that is usually done with years of service adding to your point snapshot.

TMC pays for a weekly truck wash, but you need to wash it at least once every 2 weeks to maintain the "Appearance" points on your snapshot. Not doing so can lower the percentage you run at.