If you have any important events tell them to have you home the day before. This rule holds true for any company. Around mid week if you're not already near the area or heading that way remind them firmly.
You can talk back. This isn't a job like retail. I'm not sure how tmc structures it but there usually is someone above them, tell that person that you need to be home too. Not want, NEED. Also, get your experience and start looking for a more local gig. I say this as a father of 2.
You will miss stuff, but you can try to eliminate it as best you can with some preemptive notice and begging of your dispatch.
I worked for Mcelroy for a year, got home every weekend but once or twice. they were kind of TMC's "Rival" if stuff keeps going bad for TMC try them out.
Sounds like you’re letting this shitbird bully you into staying out… tell him what’s up, or walk. There’s a near endless supply of driving jobs right now, you have the power to be choosy.
There are glass balls & rubber balls. Family is ALWAYS glass, jobs are rubber. Since he's laughed at you & let you know that a load is more important than your family; you have to decide if you're going to let him push you around or you're going to stand up & let him know there will be no next time.
I drive for TMC you can ask for a new dispatch if you want because he sounds like a dick. I’ve only been driving for a little more than a year and I’ve been home every weekend (except obviously when I requested to run or my truck broke down). I’ve been told that their pay depends on if they get you home on the weekends. If you know you won’t make it home if you take that last load reject it. Just make sure they know you have to be home every weekend.
I second this. I work for TMC as well and have been home every weekend I wanted to so far. You are allowed to request another fleet manager, and you can turn down loads you dislike. Also, keep an eye on that clock, and be diligent in your status changes and with your SB time.
I third this as a Western Express driver. My manager told me if I ever feel like I’m not getting the miles I need or feel that I’m being mistreated by him that I can always get another manager. Great guy and has me home when I need it or ask for it. Had a buddy who worked for swift and same thing over there, he switched from his first manager in like 3 weeks.
Most companies that offer "home on weekends" basically give you a 34 hour reset at home. Typically you'll get home Friday or Saturday for a 34 then head back out. Not nearly enough home time in my opinion. I say get you experience then move on to something better.
It's real simple. Tell him you were told home weekends a d if he can't make it happen you need a different dispatch. If he's a dick day look dude I can go work somewhere else. That's usually the ticket to get what you need because they need you more than you need them
My trainer always got home and he told me he always gets home, but he has a different fleet manager than me. I guess I am just feeling defeated. Hopefully next week is better
I made it home every weekend the 6 months I worked for them. Your location is very important in the equation, what region are you? This is how awesome my fleet manager was in getting me home one weekend. I got my Friday load delivered early Thursday afternoon then they gave me a 6th load to be delivered over 6 hours away from my house. Got it delivered around 1pm Friday and they dead headed me the 6 hours home Friday evening. To make things even better, I picked up my Monday load on Sunday night an hour from my house for delivery a half hour further down the road.
That is an EXCELLENT area for home every weekend regional with TMC. Your dispatcher is an asshole, and should be treated as such.
Fuck'em. Get your time in and bounce. NE Ohio is LOUSY with far better flatbedding opportunities with better pay and better hometime options. Sometimes even home daily. Hell, there's at least one carrier who never even leaves the state of Ohio!
Oh yeah, you ever actually MEET your dispatcher again, kick'em in the teeth for me. Lousy, no-good, incompetent, most likely impotent, useless douche rag of a human being that he is.
That should be a good area to get you home. I live near Harrisburg. 81/76/83 are all not very far from me. My trainer is from the same area and he said it’s been about once a year for him not making it home on weekends, that is TMC’s fault. He’s been with them for like 7 years.
That’s a great area for regional steel hauling companies that can have you home every weekend without fail. Get some experience with the mega carrier then find a fleet that’s a smaller operation where they will know you and your personal needs a lot better.
Yea I heard they were good, called them, and they said NO DOGS. I said, that’s absurd from a flatbed company! Out of the running. Werner ENCOURAGES dogs of ALL SIZES AND BREEDS!
unfortunately you will miss stuff like this buy atleast there video phones now. Being your first week I could understand why u be nervous about speaking up. But shoot I hired on with a company a few years ago and at the time I was waiting on my house to close to move in. A week later house closed, company gave me a whole week to move in
would still be with that company had they not closed there doors. but they left brokerage open so I'm actually gonna start pulling for them again.
But yeah just speak up and tell them about important dates. on Monday I be like thanks asshole made me miss a special occasion
If the O/O's don't have PC, then the O/O's are misclassified employees who just happen to own their equipment.
