a New Career with TMC

www.drivetmctrans.com
4 TMC- No One Does Flatbed Better
5A Family’s Transition Into Trucking
6Trucking Offers A Strong, Stable Career
7Path To A New Career
8 What To Look For In A CDL School
9Training & Safety
10Why Choose To Drive For TMC Over
Any Other Company?
12Equipment
13Military
15FAQ
(855) 734-6232
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3
No One Does
Flatbed Better
TMC began in 1972 when Harrold Annett purchased the dormant trucking company, The Mickow
Corporation. With six power units and an office staff
of two, Harrold and his team of professionals built
TMC into the largest privately-held flatbed carrier in
the nation.
As a flatbed carrier, TMC hauls a variety of
goods from building materials like lumber and
drywall to agricultural machinery and industrial
raw materials such as steel and aluminum. Being a
flatbed driver means never having to load or unload
freight, but has the added challenge of securing
and protecting the freight. Our drivers are experts
in load securement and we have spent the last 40
years developing a state-of-the-art training center
focused on safety.
TMC is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa on a
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picturesque 50-acre campus which includes training
and maintenance facilities and an up-scale Baymont
Inn and Suites, the industry’s first driver hospitality
center.
With 40 years experience exclusively in flatbed,
no other carrier has a stronger flatbed freight base
or better reputation for delivering excellent service.
Throughout the industry, TMC is known for its integrity, innovation, highly-trained drivers, impeccably
maintained late-model equipment, superior safety
record and unwavering dedication to quality and
customer service.
We are able to provide the very best service to
our customers because we seek out the very best
people, train them in the fundamentals of quality
and empower them to develop innovative techniques
focused on customer service.
If you ask any one of our
new drivers “what is the most
difficult part of becoming an
OTR driver?” many will answer
“being away from home.”
Adjusting to a new way of life
takes its toll on a new driver
and their family.
For TMC driver Jerry Wolff
the adjustment to being an OTR
driver has been difficult for
his family; however they have
found the positive benefits far
outweigh the negatives of the
job.
“Getting my CDL and coming
to TMC is the best decision
I have made,” says Wolff.
“Becoming a professional
truck driver has turned my
life around. I can now provide
for my family and I am happy
doing something I love.”
At 45 years old, Jerry says
he has had enough career
changes in his life and likes
trucking and the opportunities it
offers. “I did a lot of research
before I went to get my CDL,”
he explains. “I knew what I was
getting into and it was a family
decision. My wife and
three boys support me
100% and that makes
all the difference.
The W
olff F
We knew going into
amily
it that the first few
months would be tough. But
now we are in a routine and the
“When I came
security I feel and the pay is
into this my
worth the sacrifice.”
Trucking is a family affair
expectations
for the Wolffs. His sons, who
were just to
are old enough to ride in the
truck, have both been on road
make a paycheck .
trips this summer and the letters
I am happy with
Jerry has received from the
TMC safety department for his
the pay scale
two clean DOT inspections are
at TMC.
proudly posted on the fridge
door.
In my first
“When I came into this my
expectations were just to make
year I made
a paycheck. I am happy with
$
56,000, & I
the pay scale at TMC. In my
first year I made $56,000. And
was also able
I was also able to get home
to get home
almost every weekend.”
almost every
weekend.“
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5
Myth
Truck drivers
are never home.
There are many opportunities within the trucking
industry for both local and Over The Road drivers. OTR
drivers’ home-time depends on the company. TMC OTR
drivers get home 46 out of 52 weekends a year.
Truth
You can start your
career quickly
& make good money.
You can typically get your CDL, train with your chosen
company (TMC has a paid orientation program) and be
making a solid pay check in less than 3 months. The
average first year driver can make more than $35,000
with benefits. Exceptional drivers can make upwards of
$60,000 their first year with TMC.
Myth
Truck drivers
aren’t safe.
Every aspect of the trucking industry is regulated. These
regulations are in place to keep drivers and the motoring
public safe.
Truth
There is currently a
driver shortage.
The economy is rebounding and companies like TMC are
in need of skilled drivers. There has never been a better
time to get into the trucking industry. These are great
paying jobs that cannot be sent overseas.
Obtaining your CDL is a great investment. The
trucking industry is very strong right now and companies are looking for skilled drivers. There is great job
stability as a professional truck driver.
The trucking industry is a 255 billion dollar industry and professional drivers are essential to the U.S.
economy. They have the important job of delivering
the food we eat, clothes we wear and materials that
build our houses.
It is relatively easy to start your career as a
professional driver. Getting your CDL takes approximately 6 weeks and costs anywhere from $3,000 to
$6,000. That may seem like a lot up front, but what
other career do you know of where you can learn
a new skill and make a great paycheck in less than
three months? First year drivers can make between
$35,000 and $60,000 with full benefits.
One of the best things about trucking is getting
out on the open road and seeing the United States.
Path to
a new career
Myth
Truck drivers are all
rude & uneducated.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Our nation’s
truck drivers have a very difficult and important job.
They keep America moving. TMC has truck drivers
from all walks of life, to include former officers in the
US Armed Forces, doctors and architects. But they all
have one thing in common, they love to drive.
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7
What to look for
in a CDL school:
1
Is the school
accredited by a
legitimate state
or national agency?
2
Is the school program
at least 160 hours?
