Profile For Ray C.

Actually at TMC you will make a choice between mileage or percentage pay. From my conversations with TMC drivers, the general consensus is that you can make more money with the percentage pay. I don't have any legitimate facts to back this up other than talking with drivers, and if there is one thing I've learned about drivers it is that they are seldom honest when it comes to their pay. The thing you need to realize about percentage pay is that 28% of one load may be more than 28% of another load - that all depends on what that particular load pays, but 38 cents per mile is always 38 cents per mile.

I'm not saying one way or the other is better, because you still might come out ahead on the percentage pay in the end. I do know this though, you can start out by choosing one method of pay, and then there is a certain time period that they will let you change it if you so desire. They also have a certain time slot each year where they will let you change your mind on the method of pay that you want.

From what the recruiter said Old School is correct. He boasted about making close to $70K his first year 12 years ago and many of the testimonials online do as well. TMC says 85% of the drivers opt for the % pay rather than mileage. I would think there would be good weeks and bad as with mileage pay but do not know so I can't comment further. Just remember flatbed is a whole different ballgame compared to vans. You can make great money with dry vans on dedicated routes where you unload freight which is what I chose with Werner...I want the exercise and am dedicated to 3 chain stores that will not go out of business even in a down economy. You are paid with TMC (according to the recruiter at school) as to how well you adhere to their rules. They pay for one truck wash per week and you must do it or suffer on pay was the way he put it. Fuel mileage was the same, as well as OTD. Ask many questions from TMC and other flatbed companies, compare them and go from there is all you can do. This business has something for many different walks of life...you just have to find your area and go with it is what I have learned.

Thank you, Ray C. Congrats on getting your license recently. Yes, relax is the key word. And I'm normally as calm as can be. I guess my jitters started when I left school on Monday after starting to have problems on backing that I had already worked out. Instructor told me to quit overthinking it. My examiner told me the same thing this morning. I seem to have lost my mojo. lol I've been through more stressful situations in my 53 years. I just didn't see this happening this way. But I am trying to look at it as a valuable lesson. I will do better, I know. Enjoy these holidays.

Thanks and keep your head up. I am no spring chicken at 45 but got through it and you will too! My Instructors stressed not over thinking and second guessing yourself if you have been doing this and nailing it for the past 2 weeks. At our age we have an advantage. Happy Holidays to you and keep in touch as we may see each other someday out there!

This is my first time commenting here but I have been taking advantage of all the generous advice and experience offered here since long before I started school on Dec. 1st. I have nothing negative to say about my school or instructors and I'm not here to whine or look for pity. Just if there is anyone with any encouraging words to get my confidence level back up, I would be grateful. I passed my pre-trip fine, moved to yard test and was feeling somewhat nervous but ok. My first maneuver was a simple straight line back. Understood the rules as they were clearly explained to me and proceeded to back successfully through the box. Set my brakes, blew the horn and was not where I thought I was. Thought I passed my front bumper out the back of the box but was about six feet short. The examiner couldn't believe it, was very sympathetic too. I can't explain how I could do that - definitely wasn't due to over confidence. That was 10 points right there, leaving me only 2 more points for the next two tests. Very nervous now and feeling like a moron, I did a right offset ok, then on to right side parallel - was close but blew my two points going out the back. These were all moves that I was moderately proficient at. I retake the test next Wed., New Years Eve. I don't know what to think about this.

I just got my license on 12/12 and the only advice I can give is what Aaron Rodgers said early in the season...RELAX. I nailed every yard move from week 1.5 up until into the 3rd week at which point our group changed (6 in the class and same groups up until then but an instructor had to take some time off). At that point the seat position changed from what I was used to adjusting it to so my marks were off and even the morning of the test I was not 100% sure but I relaxed and passed. 2 guys failed the first try but retested and only one passed because the other stopped, for some unfathomable reason. right in the middle of the straight line back (he stressed out and made too drastic of a turn and got himself to the point of being out of bounds). Other more experienced drivers can give more advice but from my perspective and having recently passed my test I will say do not call yourself a moron...this is not easy. And as far as what to think about this...think positive and relax.

I aint no stranger coming in to this. Im not just a random joe going from a honda civic into towing trailers. I do have experience prior on busy crazy roads and highways for 3 years.

Classic mistake of thinking that because you know how to do a job you should become a business owner. That's the #1 reason in my opinion that businesses fail....because people run their businesses as if it's only a job. They wake up, do the job, eat dinner, and go to bed. Doing the job is the easy part of owning and operating a business. It's everything else you have to do besides producing your product or service that makes or breaks a business and you have no experience running a trucking business.