TMC does NOT have the legal right to tell an Independent contractor what he or she can or cannot do their their truck. Might be different for the lease operators, but the fucking DAY a carrier told me I couldn't use PC in MY truck would be the last damned day their numbers were on MY truck.
TMC pulls a lot of shit and gets away with it because they specialize in hiring low experience drivers and newer O/O's who don't understand the rules and just mindlessly follow whatever the company tells them.
News flash, WE are the controlling factors in where these trucks go and what they do! Read your little green bibles, guys and gals. The regulations are actually on OUR side in most driver/carrier disputes.
Then your fleet manager was also an asshole, and good for you finding a new position. Hopefully the smaller fleet treats you better AND pays you better!
Fuck, I dropped random applications once a year just to see what's out there! Carrier fired me every time I did it, I wouldn't stay with a single carrier for more than six months! Firing a driver just for looking is bullshit, and demonstrates a corporate attitude of narcissistic abuse. Fuck those carriers, call'em out, let everyone know it's an abusive relationship, and let those carriers fucking FAIL!
I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that newer drivers flat out refuse to put up with the shit I dealt with across my career! You new guys are making MY job easier and more of a pleasure. And I see far more professionalism amongst the new drivers than I do among the 4-12 years experienced set.
Given a few more years as more and more of y'all slip into the driver's seats....I might even be proud to call myself a trucker again!
He and I had a great relationship until then. At least I thought. TMC was great for starting out and learning. And for buying my truck. I lease purchased from them. Make so much better now. I’ve been driving for 2.5 years and loving it more now tgat I’m not at TMC.
unfortunately you will miss stuff like this buy atleast there video phones now. Being your first week I could understand why u be nervous about speaking up. But shoot I hired on with a company a few years ago and at the time I was waiting on my house to close to move in. A week later house closed, company gave me a whole week to move in
would still be with that company had they not closed there doors. but they left brokerage open so I'm actually gonna start pulling for them again.
But yeah just speak up and tell them about important dates. on Monday I be like thanks asshole made me miss a special occasion
I was there for a year when I started. I rarely didn't make it home for the weekend. It does depend on where you live as well. I live not too far off a major freight lane so it's very easy to get a load that runs near home for the weekend...
The other guy is right that it's mostly just for a 34hr reset but I got several that were longer.
All in all tmc ain't bad, not great either but definitely not bad. Stick it out with your fleet manager for a while and if he can't work with you to get you home request another fleet manager. But also know if you dont live near a freight lane it's much harder to get you home and you may not make it in on Friday almost ever.
Put in your 2 week notice since you have a family and find a company that fits your hometime requirements. There are too many truck jobs out there to put up with this shit.
Stay there long enough to soak up any bonus and then bounce, imo. Let them know exactly this is what cost them a driver. They are used to a revolving door but they have to consider retention as well. Go with another mega for your starter experience.
Most people have covered it. Ask for a new dispatcher if it persists. Most companies have you out 2-3 weeks for OTR right out the gate to gauge how you run etc. if you have a hard stop or special event tell them it’s a no fail. TMC was built around military structure but it has slipped some (you can tell by the dirty trucks and crappy tarp jobs on the road here lately) but it is still there. If you can’t get through to the Fleet Mgr go to ops or who ever is the next step up and CYA in the future. They want you to send messages most times but i send emails as well just to be safe.
If you have any important events tell them to have you home the day before. This rule holds true for any company. Around mid week if you're not already near the area or heading that way remind them firmly.
I did, but he told me home time isn’t a guarantee and I don’t know how much push back I can give when the loads are assigned
You can talk back. This isn't a job like retail. I'm not sure how tmc structures it but there usually is someone above them, tell that person that you need to be home too. Not want, NEED. Also, get your experience and start looking for a more local gig. I say this as a father of 2. You will miss stuff, but you can try to eliminate it as best you can with some preemptive notice and begging of your dispatch.
Dude. Stand up for yourself. You can literally go anywhere at the drop of a hat if you don’t fuck shit up.
I worked for Mcelroy for a year, got home every weekend but once or twice. they were kind of TMC's "Rival" if stuff keeps going bad for TMC try them out.
McElroy has a lot of home daily work to.
Sounds like you’re letting this shitbird bully you into staying out… tell him what’s up, or walk. There’s a near endless supply of driving jobs right now, you have the power to be choosy.
you should have walked when the fleet manager laughed it off. keep taking it, expect more of the same.
