TMC Newbie Diary

Just out of curiosity where were u guys driving around? I see TMC students around all day. I gotta tell ya that right hand turn off MLK underneath SW 9th to get into downtown DSM looks crazy. I see you guys doing it but dang that looks tight. They definitely seem like a great choice for getting you prepared for a successful career as you get a variety of traffic situations. Believe it or not I'd rather be downtown than driving Ankeny Blvd. People just seem to be in too much of a hurry up there.

Just out of curiosity where were u guys driving around? I see TMC students around all day. I gotta tell ya that right hand turn off MLK underneath SW 9th to get into downtown DSM looks crazy. I see you guys doing it but dang that looks tight. They definitely seem like a great choice for getting you prepared for a successful career as you get a variety of traffic situations. Believe it or not I'd rather be downtown than driving Ankeny Blvd. People just seem to be in too much of a hurry up there.

All over... start up in the country roads up near Bobdurant. They intentionally send us into right stuff because that's what we will be driving into when we get out of here. I drove straight down Ankeny blvd after only being behind the wheel for 10 minutes! Scary stuff... but it does give you confidence.

Just out of curiosity where were u guys driving around? I see TMC students around all day. I gotta tell ya that right hand turn off MLK underneath SW 9th to get into downtown DSM looks crazy. I see you guys doing it but dang that looks tight. They definitely seem like a great choice for getting you prepared for a successful career as you get a variety of traffic situations. Believe it or not I'd rather be downtown than driving Ankeny Blvd. People just seem to be in too much of a hurry up there.

All over... start up in the country roads up near Bobdurant. They intentionally send us into right stuff because that's what we will be driving into when we get out of here. I drove straight down Ankeny blvd after only being behind the wheel for 10 minutes! Scary stuff... but it does give you confidence.

That's a good thing that they're giving you real experience. I went to a school in the quad cities and felt that I missed out on some training dealing with some real tight turns or heavy traffic. The school was located in a rural area so I didn't get much practice with alot of traffic until 2 days before my state exam in Davenport. TMC definitely knows what their doing. If you see a PFG (performance foodservice) truck pulling a 28' trailer monday downtown, the southside or Altoona give me a little wave!

Glad to hear your training is going well thus far.

Dan, I am interested in what medications you had to get verified. I have been diagnosed with ptsd but have been taken off the meds. I was on lexipro. Also I am on a CPAP. Would you mind expanding on what types of red tape you had to go through to be approved?

Dan, I am interested in what medications you had to get verified. I have been diagnosed with ptsd but have been taken off the meds. I was on lexipro. Also I am on a CPAP. Would you mind expanding on what types of red tape you had to go through to be approved?

Sorry that it has taken so long it's been really really busy as far as what meds I am on I'm on venlafaxine prazosin and hydroxyzine and it's mostly from my PTSD got that all cleared up. As far as the rest of my training goes all this week has been driving training backing up and road tasks morning and afternoon rotating I finally getting that 45ﾟ backup and road test is really easy. I take my cdl test on Wednesday. We lost one of the 6 in my class because the dumb dumb was on the phone while he was doing that back in maneuvers on the course so they sent him home immediately. You would think that people would be smart enough not to be on the phone while training in a really big truck.

Is their drug screen UA only or hair follicle also? I'm heading there in a few weeks and if there's going to be a hair test I don't want to cut my hair beforehand

First day down. Lots of paperwork. Most of today was the DOT physical and the physical assessment. It was a lot of fun watching grown men throw our bodies up on a flatbed trailer!

Is their drug screen UA only or hair follicle also? I'm heading there in a few weeks and if there's going to be a hair test I don't want to cut my hair beforehand

First day down. Lots of paperwork. Most of today was the DOT physical and the physical assessment. It was a lot of fun watching grown men throw our bodies up on a flatbed trailer!

They don't need much hair, only an inch and a half. If you do cut your hair they can take it from other places (legs, chest, back, etc.). So unless you're doing a full body shave I wouldn't worry about it. I haven't worked from TMC, but according to an article on here "UA or hair follicle drug test" TMC shows as a urine test. Bottom line if you're clean you have nothing to worry about. Not that i believe it's the case but if you think there's any chance it'll come back positive wait until you can pass drug test before beginning this career, and stay clean.

Dan, I am interested in what medications you had to get verified. I have been diagnosed with ptsd but have been taken off the meds. I was on lexipro. Also I am on a CPAP. Would you mind expanding on what types of red tape you had to go through to be approved?

Sorry that it has taken so long it's been really really busy as far as what meds I am on I'm on venlafaxine prazosin and hydroxyzine and it's mostly from my PTSD got that all cleared up. As far as the rest of my training goes all this week has been driving training backing up and road tasks morning and afternoon rotating I finally getting that 45ﾟ backup and road test is really easy. I take my cdl test on Wednesday. We lost one of the 6 in my class because the dumb dumb was on the phone while he was doing that back in maneuvers on the course so they sent him home immediately. You would think that people would be smart enough not to be on the phone while training in a really big truck.

On his phone during training??? What a complete IDIOT!!! Doesn't have anyone to blame but himself.

On another note be safe and good luck in your new journey. Keep the phone away and the rubber side down.

I am at Crowder College in Missouri training for CFI. I will be done on April 13th.