Profile For Cody B.

Hi guys, new here and on a phone so excuse my formatting. I recently applied to a few companies for pre hire ( TMC' Maverick, Roehl and Prime) and discovered they now offer their own cdl program. The recruiter said it was 3 weeks for the cdl then on to full employment or orientation. She also said its 300 to start, 150 down and the other half for fees. They pay transportation to their des Moines HQ as well as meals and lodging. She also stated I would be home on weekend's (I live near Chattanooga, Tn).

Anybody know more about this? Also I'm concerned about the 3 week program, seems short. Also how realistic is the home on weekends pitch? Seems to be a selling point for Maverick and Tmc

I use to drive for TMC they are a solid company great equipment, great fleet managers and good home time for OTR drivers. As long as you are willing to work you can't ask much more from a trucking company, Chattanogna is a great area for them so yes you will be home just about every weekend, just remember stuff happens and once in a while you might end up in a situation where you won't make it home, the 3 week training will be for your CDL, then you will go with a trainer for another 5 weeks so you will get at least 8 weeks of training which will be plenty and if you don't feel comfortable you could always ask for more time training.

After a great deal of exploration I've finally decided to do the smart thing and ask somebody... so here I am.

I'm looking for a decent school in Virginia to get my CDL, but probably just as important is one that would meet the requirements of a company like TMC. I haven't filled out their app yet and I understand that they guide you once you do but I'm curious if there is anyone here who went through the process of getting training in Virginia and then went on to TMC or another similar flatbed company?

Any guidance would be helpful as it seems that the schools near me are perhaps not of the quality I'm looking for, especially for the money! I'm not sure about them since what I've seen of them is pretty lame.

Any thoughts about good schools in VA?

Thanks Everyone...

tony

Where about in VA? I went to CDS there is one in Thornburg and one in Roanoke

And on the bright side, except for the 27 cpm (I know I'm a rookie) I'm on a pretty good gig, if this doesn't pan out.

I would definitely look more into the local gig, simple math more money and more home time to see your family, I recently switched to local and don't regret it one bit. That pay bump will make life way easier for you, but you should definitely call them and see what kind of miles they offer cause 44 cpm is good but not if your doing 1000 or less miles a week. If you're really looking for local work look into dump trailers/trucks, food distribution, pickup and delivery and those things.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's helping a lot. I'll be moving to Aldie, VA here in the next month or so (currently in Herndon VA in a hotel); wouldn't mind doing dirty work as a dump/water truck driver for a while if push comes to shove. Committing to OTR for 1 year may be something I'll have to sit down and think about also, but there're a lot of goals that I have outside of the workplace that I wouldn't be able to work on during that time, which is the main reason why I would prefer not to (finishing up my degree and working on music are the main ones). I understand the risks of going straight into local driving but it seems like the best option. Anyone know how things are over here in Virginialand?

I actually just got a local job in Virginia around fredricksburg hauling dump trailers. It's just like a dump truck just bigger. There are a lot of local opportunities in my area of Virginia being so close to baltimore or DC, what area are you in and I'll give you a better idea

Kind of a bummer Swift has pulled all APU's out of their company trucks. I guess from what service shop said its causing a lot of fires in the trucks. Only way to get APU in the truck is if you have medical condition ala sleep apnea. With Idle Control and no APU's its really making summer a bummer. Couple drivers showed me some tricks to get around the Idle Control but I wish it wouldn't come to that. One of the reasons I have been considering going lease/op.

Worst comes to worse when your parked just set the cruise and bump up the rpms to avoid idle control, no company wants to leave their drivers stuck in 100 degrees trucks to save a few bucks. And if idling is a big concern i would switch companies befor I jumped into lease op. My .02

WERNER We Employ Rednecks No Experience Required WERNER We Enlist Rookies No Experience Required

YBGID Yes By God I Did

That's all I know rite off hand

SWIFT- Stevie Wonder Institute For Truckers

I feel like I'm not doing that great, but I'm kind of at the mercy of my appointments. Mostly set times with not much wiggle room to be early. Usually only can be 1 hour early.

1800-2300 miles a week could be good or kinda lowsy depending on how many loads your getting in that week, for instance I load and and unload 5 times a week and am home on the weekend pulling a flatbed and I usually don't do more than 2200 miles in a week, so it all depends on the lots of different variables that are different from each company one being location and another being the type of frieght you haul and your dispatcher, if it's a reoccurring problem I'd just do what Brett suggested and talk with your fleet manager professional and let them know your issue with low miles and that you would prefer longer runs.

Larry, I'm glad you posted this and got some feedback , I also posted this same question about a week ago I guess it went unnoticed since I only got 1 response If I have my way I'll be the old man in the class at age 57 I plan on applying to TMC after graduating from school Flat-bedding attracted me because of the physical part and the physics involved in securing the load Good luck in your quest and hope to meet you there

TMC looks like one of the best. I'm in central Missouri so it would be perfect for me. I would love to keep in touch with you and hear about your experience

That's a great area for TMC they have a lot of freight in that em area you could easily be home on the weekends, and make good money as well. Any questions you have feel free to ask

I currently drive for TMC so if you wanna ask me anything specific feel free to ask

I sent you a private message. But what kind of truck did you get assigned to?