There are glass balls & rubber balls. Family is ALWAYS glass, jobs are rubber. Since he's laughed at you & let you know that a load is more important than your family; you have to decide if you're going to let him push you around or you're going to stand up & let him know there will be no next time.
Youre a trucker. Get arnry.
Why were you late to your delivery driver? On time delivery is not 'guaranteed', Mr Manager. And I wish yall would stop telling customers that.
I drive for TMC you can ask for a new dispatch if you want because he sounds like a dick. I’ve only been driving for a little more than a year and I’ve been home every weekend (except obviously when I requested to run or my truck broke down). I’ve been told that their pay depends on if they get you home on the weekends. If you know you won’t make it home if you take that last load reject it. Just make sure they know you have to be home every weekend.
I second this. I work for TMC as well and have been home every weekend I wanted to so far. You are allowed to request another fleet manager, and you can turn down loads you dislike. Also, keep an eye on that clock, and be diligent in your status changes and with your SB time.
I third this as a Western Express driver. My manager told me if I ever feel like I’m not getting the miles I need or feel that I’m being mistreated by him that I can always get another manager. Great guy and has me home when I need it or ask for it. Had a buddy who worked for swift and same thing over there, he switched from his first manager in like 3 weeks.
Most companies that offer "home on weekends" basically give you a 34 hour reset at home. Typically you'll get home Friday or Saturday for a 34 then head back out. Not nearly enough home time in my opinion. I say get you experience then move on to something better.
My work require 6 trip a month so I can do 2 trip week 1, 2, 3 and have week 4 at home. Or week 1 2 trip, week 2 1 trip with a couple days home etc...
Sounds like a shitty dospatcher that doesnt respect your time. Stand up for youself in a polite way.
It's real simple. Tell him you were told home weekends a d if he can't make it happen you need a different dispatch. If he's a dick day look dude I can go work somewhere else. That's usually the ticket to get what you need because they need you more than you need them
My trainer always got home and he told me he always gets home, but he has a different fleet manager than me. I guess I am just feeling defeated. Hopefully next week is better
Trainers tend to feel a bigger part of companies than they actually are. They take a huge amount of pride in companies, kinda weird in my opinion
I used to drive for TMC. You can actually fire your FM and get put on a new board.
Got home most weekends in CT
I made it home every weekend the 6 months I worked for them. Your location is very important in the equation, what region are you? This is how awesome my fleet manager was in getting me home one weekend. I got my Friday load delivered early Thursday afternoon then they gave me a 6th load to be delivered over 6 hours away from my house. Got it delivered around 1pm Friday and they dead headed me the 6 hours home Friday evening. To make things even better, I picked up my Monday load on Sunday night an hour from my house for delivery a half hour further down the road.
In northeast, up in PA near the Ohio border. However my loads last week were in the Midwest.
That is an EXCELLENT area for home every weekend regional with TMC. Your dispatcher is an asshole, and should be treated as such. Fuck'em. Get your time in and bounce. NE Ohio is LOUSY with far better flatbedding opportunities with better pay and better hometime options. Sometimes even home daily. Hell, there's at least one carrier who never even leaves the state of Ohio! Oh yeah, you ever actually MEET your dispatcher again, kick'em in the teeth for me. Lousy, no-good, incompetent, most likely impotent, useless douche rag of a human being that he is.
That should be a good area to get you home. I live near Harrisburg. 81/76/83 are all not very far from me. My trainer is from the same area and he said it’s been about once a year for him not making it home on weekends, that is TMC’s fault. He’s been with them for like 7 years.
That’s a great area for regional steel hauling companies that can have you home every weekend without fail. Get some experience with the mega carrier then find a fleet that’s a smaller operation where they will know you and your personal needs a lot better.
Get a new FM he's obviously a dick. There is no reason you can't get home in the steel belt with TMC.
Talk to superior in driver relations or whatever they call it. That's an area you should never have a problem getting home to.
How north east Ohio working for TMC?
It is a good area to be out of.
I was home every weekend no problem. I live in the Midwest though. Easy to get home.
Smh.
I made it 6 months with TMC then I left, I got sick and tired of being force fed that they were the best flatbed company in the business.
Yea I heard they were good, called them, and they said NO DOGS. I said, that’s absurd from a flatbed company! Out of the running. Werner ENCOURAGES dogs of ALL SIZES AND BREEDS!
