I Might (hopefully!) Be Getting Training Soon!

Hey all,

I've been applying to every trucking company that offers training that I could find. I had looked into Dock to Driver programs near me and although there are a few companies that offer that, unfortunately none of them had any dockworker openings. I did apply to Walmart because I saw they have an Associate to Driver program and did have 2 positions open at their distribution center in Hope Mills, NC. It had been a few days since I applied there and hadn't heard back from them.

So, I went to see if I did in fact apply to every, single trucking company that offers training. There was 1 that I swore I applied for, but actually didn't TMC Transportation. I filled out the application and was straight up honest with them and listed Millis Transfer as prior training.

A recruiter named Brandon gave me a call and asked me some questions. He seemed to like everything I was saying. Then he asked about Millis and what happened there. I told him the truth and said that out of 3 students, only 1 was approved to continue and that student had prior training through another school. I said that even our instructor; a truck driver for over 34 years; knew that 1 1/2 weeks of training behind the wheel wasn't enough time and that he had an argument with management at Millis about that fact. Brandon was quiet for a moment.....and then said, "Don't worry about it. There's a opening in your area and I'm going to forward your application to the hiring team."

I couldn't believe it! He said I should hear from him in a day or 2 and he'd give me all of the info for orientation!

I forgot to ask. Does anyone here work for or had worked for TMC Transportation? If so, are they any good? Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I read your last post and was wondering why you never mentioned any of the flatbed companies that offer training.

TMC is very good.

Congratulations James!

Remember this... your training will be rushed. That's how this works. You've got to commit to being confident and picking things up quickly. You already know how this issue affected you at Millis. You are very fortunate to be given the chance to get back in the ring. You've got to prove you can handle the stress and make it happen.

That's straight talk from a guy who knows the difficulties of getting this career off to a good start. Nobody is going to hold your hand out here, and there is absolutely no room for faking it in trucking. I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to figure out how important your attitude is in the beginning. You're the sponge. They've got what you need. You have to soak it up quickly or they feel they're wasting time and resources that can be better spent on another.

Take a few minutes and listen to this podcast. I think it may be helpful to your understanding of success at the beginning of a trucking career.

Why is CDL Training Done In Such A Rush?

I forgot to ask. Does anyone here work for or had worked for TMC Transportation? If so, are they any good? Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Congrats!! TMC is very good, and they are also known for being pretty strict. Follow their rules and listen to what they tell you and you’ll do fine.

Your goal needs to be to get through training and after that to stick with them for that first year. A singular mindset like that will be your best friend.

Flatbed is really fun btw. I’ve been flatbedding for over a year now and I love it. There are a lot of little perks we get to enjoy. Tarping is tedious but most of the time it’s not bad. As far as I’ve heard, TMC has thorough training and will teach you everything you need to know

Hey all,

Brandon from TMC Transportation called. He said my employment history has been verified and my background check came back and that looked good. He said I have been APPROVED!

He sent their orientation info and a video to watch to the Driver Pulse app. I confirmed getting the info and watching the video.

I'll be getting training in Columbia, SC. He's trying to set it up for me now as far as getting there.

I'm so excited I feel like I'm going to EXPLODE! Lol!

There's a number of things I gotta get for the checklist and I gotta do it on the cheap. I hope GoodWill has got at least some of the things I need.

Just wanted to say thanks to all who gave advice, info, support and encouragement. I honestly don't think I could have done it without you!

Hang in there James. Getting approved is great, but you're still in this whole application process. The whole training period is one long interview. Let me say that again... The whole training period is one long interview.

You've got to show up with your game face on, and be ready for daily challenges. Once again, I'm not trying to scare you. I want you to knock it out of the park. I'm trying to prepare you for what's ahead of you. I'm going to repeat something I mentioned in a prior post...

Nobody is going to hold your hand out here, and there is absolutely no room for faking it in trucking.

You've got to prove you can close the deal. They are giving you that chance. Make it happen.

Hang in there James. Getting approved is great, but you're still in this whole application process. The whole training period is one long interview. Let me say that again... The whole training period is one long interview.

You've got to show up with your game face on, and be ready for daily challenges. Once again, I'm not trying to scare you. I want you to knock it out of the park. I'm trying to prepare you for what's ahead of you. I'm going to repeat something I mentioned in a prior post...

Nobody is going to hold your hand out here, and there is absolutely no room for faking it in trucking.

You've got to prove you can close the deal. They are giving you that chance. Make it happen.

Hi Old School,

I hear what you are saying. I know I gotta prove to them that I can do this. I'm going to fully immerse myself into their training and soak everything up like a sponge. I know I gotta go there with a "can do" attitude and show them that I can do.

The only thing that's doing their best to put doubt in my head and hold me back is unfortunately my wife. It's complicated, to say the least. I thought she'd be happy that I've got another opportunity, but she's trying her best to rain on my parade. She just wants me to try to get a job that I just got laid off from no matter how I try to explain to her that the job market for that is WAY overcrowded, has WAY too much competition and most of the employers out there are doing whatever they can to offshore all of remote IT. I wish she'd understand that I'm doing this for; at least; a little better job security. At least a trucking job can't get offshored.

James, GREAT NEWS! So far your perseverance has paid off. You really hung in there, man!

Like Old School said, there is a lot ahead of you before you get your own truck. We’re all here to help you along the way, so don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions. Your persistent nature will be of great benefit to you as you navigate the steps ahead of you.

There were exactly three people in my life that supported my decision to become a driver.

My son, and my two best friends. This job pointed out the significant differences of opinion on lifestyle that my then fiancee and I had. It ultimately fast forwarded the end of that relationship.

You HAVE TO set a boundary during training, because you will not have enough mental energy to battle crap at home, AND the mental energy to bring your A game.

You had mentionrd that you were splitting up with her. If that is the case, her opinion means exactly **** as to what your future looks like. The second splitting up was decided, your choices were for YOUR future, not hers.