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Topic 29759 | Page 1
Welcome!
I can speak a little about TMC. My brother just went solo this week after his 5 weeks on his trainers truck. He drives out of South Carolina. They are home every Friday night and head out late Sunday.
He told me that TMC is how weekends but you can stay out as long as you like.
Hope that helps!
Hey guys, I’m new here and am looking to possibly start a career as a truck driver. I don’t currently have a CDL and have done some research on multiple companies on their paid CDL training. I’ve narrowed down two companies, Maverick and TMC. My only worry as of now is with me being a new driver that’s going to be getting trained...is I have a wife who is currently pregnant and is due around August/September. I didn’t know if anyone knew how lenient either of those companies would be with having a small amount of home time once my wife gave birth. Now I’m not saying I want a month long vacation once my baby is born but just a reasonable 1 week or so. I realize that I wouldn’t be getting paid for said time off but would still like that week to spend with my wife and newborn. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers I would appreciate it! Any and all criticism accepted. Thanks!!!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hey guys, I’m new here and am looking to possibly start a career as a truck driver. I don’t currently have a CDL and have done some research on multiple companies on their paid CDL training. I’ve narrowed down two companies, Maverick and TMC. My only worry as of now is with me being a new driver that’s going to be getting trained...is I have a wife who is currently pregnant and is due around August/September. I didn’t know if anyone knew how lenient either of those companies would be with having a small amount of home time once my wife gave birth. Now I’m not saying I want a month long vacation once my baby is born but just a reasonable 1 week or so. I realize that I wouldn’t be getting paid for said time off but would still like that week to spend with my wife and newborn. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers I would appreciate it! Any and all criticism accepted. Thanks!!!!
Pretty sure Jared meant 'off' weekends, re: TMC. They have a GREAT rep, too! . . . Maverick operates similar, so I've been told. Calling recruiters is PARAMOUNT, however .. to clarify, and IN WRITING, via Email; the final 'words' of theirs! Your desire to go flatbed may help you with hometime, as Jared said about TMC .. and Maverick touts their hometime as well. Most weekends off.
Congrats on your new, upcoming arrival! My husband was OTR when we had our son; and his company was VERY accommodating; so if you get in quick(ish) and get the training behind you; this might JUST work out, in your favor, good sir!
Welcome to Trucking Truth; check out some links for starters: (Make SURE to read the 2nd one; Brett's book!)
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
And here's where to apply, and get your schooling PAID for !!! TMC will answer you QUICKLY, via this link:
Wish you the best, man!
~ Anne ~
ps: When you're ready to start studying for the PreTrip, the study guide on here, is THE BEST. Let us know when you get to that point; we will hook ya up with the links, if you've not already found them.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Yo Dylan. I left maverick 2 years ago but when I was there I had no issues getting home. My wife was due within a few months of me going solo a few years ago. I simply let them know months in advance and when it was close to that time they gave me plenty of time to be home with the family. Keep in mind though that if the truck has to sit longer than I believe 3 weeks or so you have to turn it back in. Also I was lucky in my wife was having a scheduled Csection. If your wife is having a natural birth it will be more difficult to time it so that you're home for the birth. But they will definitely work with you if you communicate and don't wait till the last minute.
Thanks CT! That was helpful and relevant information. I'm glad you had that experience. It makes it nice for Dylan to hear from someone who went through this very scenario with Maverick.
Keep in mind though that if the truck has to sit longer than I believe 3 weeks or so you have to turn it back in.
It’s two weeks. After 14 days, Maverick will send someone to get the truck.
Dylan one possibility to consider and discuss with the OB would be inducing her into labor at 39 weeks. This would help insure (unless she goes earlier) that you're home in time. Simply schedule hometime for a day or 2 prior to her induction and take a week or so off. More companies are starting to offer paternity (unpaid) leave up 6 weeks so that may be worth seeing if the company you end up with has that. As CT pointed out you're likely going to need to turn in the truck if you take a few weeks off but when you're ready to get back on the road you'll be assigned another truck.
When my wife had our youngest the OB was ok with that plan so we could have arrangements setup for our other 2 kids so I could be present. With our older 2 that OB we had refused to even schedule it until the 41st week meaning she'd be about 42 weeks before it'd be done. I'm not a doctor so I can't give advice on what you should or shouldn't do. As always listen to your doctor and instinct as everybody's situation is different.
Congrats on the upcoming little one and new career. Please stick around and keep us updated on your journey.
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Hey guys, I’m new here and am looking to possibly start a career as a truck driver. I don’t currently have a CDL and have done some research on multiple companies on their paid CDL training. I’ve narrowed down two companies, Maverick and TMC. My only worry as of now is with me being a new driver that’s going to be getting trained...is I have a wife who is currently pregnant and is due around August/September. I didn’t know if anyone knew how lenient either of those companies would be with having a small amount of home time once my wife gave birth. Now I’m not saying I want a month long vacation once my baby is born but just a reasonable 1 week or so. I realize that I wouldn’t be getting paid for said time off but would still like that week to spend with my wife and newborn. If anyone has any suggestions or pointers I would appreciate it! Any and all criticism accepted. Thanks!!!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.