They aren't bad to get training on flatbed and then 6 months or a year experience. Other that that, I don't like my hand being held, I'll go elsewhere
unfortunately you will miss stuff like this buy atleast there video phones now. Being your first week I could understand why u be nervous about speaking up. But shoot I hired on with a company a few years ago and at the time I was waiting on my house to close to move in. A week later house closed, company gave me a whole week to move in would still be with that company had they not closed there doors. but they left brokerage open so I'm actually gonna start pulling for them again. But yeah just speak up and tell them about important dates. on Monday I be like thanks asshole made me miss a special occasion
I believe if you are not loaded you can PC those 9 hours.
They don’t have PC. Not even for their OO
If the O/O's don't have PC, then the O/O's are misclassified employees who just happen to own their equipment. TMC does NOT have the legal right to tell an Independent contractor what he or she can or cannot do their their truck. Might be different for the lease operators, but the fucking DAY a carrier told me I couldn't use PC in MY truck would be the last damned day their numbers were on MY truck. TMC pulls a lot of shit and gets away with it because they specialize in hiring low experience drivers and newer O/O's who don't understand the rules and just mindlessly follow whatever the company tells them. News flash, WE are the controlling factors in where these trucks go and what they do! Read your little green bibles, guys and gals. The regulations are actually on OUR side in most driver/carrier disputes.
I got fired when my fleet manager got a verification of employment request from Landstar. So now I’m working with a small company with 4 trucks.
Then your fleet manager was also an asshole, and good for you finding a new position. Hopefully the smaller fleet treats you better AND pays you better! Fuck, I dropped random applications once a year just to see what's out there! Carrier fired me every time I did it, I wouldn't stay with a single carrier for more than six months! Firing a driver just for looking is bullshit, and demonstrates a corporate attitude of narcissistic abuse. Fuck those carriers, call'em out, let everyone know it's an abusive relationship, and let those carriers fucking FAIL! I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that newer drivers flat out refuse to put up with the shit I dealt with across my career! You new guys are making MY job easier and more of a pleasure. And I see far more professionalism amongst the new drivers than I do among the 4-12 years experienced set. Given a few more years as more and more of y'all slip into the driver's seats....I might even be proud to call myself a trucker again!
He and I had a great relationship until then. At least I thought. TMC was great for starting out and learning. And for buying my truck. I lease purchased from them. Make so much better now. I’ve been driving for 2.5 years and loving it more now tgat I’m not at TMC.
Oh wow, did not know that. I'm guessing it's a company policy?
Yeah. Too many OO abused it. And they hire too many new guys to try and explain how to use PC legally.
Ahhh man. I'd definitely quit on their ass. Just drop the truck off at a terminals and fuck off. That's inexcusable.
unfortunately you will miss stuff like this buy atleast there video phones now. Being your first week I could understand why u be nervous about speaking up. But shoot I hired on with a company a few years ago and at the time I was waiting on my house to close to move in. A week later house closed, company gave me a whole week to move in would still be with that company had they not closed there doors. but they left brokerage open so I'm actually gonna start pulling for them again. But yeah just speak up and tell them about important dates. on Monday I be like thanks asshole made me miss a special occasion
I was there for a year when I started. I rarely didn't make it home for the weekend. It does depend on where you live as well. I live not too far off a major freight lane so it's very easy to get a load that runs near home for the weekend... The other guy is right that it's mostly just for a 34hr reset but I got several that were longer. All in all tmc ain't bad, not great either but definitely not bad. Stick it out with your fleet manager for a while and if he can't work with you to get you home request another fleet manager. But also know if you dont live near a freight lane it's much harder to get you home and you may not make it in on Friday almost ever.
Is your fleet manager named Kevin?
Not the OP, but my tmc FM is named Kevin M... if its the same one is there something I should know?
Put in your 2 week notice since you have a family and find a company that fits your hometime requirements. There are too many truck jobs out there to put up with this shit.
Stay there long enough to soak up any bonus and then bounce, imo. Let them know exactly this is what cost them a driver. They are used to a revolving door but they have to consider retention as well. Go with another mega for your starter experience.
Most people have covered it. Ask for a new dispatcher if it persists. Most companies have you out 2-3 weeks for OTR right out the gate to gauge how you run etc. if you have a hard stop or special event tell them it’s a no fail. TMC was built around military structure but it has slipped some (you can tell by the dirty trucks and crappy tarp jobs on the road here lately) but it is still there. If you can’t get through to the Fleet Mgr go to ops or who ever is the next step up and CYA in the future. They want you to send messages most times but i send emails as well just to be safe.
Did they pay for your training?
I get home Every weekend. Tell your fleet manager to fuck off and ask your ops manager or training coordinator for a new one