TMC Transportation, Inc. - Des Moines, Ia.

Wingedvisitor;

Glad to hear your husband and you are pleased with them. They look like a straight forward company who takes care of the fleet. I heard the shops are so clean you can eat off the floor. That is great....

I am CDL student to graduate soon with hopefully CDL "A" plus hazmat, tanker, double and triple endorsements. I am not sure what direction I want to go (Van or Flatbed right now) I love to be outside and get a little activity but hate the darn -30 wind chills and snow, and I have heard that those tarps can be pain in the butt, and that even with a tight tarp, you still get loads wet from blowing snow and rain when you make a stop and have to retarp and go to next stop. I have heard that some of the merchants will tell you to take the load back Example: Steel gets wet and rusts in a matter of hours. There is not much you can do when you’re running in the rain and you have to make a drop in it, and then go to next delivery point??

Anyway, thanks for the info. I am from Just outside of Omaha area and am looking at all options. I guess they are hiring in my area.

If I do come up that way with TMC, I look forward to speaking to your husband about it all.

God Bless and take care!

 

i'm sure he'd be happy to answer what he can, via the site, via me....lol

yeah, the tarps can be alot of work, but he hasnt had any problems o far really, other than on a load of plywood that had a bad tarp, but the shipper knew about it and signed off on it.

my husband worked reefer beforehand, and likes the flatbed better in some ways because it is more work, lol, gets him off his butt.

it depends entirely on what you prefer to do. anyway you decide to go, i wish you luck.

 

Let me give you some general info about myself. I'm 23, I started driving locally when I was 20 and when I turned 21 I became an O/O. I filled out an application with TMC a few weeks back. After about a week of filling out my application, I called them since I didn't get a return call. I was speaking with a recruiter and asked about the status of my app. He flat out said to me, "Yeah, we reviewed your application and I'm sorry to say you don't nearly have enough experience for us. We only hire the best of the best and you aren't it." Now, I had my license suspended when I was 17, that's more than 5 years ago, so that shouldn't hold me up. No felonies, DUI's, NOTHING! I've been pulling a flatbed since I bought my own truck. I applied to 5 different companies and all of them accepted me except TMC. Now, it's just a matter of me deciding who I want to drive for. But, that recruiter left a bad taste in my mouth about TMC. Sure, they have nice equipment and all that, but how I get treated is way more important than driving a Pete. A Volvo or Freightliner makes the same amount of money. So in my opinion, TMC can kiss my ###.

 

any news from tmc was down in north carolina today talked to a tmc driver said they were in trouble financially,he said he talked to fleet manager didnt know much was just scuttlebutt between drivers or what?

 

i dont think it was your acccident that messed you up, my husband also had an accident when he was younger (16) most likely, the reason you were't hired is because of the competition. with so many companies laying drivers off, especialy the higher paid ones, there is an influx of very qulified drivers out there. so, even with a spotless record, it may be difficult to get a position.

I'm glad to here that you were able to find a job with another company though, everyone needs work, and wee should all be grateul when we find it nowadays.

 

Yes, I too am glad you landed on your feet...

The more I read about TMC and in reviewing the practices they employ and well as the dedication they have and require of drivers... It just sounds like a great company all the way around!

They sound like they know where they want to go with their crew and are just looking to get the crew they desire hooked up and fully aware of the requirements and expectations they have.

For me, this sounds like a first rate company that is giving you the chance to be more then just a driver or go to a job. They want you to look at what they offer (1st class trucks, training, maintenance and home time as well as potential advancement) as part of the package. I realize I am not a seasoned vet driver, but I have worked in the corporate world and these things that TMC are offering appear to me as perks and should be appreciated.

The comment about them having a somewhat military mentality is nothing that bothers me either since my father was a Marine and I grew up with the get it done attitude!

Anyway, the hunt is just beginning and I am intending to do my part no matter whom I work for, but I am looking for that one company I can hang my hat with.

God Bless

 

Just be careful. With the rapid influx of drivers they're getting rid of people for the stupidest reasons. I was with them nearly 3 years and after 2 months on the dedicated account i was 'lucky' enough to snag they fired me and refused to give me a good reason.

Told me to re-apply. I believe it had something to do with money that they owed to me from trainee's that were getting ready to get their safe 6 months in, etc. I still have yet to be given a good reason for my termination.

Oh well, other than the fact that i feel utterly betrayed by them they always took good care of me. Times are just tough all the way around right now. A few years ago you could cut a few corners here and there, but since their retention is so low they're using it as an 'opportunity' to get newer / "better" drivers. Or, lesser paid ones, however you decide to look at it.

 

Just curious if you were trying to be a O/O with TMC? I understand they might be a little pickier with their O/Os then a company driver.

 

Re-apply, then hire a lawyer to investigate a wrongfull termination suit against them. The fact that they rehired you would be hard to explain in court and if they fired you again for filing a suit it could be a jackpot in your favor. Might teach them a lesson too.

 

There were about 40 trucks routed into Des Moines today, apparently today was a VERY small freight day. It gave us an opportunity to get our truck in the shop though and get some problems fixed assuming the mechanics can actually replace an alternator and steering box. The past 9 days we have run a little over 3000 miles, but today there just wasn't anything to be had. Hopefully our truck is ready to leave the shop in the morning and hopefully there are loads on the board.

As for the TMC bashing, from my very limited experience with TMC (about a month of orientation and training) there are some real issues at Des Moines. I love the job, but TMC makes it very well known that drivers are at best expendable. Husker Rage I suggest you get more of your "facts" from real world experience than company websites. I'm really hoping that I'm missreading TMC to this point because I really do enjoy the actual job itself and I'm a good driver with experience hauling weight in precarious situations. I can say for certain there are some real #######es working in Des Moines, but you are going to find that pretty much anywhere, all you can do is hope for a low ratio. I've got my fingers crossed but my BS meter has been pegged for a few weeks now.

And just for consideration to any other TMC drivers here, is it just me or would a couple more wash racks be a welcome addition? Trucks were stacked 11 deep today waiting for a wash that takes a half hour. The truck looked great afterwards though, they definitely give you a half hours worth of wash.