TMC, Prime, Or Roehl

I drove for a living for the first few years I was out of the Marine Corps. Did some regional driving pulling a reefer , then a couple years with a dump trailer (locally) and some occasional lowboy work. Eventually I got out of driving, did some construction work, and eventually, got a job with some retirement benefits, but no real satisfaction in terms of feeling like I accomplish much. I'm 51 now, and would like to retire and work for a living again. I've been thinking about getting into trucking again, since my kids are grown and on their own and it's just my wife and I now. Unfortunately, like an idiot, I let my CDL expire when I got out of trucking and I'm planning on trying to take advantage of the opportunities offered by one of the larger companies to help me get my CDL again and work for them in return. I've already started studying for the written test and believe I could pass it now. I'm pretty much set on flatbed work, since I do kind of like some physical work, and a little bit of challenge. I've done some internet searching about TMC, Prime, and Roelhl. I haven't found a ton about Prime's or Roehl's flatbed divisions and TMC looks great. I'm just a little hesitant about them for the "boot camp" stories I've read. Don't get me wrong... I like hard work, cleanliness, things done right, and trying my best. I'm willing to learn and, no matter who I work for, would try to do hings the way the company wants them done. On the other hand, at 51 years old, being treated like an eighteen year old just out of high school would be a problem for me. I try to treat people with respect and expect the same in return. I'm interested in good training, but not a chicken crap boot camp experience. I'd like to hear from those of you who have actually worked for these companies to try to find out which one would be the best for me.

I looked at those three companies when I started and ended up going to Prime. I wanted to go to TMC but they weren't hiring from my state (NC at the time).

Prime gave me a good foundation. In hindsight, I regret paying for my equipment, since it's quite a bit of money ($3500), you don't really recover what you've invested in it when you leave, and most other companies don't make you pay for your equipment. That alone definitely offsets the higher initial pay.

I think if you were a Marine, you won't have a hard time training at TMC. It's not like you're going to have to hold perfectly still in front of a DI while you get bit by sand fleas. Every TMC driver I've talked to loves the company.

I have not heard complaints from Roehl drivers either, but I don't run into them as often as TMC.

Bud A said:

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Prime gave me a good foundation. In hindsight, I regret paying for my equipment, since it's quite a bit of money ($3500), you don't really recover what you've invested in it when you leave, and most other companies don't make you pay for your equipment. That alone definitely offsets the higher initial pay.

...

This equipment you mention, is that all the tarps and stuff required for flatbedding? In other words, is that fee only for Prime flatbedders?

Welcome Roanpony!

I like hard work, cleanliness, things done right, and trying my best. I'm willing to learn and, no matter who I work for, would try to do hings the way the company wants them done. On the other hand, at 51 years old, being treated like an eighteen year old just out of high school would be a problem for me. I try to treat people with respect and expect the same in return. I'm interested in good training, but not a chicken crap boot camp experience. I'd like to hear from those of you who have actually worked for these companies to try to find out which one would be the best for me.

TMC is run mostly by former military but not in "military style". They have strict rules that you must follow. They expect you to look professional and act professional at all times. You have to keep your truck clean inside and out (they pay for washing the outside).

But they won't be doing the "boot camp" stuff like screaming at you or treating you like a punk kid or making you scrub the floor with a toothbrush. You may not understand or agree with all of their rules but you won't find yourself being disrespected or treated like a punk kid unless you were to act that way.

You wouldn't believe how many people come into this industry with a really poor attitude, and it's ten times worse at the Paid CDL Training Programs where they'll give anyone who qualifies a free shot a getting their CDL. With nothing invested in the endeavor a lot of people treat it like they could take it or leave it. Well when you're talking about handling an 80,000 pound building on wheels surrounded by SUV's full of children you simply can't be lazy, you can't be careless, and you can't act like you know it all. You have to listen and learn and you have to pay attention to detail or you're going to kill someone.

If you do indeed go through one of these programs you'll see the very first day what I mean. You're going to be looking at classmates who obviously should not be behind the wheel of a truck with the approach they take to things. Actually I wouldn't trust some of them with a mop.

And by the way, TMC's strict rules and high expectations have a lot of influence on how their drivers are treated out on the road. DOT knows that their equipment is stellar and that their drivers have excellent securement training. The customers also know that TMC drivers tend to act more professional and are better equipped than many flatbedders they come across. So a company with an excellent reputation can be quite a bit easier to drive for than a company with a bad reputation because you're not being singled out by the DOT or by dock workers because of the company you work for.

