They would make you be with a trainer for 2 to 4 weeks, for say someone like me, hauling equipment, OD loads for yrs. Someone with experience with flat beds should know about split axles and dump valves anyway. As far as a transmission goes, you should not have this problem if you can drive a truck. I myself would not go with any trainer for 2 or 4 weeks to learn something I have been doing for 30 yrs. Paperwork, dispatch, delivery and reload this is what the orientation is for. I'm not putting you down, but from the sound of it, this company is for new drivers only, and they don't really want experienced drivers anyway? I don't know of any experienced drivers that know the flatbed and heavy haul business that would want to train again, these are some of the perks you should get for your experience. Again this post is still a question to you GP and not an argument, I still wonder why I would need to train to work for TMC??

 

No offense or argument intended so PLEASE do not be offended when I can HONESTLY tell you that I have seen MANY veterans secure their load improperly and often times DANGEROUSLY. For example, you may be in the Navy for 10 years, have been in REAL war, killed 40 enemies, can make a weapon from a glass of water and two sticks, but if you want to be a Navy SEAL, you have to go to SEAL training. I don't know how to say this without sounding stuck up or conceited about my company but here goes: No one (with the exception of possibly Maverick) secures their loads and takes care of their equipment like TMC. I have helped quite a few veteran drivers with a lot more experience than me secure their loads when the had not a clue what to do. I am not saying that you are one of these drivers. There are a bunch of guys who do things as good as or better than TMC but they are the MINORITY and there is no way to know if any given driver is good or bad unless he proves himself while out with a trainer for a week or two.
I guess you have three choices and can look at it this way:
1- If TMC is offering wages or benefits that suit you and are above what you are earning now, then you put up with the two weeks and get rewarded with a job/career that makes you happy.
2- If TMC is NOT better than where you are now, then STAY WHERE YOU ARE and this discussion is an exercise in futility.
3- If TMC is offering wages or benefits that suit you and are above what you are earning now and you just can't deal with two excruciatingly long weeks to gain a better career and make yourself happier in the long run because your pride is in the way then there's not much anyone will be able to do for you.

I re-read what I typed and it SOUNDS nasty or like I'm being a wise ass but that's NOT my intention. You may very well be a great guy and a damn fine driver. But TMC's policy is a good one I believe and I think if you gave them a shot, you wouldn't be disappointed. Though not much, you will get $550/week while training and some guys do it in just one week. It depends on your ability and your trainers report.

And actually we have MORE than enough newbies and are currently actively seeking experienced drivers.

If you want to talk, call me anytime. You'll see I really am a nice guy even if I don't type like one. :wink:

 

Flatbedding is hard work and TMC is the best at it.

 

I wish I had the chance to drive with my dad. that must be VERY cool. Thanks for the company compliments driver and be well.

 

I did not become a training officer until I had almost 13 years on the job. Not to dispute some of the comments already out there but there are companies which will qualify a trainer after 6 months on the job. Frankly, the prospect of being "tranined" by a person with 6 months, or one year for that matter, is frightening. This would be like a proby, 6 months out of academy, teaching a new officer street survival skills. If such were the case, there would be alot more dead Peace Officers out there. Frankly, I would not think of training anyone until I have at least 5 years OTR. I felt my role as a trainer very acutely. The last, and I mean last, thing I could ever imagine was the word that an officer I trained was killed, seriously injured or used deadly force out of policy,in the line of duty. Thank God that never happened in 21+ years. Pushing an 80,000 lb. rig down the road is just as great a responsibility, perhaps even greater, than carrying a .45 Glock and chasing bad guys.