Just Introducing Myself, (pre Cdl Newbie) And Asking For Very Specific Advice...

As I said, TMC's recruiter turned me off personally, but they are probably a fine company. I didn't say I wouldn't consider working for them, just that I didn't like the guy they sent to the school to recruit us

........

You are correct, it did have an impact on me. And I didn't explain, because what I got from it is probably all wrong, and should probably not be considered by the majority. I had researched them on my own, and considered them a good company. But he is the public face of the company.

He didn't say much at all about the training program. Listening to him, the best reason to work for them is that they have nice shiny Peterbilts that get washed often. He spent an inordinate amount of time on that, rather than what the company has to offer. Frankly, the equipment the company offers is down the list of my requirements. It would be nice to have a nice new shiny truck, but it isn't my top priority.

He also pushed the percent of load pay, and never mentioned that you can choose to be paid by the mile, until I brought it up. He quickly mentioned the employee stock program after we asked about it. He seemed perturbed we asked questions, which made me wonder. He just seemed to be a showman, rather than just presenting facts.

Then he started putting down the other companies, which is very unprofessional.

All the other recruiters simply laid out what they paid, where they ran, what openings they have, etc. Very straightforward and professional, which left a much better impression on me.

Grumpy choosing a company based purely on a recruiter’s attitude is potentially short-sighted. No idea of how TMC (Too-Much-Chrome) recruits; might be outsourced/contracted, your recruited might have been new or just plain ineffective with one foot out the proverbial door.

Beyond providing a conduit of getting into a company, their interaction with a new driver is fleeting. Keep in mind that most trucking companies have invested in their inbound recruiting efforts, which translated their website.

If I were you, I’d visit TMC’s website and exhaust every available online discovery opportunity, including sending emails to their inbox before I’d place all of my “decision eggs” in the recruiting basket.

Peace.

I had previously researched them, which is why I didn't dismiss them out of hand, and why I didn't initially say anything more than I didn't like their recruiter. He appears to be an employee.

This is the recruiter

Okay.

So here is the deal,...he focused on what is important to him. They do have nice Twucks though...!

So... many people are saying I don't have a proper perspective about all this, that I'm somehow not realizing that hard hard work will be required... that the learning curve will catch me by surprise. There's a very unique reason why that hard work has zero intimidation points on me. This isn't something I lead with ever, pretty much, but just to settle this issue, I used to be a pilot in the Air Force. Flight school (14 - 18 months) would make the toughest trucking school and first 2 years look like a tea party. There are no HR departments or feelings to be protected. There is no democracy or off time. It was both unbelievably fun, and the most difficult thing I've ever done. There were 24 people in my first class, each trying to achieve their dream career, and competing like wolves for the choicest assignments. I finished 6th. 25% of the class washed out. During my second jet, I finished 2nd out of 21. (First place already had 1000 hours in a jet.) The rest was easier, as you'd expect. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, or "tough guy signal", I'm trying to quell any challenges to whether or not I can cut it, or know what I'm getting myself into.

I have no wife, (the divorce actually happened during flight school... I wouldve done better if it hadnt) and my kid is 19. All I'm going to do is hit the road and put out the same 100% effort I did in flight school. I'm not worried, I already know what I'm capable of, against the toughest standards and competition out there. So please, stop assuming every individual fits your preconceived mold of the average rookie. Some of us might surprise you.

Someone asked about my avatar. I chose it because I've already committed to Maverick as a start to this career. Hopefully it will be the first and last company I work for.

Many sincere thanks to the many positive intentions and words out there. I'm listening to everyone like a sponge. I do realize the the best attitude to have is a humble one. I got a lot out of the suggested articles. please excuse the unimportant story above, it couldn't be helped. Happy gobble gobble day

Brazen thank you for your service and for performing a job that is incredibly dangerous.

However your past experience as a flyer? The “Truck” doesn’t care about that.

Too many times wanna-be’s think their past experiences, good or bad have direct relevance to becoming a successful and safe truck driver. Most do not temper their preconceived notions when trying to understand a totally different paradigm.

I’ve been doing this long enough to see the extent of a totally level playing field; anyone can succeed at this, and many with incredible credentials in a past life (including decorated retired military) fail. Trucking is the Greatest Equalizer.

I urge you to go into this with an open mind; focus on being humble and coachable while in school and when road training. I also suggest investing more time reading the active diaries in the Trucking Truth Diary section. They are telling and an indicator of what to expect.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving !

Brazen steps up:

I used to be a pilot in the Air Force. Flight school (14 - 18 months) would make the toughest trucking school and first 2 years look like a tea party.

I get where you're coming from: "Yeah? what else ya got?". But Over The Road truck driving is not the same as learning how to crab your landing in a crosswind. Apples compared to sandstone - not comparable. But you will have the determination to see your way through all this. As G-Town points out, you have a whole 'nother set of skills and attitudes to learn. I'm sure your USAF experience will make your journey that much easier. But it's different from the experience you already have.

The parts of this career that usually "blind-side" people have nothing to do with driving a truck. Brazen, everyone here wants to see you succeed, and of course there's no reason you can't. There are a lot of people who jump into this, figure it out, and do just fine. There are also a great many more who get extremely frustrated, can find nothing good to say about the whole industry, and run as fast as they can to get away from it.

We've had a good many former military and/or law enforcement people who got so flustered with the way their training was done that they threw in the towel before ever going solo. You may discover why they quit so quickly. Many of them found it wasn't like a "tea party," but a completely screwed up mess. I wouldn't count on your Air Force experience to help you. Just keep a great attitude and take it all in as it comes. It's certainly not rocket science, but it's got challenges that most people never even think of.

There were 24 people in my first class, each trying to achieve their dream career, and competing like wolves for the choicest assignments. I finished 6th. 25% of the class washed out.

Not saying one training is harder than another, but way too many people get into trucking with unrealistic expectations. My class had nineteen people, two of us were still with the company at the six month mark. It’s weird the things on the road that will throw people off. My wife laughs about how much I enjoy our bathroom when I’m home. She doesn’t realize that an urge of nature means pants, hazmat suit, bleach, or a flashlight on the road. The simplest things can become difficult.

My problem with you getting all your info on Maverick from YouTube vids, is I’ve actually seen a lot of the videos, even have met a couple of the guys. But did you know that of the six main people that make or made videos about Maverick, five of them no longer work there and the sixth left the driving side to instruct. So a surprising amount of their info is no longer accurate.

So... many people are saying I don't have a proper perspective about all this, that I'm somehow not realizing that hard hard work will be required... that the learning curve will catch me by surprise.

Don't take that too personally, Brazen. The experienced folks on this site are aware that a lot of potential drivers come here looking for advice and quality information. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between what a person's words are saying and what they actually mean. To avoid confusion and educate potential drivers the good folks here will make an effort to correct anything they feel might be misleading or bad information...not just for you but, for other people who read your posts. They are not mind-readers after all, and they do have your best interest in mind. You know how committed you are and that's what matters. Good luck!