Bud A said:

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Prime gave me a good foundation. In hindsight, I regret paying for my equipment, since it's quite a bit of money ($3500), you don't really recover what you've invested in it when you leave, and most other companies don't make you pay for your equipment. That alone definitely offsets the higher initial pay.

...

This equipment you mention, is that all the tarps and stuff required for flatbedding? In other words, is that fee only for Prime flatbedders?

That is correct. My understanding is that the reefer drivers only pay for a $130 Abloy lock.

Roanpony, Brett said it much better than I did.

Bud A said:

...

Prime gave me a good foundation. In hindsight, I regret paying for my equipment, since it's quite a bit of money ($3500), you don't really recover what you've invested in it when you leave, and most other companies don't make you pay for your equipment. That alone definitely offsets the higher initial pay.

...

This equipment you mention, is that all the tarps and stuff required for flatbedding? In other words, is that fee only for Prime flatbedders?

That is correct. My understanding is that the reefer drivers only pay for a $130 Abloy lock.

Cool, thanks for answering my question.

When I've posted "treat it like boot camp" it wasn't a drill Sgt thing...but a "I'm 42 and living in a rolling closet that belongs to someone else so they set the rules and I'm uncomfortable and want my own space" kinda thing.

It can be long, but very beneficial. It can be frustrating especially if you dont like the person but they are not there for you to like or be your friend. Its temporary like boot camp... Once you get thru it then you are done and ready to run your own truck, your way, your rules.

Tastebuds...for reefer its more than that and depends if you buy used, or can get load locks elsewhere.

You have to pay for load locks, chains, pad locks.. I think it came to $500. They took it out in weekly payment if like $50 or so.

If you can find load locks in empty trainers at the yard, you save like $70...buy used chains you save around $100. Something like that

Roanpony, I can't speak much about TMC or Prime (I understand both to be good companies), but I got my CDL through Roehl and have been with them over a year now.

I am a national reefer driver, but we have a pretty robust flatbed and specialized division and they do not charge drivers to use securement equipment. Our CDL training program is 3-4 weeks, 6 days a week at one of our terminals - flatbedders usually train at Marshfield, WI, Gary, IN or Conley, GA. We also have an outstanding training program that partners with Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI, but they do not pull flatbed trailers at that location. All expenses paid during this first phase. It was not "a chicken crap boot camp experience" - for a large company, Roehl was sincere in their efforts to safely train and prepare its new drivers. I worked with multiple trainers who had worked in different segments of this industry and they were dedicated professionals that set me up for success. We did a lot of backing practice and city/close quarters driving.

During the next phase of training, the over the road with a trainer portion, my driver trainer was a two-million mile safe driver who had been with the company since 1998. He pushed me to prepare to go solo, but never raised his voice or berated me. I wasn't his logbook; when I was on-duty, so was he (Roehl requires a minimum of 6-hours overlap). The final four months of training was as a part of a training fleet - I had a fleet manager with a small board dedicated to grooming new solo drivers. I operated as a solo driver, but I still had additional training requirements to complete and skills testing. By the end, as many experienced drivers say, there was always something new to learn, but I was confident in my ability to plan and complete my trips, and I have enjoyed a very successful first year.

We have a lot of veterans working here, including senior management, support staff, drivers, and myself. They are good people who have always been honest with me. I've worked hard to develop good relationships with my fleet managers, load planners, maintenance, and regular customers. It has paid off. If you can be patient with people and develop those relationships, you will be successful at any of these companies. Roehl is not as strict as TMC with appearance (we don't have uniforms or anything), but like anywhere, it doesn't go unnoticed and they have expectations of good hygiene and maintaining the equipment. Our drivers are pretty tight-knit and we actively police up our slobs and super truckers.

Like Brett said, we do get a lot of people who come through the school houses with the wrong attitude, unrealistic expectations of what they are getting into, people who signed a contract without reading, or who otherwise fought the corporate culture during their time here. They don't stay very long, and end up owing the company repayment for their training. 3/4 of my training class left before their first year. The current contract for getting your CDL with Roehl is 120,000 paid miles, which works out to about a year, or maybe a little more depending on how you work. I was able to complete mine in just over 11 months on the national reefer fleet. Honestly, if you aren't willing or able to commit to at least year with one company, you are hurting your future employment opportunities anyway. If those folks had taken the time to read through this site, I think they would have had a much easier time.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will be happy to reply. Best of luck!