Profile For Ray M.

Was the drug test for TMC a hair follicle or UA..? As I don't have any hair to give.... -Thanks

thought I'd start this thread up for anyone recent CDL graduates thinking about TMC.

9/29/2013 This was the travel day. Most people had to take the bus, but a few of us were lucky to ride out in rental cars with TMC employees who just finished their time with a trainer and were heading back to Iowa to test out and get their own trucks. I got some good information about what to expect, and it was a lot more fun than taking the bus. I met the other two at i-94 near ann arbor, michigan at a pilot station and we were off at about 2 AM. Des Moines bound. We arrived in Des Moines a little after 10, got ourselves some breakfast, then hit the hotel. The hotel staff were very nice and got me my room key as well as an orientation packet. I took a nap then went for a jog on the country roads through the cornfields. It is beautiful out here. I came back exhausted, ate a quick dinner, and got to sleep for the first actual day of orientation.

9/30/2013 The shuttle from the hotel was to leave at 6:45AM. The packet instructed us to eat a light breakfast avoiding caffeine and sweets. I had some unsalted almonds and a bottle of water and was on my way. We arrived at the training center around 7:30 and were split up by new drivers and experienced drivers and sent into separate rooms. The room for new drivers was basically a big computer lab. Our names were already on pieces of paper at the top of each monitor so we knew where to sit. Our classroom instructor, George, is rude, crude, funny, and most importantly honest. He is telling us the truth of what it is going to be like out there, both good and bad. We started doing some computer learning modules and shortly after we were sent for a physical. The physical itself was very laid back (compared to the one I experienced in my very brief time at prime). All the nurses and doctors were very nice and got us through quickly without rushing us though. It was typical physical stuff including blood pressure check, drug test, eyesight test, hernia check, reflex check, and some other moving bending. After this we went back to the classroom for a very short time before being sent out to a garage on the yard for part two of our physical. This was the hard part, we met with a physical therapist who showed up proper lifting techniques. Then we had to lift the 120 pound lumber tarp up onto our shoulder, walk about thirty feet, and place it on the trailer. After that we had to climb the side of the trailer (jump to put our belly on it, then swing ourselves over), and lift the tarp onto a coil. We then, using three contact points, walked around the coil and took the tarp down on the other side. Next we safely climbed down the back of the trailer, walked back to where we set the tarp, picked it up, and carried to back 20 feet to where we started. Then we had to properly crawl under the trailer without straining our backs. Finally we had to climb a ladder to the top of a 13'6" load and stand with our toes off the edge before climbing back down. We lost one person from the orientation because he couldn't climb the side of the trailer, he was sent home. Then back to the building for lunch. They feed you like kings at TMC. After that back to the classroom for more testing as well as filling out some general forms (tax forms etc.). It really wasn't too long of a day, they sent us back on the bus around 5.

10/1/2013 Today started the same with the shuttle heading to the training center at 6:45. We got there and went straight to our classrooms. Today we spent a little time on our computer tests, but far more we were being instructed about load planning, qualcomm, company policies, and more. I'm pretty tired so I don't think I will touch on all of it today, but most of the day was spent in the classroom. After 5 half the group went home and the other half stayed for more time on tests, 13 speed shifting practice on the simulators, and straight backing in the yard. The 13 speed (on the simulator at least) really wasn't hard to shift, pretty fun really. In the yard they had us run up to fourth gear while going forward, then downshift to 3rd, then stop and back up in idle through about 100 feet of cones. These peterbilts are NICE trucks.

This is all for now, leave any questions you have for me here and I'll get back to you.

Thanks I was thinkin the same thing...thanks for the info

Matt, they will definitely be doing a urine test. That will take place on the very first day, if I remember correctly. Look, here's what I would do if I were you: Get a letter from your doctor stating what is going on inside your kidneys and also have him state that he doesn't see any reason why it should hinder you from operating a commercial vehicle. That is a proactive step in the right direction. I can assure you the Doc that's doing the physical will be interested in your condition, and he will ask you some questions. Having a letter from your physician is a standard way of dealing with issues that might arise in a urine test.

I'm concerned with any pain killer medication you might be taking because I know that kidney stones can be brutally painful at times. If you occasionally take some pain meds you will also need to list them on the paper work they give you prior to the taking of the sample. You will need to have the bottled prescriptions with you (in their properly labeled bottles) and the prescribing physicians name, number, and fax number needs to go on that form you fill out also. These are the kinds of details you will need. These are important if you are serious about doing this. I've been to TMC orientations several times, and saw lots of people get sent home for not taking the necessary details serious and thinking they could just explain it to the doctor while they are there. It does not work like that. Any medication you are taking needs to be handled in this way. I think you will be fine, you've just got to be one step ahead. When it comes to them having questions about something, you need for them to already have the answer in their hands when the question arises.