Going to TMC CDL training

Sorry I can’t answer any questions about TMC, but I wouldn’t worry about the tarping. I’m not saying it’s easy but I have the same physique as you and I can handle them ok. Many shippers will even assist with getting your tarp onto the load.

 

I wonder if they have a time limit for that test? Taking your time with that stuff is important. Don’t rush yourself and don’t try to impress anyone. I don’t do much tarping but I am up on the deck a lot moving crap around and tossing chains, etc. I often get in a hurry and trip over my own feet. Then I gotta yell at myself to slow the F down. I only fell off the trailer once, trying to move a large bundle of rebar with my winch bar. It’s a good thing I’m not fat or I would still be recovering from that.

It’s a lot of work and it’s downright hazardous at times but I love it. It’s a cool feeling when you are driving down the road showing off the load that you secured yourself for all to see. Be sure to check out the flatbed forum on this site, lots of good info there and lots of regular posters who really know their stuff.

Oh and yes, I am a company man lol. I am actually in the process of switching companies, getting out of the flatbed game and into tankers (I would love to keep flatbedding but that company just wasn’t doing it for me).

 

I went through their program in March and got my CDL through them. They run a good program, and the securement portion will be the biggest challenge of your time in Des Moines.

The tarping "test" is a matter of following instructions. They have a physical therapist there when you do it and his sole purpose is to observe your actions and rate whether you will be a high risk of injury. If he rates you as high risk due to serious struggling with the tarp or not safely completing the exercise, his vote and his vote alone will send you home well before you get to see the inside of a Peterbilt.

He demonstrates everything they want you to do and how to do it, and he is very friendly and encourages questions and clarification. The actual act of moving the tarp from shoulder to trailer is simply rolling it off your body onto the deck.

1. Pick up the tarp by picking one side up so it is parallel to your body.
2. Bend down and grip the tarp as they showed you (hard to describe)
3. Hoist the tarp onto your shoulder
4. Walk the tarp over to the flatbed and transfer from your shoulder to the deck.
5. Climb on the flatbed as shown (from the rear using the DOT bumper)
6. Lift the tarp again and place onto a 40k coil, and push to the center of the coil
7. Walk around, using 3 points of contact to the other side of the coil, and drop the tarp on the deck
8. Climb down from the deck
9. Move the tarp back onto your shoulder
10. Flop the tarp down where instructed.

This is all done while the tarp is rolled tight. The rest of the tarping portion is done to show how to fold the tarp and this whole process is also given the idea that you will learn the majority of your tarping techniques when you are on the road with your trainer. I did this test while a bit heavier than you, but very out of shape having been behind an office desk for several years and living a very sedentary lifestyle.

Just bend with your knees, don't twist your body at the torso, and don't over extend your back. This is not timed.

Although, had TMC including my neck of the woods in their hiring map, I would have gone to Maverick and would probably still be skateboarding. You being in Arkansas might consider it.

 

I’m not with TMC any longer. I broke my contract early because I had an opportunity to peddle freight locally for a LTL carrier with much higher pay and substantially better benefits.

 

Thanks. TMC was great to work for, you’ll get solid training and good equipment.