It has been a while since I have been on here. I jut saw your post. Thanks for the info. I was curious as to how things are going so far? I am about to start the driving school and TMC is one of the ones I am interested in.
It has been a while since I have been on here. I jut saw your post. Thanks for the info. I was curious as to how things are going so far? I am about to start the driving school and TMC is one of the ones I am interested in.
Well Thomas, I made it to week 4 of driver training, had a friend die, told them I needed to take a week, to attend the funeral and decide if I wanted to continue as an OTR driver. Their response was, they didn't want to continue, and I could quit or they could terminate me, I asked the difference and was told that if I quit then I don't get my last check, but if they terminated me, then I would get my check but that they were putting something on my DAC report. You apparently sign something saying you will drive with them for six months, I don't recall that. I didn't go to school there I paid for it on my own so I'm not sure what the six months thing is.Last night, I happened to talk with my roommate and some other guys I was in orientation with, one of them left before I did, and went with another company and the other two are trying to make it six months so that they can leave
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Sorry I am late getting back with you. It has been busy for me the past month. So you asked for time off for a funeral and they decided they didn't want to keep you on as a driver? If that is the case then that is screwed up. I hate to hear that. I hope you have found something that has worked out better for you since then.
I started CDL school two weeks ago and I found out I am doing great. The highest GPA in my class so that helps me out on that aspect of it. We haven't put our hands on the trucks just yet but I am hoping that starts this coming week or maybe next week.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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Well guys and gal, wanted to give y'all an insight on week one. Days 1-3. The bus leaves at 7am on the dot , no sooner, no later, so if you aren't on it.....find a way home. Day one is class, paperwork, tests, and physicals and drug screens. A heads up to all the idiots out there, if you know you can't pass a drug test, don't waist your time or theirs, you will regret it. Days 2&3 more of the same, paperwork and test, with the exception of spending some time straight line backing and time in the simulator, which by the way, I hate. Oh, I forgot, 4 people got sent home day 1. One guy got a ticket for going 90 in a 60, on the way up, and in the rental car they provided him. The others were sent home for medical reasons. Day four, oh day four, we met our drill instructor for securement. This guy is serious, so if you don't think securing a load is that important...don't bother coming. Day four was securement class, learning their policies and the reasons behind them. Day 5, was range, we learned the way they prefer us to back and maneuver. Day six and seven, hands on securement. There's a lot to it, and they exceed D.O.T regs. It makes me feel great about driving for this company. This week will be all about driving. We will be on the range , road, and simulator. Then I will go home to meet my trainer for the next five weeks, and then hopefully... I will come back to Des Moines and be handed the the keys to one of these beautiful trucks. I just wanted to share my experience so far with TMC, and let everyone know, that if you're wanting to go flatbed and you're not an "idiot" this is the place to be.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.