In sports you'll often find people who make that mistake. They think because they were great players it must mean they can coach, recruit, draft, manage personnel, and maybe even own the team outright. And most of them fail miserably. Michael Jordan was the greatest player of all time but has been an embarrassment as a General Manager and owner. Matt Millen was a Hall of Fame player who took a shot at being the General Manager of the Detroit Lions and it went horribly. There are a thousand examples of this.

Well, we've shared our experiences and you know our feelings on it. Time for you to pony up your life savings, setup some financing that will lock you in for years, and roll the dice. Hey, it can only end two ways right? You'll either succeed like about 5% of the people have or you'll run away screaming like the other 95%. So what the heck...go for it!

I have to agree with Brett. I spent 18 years managing businesses for other people making them money so I know that aspect. I have my CDL now and would like to own my own truck someday and have the business background to support that should it happen. Owning a truck is not about just driving it...it is about knowing when to eat tuna from a can and when you can splurge on that one steak dinner you treat yourself to when times are good. But only one because money in the bank is what matters when you run your own business. Fluctuating fuel prices, supply and demand, economic cycles both world and domestic will all need to be considered if you own your own truck. Also flexibility...can you jump from one endorsement to another when you experience a downturn? Good luck to you but running full speed into something that takes way more than shifting gears and passing other trucks may take a little more foresight than what you have put into it thus far.

Since this is only a temporary rollback, I am curious how this will affect training & testing for newbies over the coming weeks and months?

I was in Orientation with Werner the last 2 days and we were all informed of the new rule as we learned the old rule in school (all of us had graduated recently). I had already read about it prior to going and was curious about the status of the Qualcoms. They said they had all been updated to reflect the new rules and all drivers were conducting themselves as such so all of us newbies who finished orientation will be as well.

Dr. Wayne here from Texas, to give all the truck drivers a heads up! Its important to see a "Driver Friendly" DOT fmcsa CME doctor! As you know examination finding can vary depending on circumstances which you may not be aware of. The most critical part of an evaluation are parts which affect the drivers ability to perform his job as a driver. As you all know by now on May 21, 2014, Federal law regarding fmcsa required physical examination changed with most of the rules focused on the Licensed Health Care Providers (LHCP), and reporting requirements now required of each doctor performing evaluations as a Certified Medical Examiner (CME).

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty

Your Certification period depends on several factors. Medications, Past Surgeries, Diagnosed Conditions, Blood Sugar, and Blood Pressure can determine your certification period, just to name a few!

With no surprize, High Blood Pressure is the #1 cause of a reduced Certification Period!

See chart below

Reading Re-Certification 140-159/90-99 Stage 1 1 year Certification 1 year if <140/90 One Time Cert for 3 months if 141-159/91-99 160-179/100-109 Stage 2 One time certification 1 year from date of exam if < 140/90 For 3 months >180/110 Stage 3 6 months from Date 6 month if < 140/90 of Exam if < 140/90

Once its on the record you have Hypertension, you will never have a certification greater than 1 year.

If you are ever in Stage 3, Your are DISQUALIFIED until your BP is within normal limits. You will never have a certification period for greater than 6 months, and your BP must be below 140/90 in order to continue to drive.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-effect-driver-certification-based-fmcsa-hypertension-stages

Where you go and how the blood pressure is taken can make the difference! We all know about a truck drivers life, and the stress you deal with every day! However, if you go to one of those large corporate owned urgent care centers. Your blood pressure is likely to go up after a 3 -4 hour wait. How the blood pressure is taken also plays a factor in borderline cases. You can affect the blood pressure by 10 points knowing a few simple tricks.

We are developing a "Driver Friendly" Network in Texas. My office is in Corpus Christi but we have offices networked throughout the state!

Feel Free to ask any questions regarding your health and your DOT Physical Examination.

DrW, "Texas Trucking Network"

If you can let me know of any affiliated Dr's in IL I would greatly appreciate it. My Medical card is for one year due to hypertension (hereditary and on meds...reading was 138/80 on physical day...BMI is good and exercise). Thanks!

I'm 54 and want to be a Driver. I've reached out to a bunch of recruiters and got lots of advice on Facebook from folks. My concern about going to "Free" CDL training paid for by a company is getting "locked into" a contract. What do you think about this?

1. Pay for my own schooling OR get Grant/Loan for it. 2. Go to work for a Company that offers more Regional than OTR driving.

Thoughts and thanks!?

I am starting school on Monday and paid for it up front. I talked to the admissions counselor many times about which way to go and that is what I chose. His advice made sense...imagine locking yourself into a contract with a school and something happened on the road or to your health...payments are still there and you are now unemployed and possibly paying major health care bills without insurance. Or getting into an accident being fired and not being able to get hired elsewhere. The price you pay with the finance charges through company programs is twice what you will pay up front. If you do pay up front most companies will reimburse just research their policy as some are great and some are not...I have a prehire through Werner and I like their program. Research...research...research.