It all depends what's in the appearance bay the day test out I requested a 379 13 speed and got that, they are phasing them out and going to the 579 within the next year or so there will be only 579. 579 being the newer model peterbilt with a 9 speed transmission and more aerodynamic look to it verses the old school square Pete 379. All of their trucks are top of the line and taking extremely good care of and washed quite frequently lol

What are the best companies that offer Midwest Regional driving jobs ?

Take a look at TMC

Well I have a little over three years until I can retire from this job and finally pursue my trucking dream. I first got the bug in 2007 :) I have recently been considering Flatbed. TMC in particular because their terminal is not far from me and it would be possible to go home every weekend if I wanted to.

I will be 51 years old. I have pretty good upper body strength, but will need to do a little work on getting in shape. I heard their orientation is tough though, anyone have any experience getting into flatbedding later in life, or would I be "the old guy" in with a bunch of young bucks?

TMC orientation is pretty tough they weed people out in he first 2 days, when I went through we had a couple guys your age one made it through and quit on his own will, but if you can pick up the tarp and don't have any major health issues you will be just fine, just fill out an application and hope for the best. If you got any questions feel free to ask I currently drive for TMC

What is everyone's opinion between the two. I like them both but am having a hard time deciding between the two. Any thoughts, pros, cons about either? Would prefer actual facts, not just rumors.

I know I have been asking a lot of questions but I am just trying to get everything lined up for when I do make the career change to trucking.

I currently drive for TMC so if you wanna ask me anything specific feel free to ask

I have a little over 2k miles, I'm ready to get with a mentor and start working. I'm down to Werner, Prime or TMC. I like Prime and I heard they pay more in orientation, 10cpm more than Werner, and their mentorship is much longer, although I think it could be beneficial to learn more. Werner is ready to hire me this week. I also like TMC but they are flatbed only, they got some nice Peterbilts too. How bad is tarping? also is there plenty of work for a flatbed driver? I'm 21 years old and I'm in good physical shape, I'm trying to go OTR for a year, then get a regional job down south near the Florida panhandle to be with my daughter, once I have some experience under me, any opinions or advice for a new guy? Thanks!

I drive for TMC so if you got any questions I could help you out.

Old school should be someone you want to talk to he worked for them for quite sometime start a thread reaching out to him and he will give you lots of great information.

I am just getting back into trucking after 12 years and I am so nervous about all these no idle laws. How can I cool or warm my cab when I need to? What if I want to bring my dog with me and it's 90+ degrees outside? Does anyone have ideas for me? I really appreciate the help. Thank you

I idle just about everywhere I go and I haven't gotten a ticket yet *knock on wood* I was worried about that at first but DOT and local pd don't seem to bother with it especially in the summer time I'm sure they're aware that it's hot and don't bother us drivers, if your really worried a lot of companies have apu's installed in their trucks so idling is no worry. But I wouldn't worry to much about it

I am looking for advice on which flatbed company would be best. Western Express and TMC look like good companies.

Thanks

I drive for TMC what would you like to know?

Is it difficult to get into TMC's orientation? I have just completed CDL school in California.

We don't hire out of California, but you could always contact recruiting depending on if you want home time or not they may work with you but our hiring map as of right now does not cover California

I am looking for advice on which flatbed company would be best. Western Express and TMC look like good companies.

Thanks

I drive for TMC what would you like to know?

Seems to always be different no matter what just depends on where you are and what kind of freight you are hauling I also pull a flatbed and my first few weeks I was in and out of places in no more than 2 mores a lot of times less than that, then today I picked up some coils and was there 6 hours and 4 of those hours was just waiting to back in to get loaded, from my very short month of experience I would say there is no average typical day everyday is usually different and since most of the time we deal with people live loading and unloading it just depends on them a lot too how they like to work and if they have pride in their work or if they just wanna sit around and punch a time card and could careless about anything just the name of the game but waiting at the shipper or a consignee isn't a big deal cause if you work for a good company they will keep your wheels turning day or night. That's just my .02

Yesterday was my last day training and I tested out passed and got my nice shiny black Peterbilt. Been a long few months but I'm glad it's over. Had fun chaining and tarping a load by myself only took 2 hours 😂😂 haha I'm sure folks like old school know thats a pretty long time especially on a smaller load lol. But it feels good to be out here solo. If I can do it anybody can best of luck to you all. I'll be checking in with the flatbed variety a little more when I get into a better rhythm

What is their agility test like? I'm a small guy and not sure I'll be able to lift the tarps

You'll be fine hey aren't as heavy as it seems, it's like lifting anything else you just need the proper technique. And they will show you the technique