3
How many hours of
“hands on the wheel”
time are built into
the curriculum?
4
What does
the course cost,
what is included and
what are the options
to finance tuition?
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TMC has been committed to hiring recent
truck school graduates since 1993. Our
program is recognized as one of the best
and is one of the few on-the-job truck driver
training programs in the country approved by
the Department of Labor as a certified Heavy
Truck Driver Apprenticeship program. Student
drivers are paid while training at TMC, from
orientation right on through your over-the-road
training with one of our certified trainers.
Training is conducted at our state-of-the-art
training center in Des Moines, Iowa. The facility includes classrooms with computers for each
student, a cafeteria, and spacious training yard
where drivers will hone their driving and load
securement skills. We are proud to offer
our students four driving simulators. This
latest technology allows us to simulate a
lifetime of hazards in a two hour session in
a safe manner. During orientation drivers
will enjoy staying at the TMC owned &
operated Baymont Inn and Suites. Lunch is
provided daily.
TMC is proud to be a leader in safety. Our team of
professionals are committed to ensuring safety is the
number one consideration in every aspect of delivering
freight. We know how important it is to keep our drivers
and the motoring public safe, and that is why we utilize
state-of-the-art safety equipment like Wingman, a detection and collision avoidance system.
We believe it is our responsibility to hire only the
safest drivers to put behind the wheel. Before our
drivers deliver their first load, they are required to
undergo a thorough evaluation to ensure they meet
TMC and D.O.T. standards.
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Qualifications
culture
Ask our drivers about our respect for them. We
have high expectations for our drivers and we want
drivers who have high expectations for us. The
quality and reputations of our drivers are our best
reference.
safety
At TMC we know that your safety and the safety
of the public come first. The investment we make in
buying the best equipment, maintaining it vigilantly
and providing the best safety features is evidenced
by our outstanding safety score.
training
TMC is known for its state-of-the art, thorough
training program. Our program is Department
of Labor certified and Department of Veterans
Affairs approved. This gives transitioning military
or recent veterans the opportunity to draw on their
education benefits for up to 18 months while in the
apprenticeship phase at TMC.
reputation
TMC is the standard bearer for flatbed companies. A TMC driver is an individual who wants to
be a member of a team that strives to be the best
at everything it does. Drivers here are proud that
people all over the country know us by the cleanliness and sharpness of our fleet, even if they have
never interacted with a truck driver. The quality of
TMC’s drivers, equipment and service keep the best
customers coming back to us day after day.
choices
In the over the road trucking industry most drivers
(855) 734-6232
• 23 years of age
• Valid Class A
CDL
• Good Driving
Record
• Stable, verifiable
work record
• Ability To Drive
In Canada
are paid based on miles driven. TMC is unique
because we offer two pay programs. It’s your
choice. You can be paid the traditional cents
per mile or TMC’s driver-created percentage
program. This program rewards drivers for
how well they perform their job and pays
drivers a percentage of what the load pays.
More than 85% of our fleet prefer this pay
package because they earn more money
faster.
home time
We are committed to getting you home.
Our entire business model is shaped by this
commitment. We focus on finding customers
and freight lanes that provide the opportunity
for our drivers to be home on weekends.
Drivers who live within our core hiring area
can expect to be home at least 46 out of 52
weekends a year. We do offer drivers the
opportunity to stay out consecutive weeks at a
time if they wish. Drivers always have choices
at TMC.
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11
Meet the
Newest Members
of Our Fleet...
Peterbilt 388
Peterbilt 579
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TMC recently held an event to recognize its more
than 600 military veteran employees. At the event, TMC
introduced a new military decal recognition program.
As part of the new program, each military veteran in the
fleet will have a decal added to their truck that identifies
him or her as a veteran and signifies their branch of service.
Office and shop employees will proudly display their decal
on tool boxes or by name plates.
“We are proud of our veteran employees and their
contributions to the United States Armed Forces,” says
Harrold Annett, CEO and Chairman of TMC. “We have
always had a strong commitment to supporting our
“We know more
than ever how
important it is
to support these
men and women
and we wanted to
recognize them
for all they have
done to protect
our freedoms.”
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13
active duty military and reservists, as
well as providing job opportunities for
transitioning military. We know more
than ever how important it is to
support these men and women
and we wanted to recognize
them for all they have done to
protect our freedoms.”
TMC’s military recognition
program goes hand in hand
with its pledge to hire 500
veterans by 2014 through the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our
Heroes program. “Hiring veterans has
always made sense for us and we want to
show veterans the many opportunities available to
them in the trucking industry,” says Glen McCravy,
Executive Vice President of Risk Management and
Human Resources. We try to make their transition
into a driving career as easy as possible. Our
training program is VA-approved which
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allows veterans to draw on their GI Education
benefits while going through our apprenticeship
program. We also offer a fast-track program for
qualified veterans who are recently discharged
and held a transportation MOS while in the
armed forces.”
More than 30% of TMC’s fleet is comprised
of veterans, many of whom are National
Guard and Reserve. TMC is dedicated to
supporting them while on active duty and is
honored each year by the Iowa Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
for its support of these employees. For the
past 11 years, TMC has sent care packages
each Thanksgiving to TMC employees
and employees’ family members on
active duty. Each year the company also
supports The Home Depot Foundation
Doing More for Veterans and Wounded
Warrior Project.
What’s it like to be a TMC over-the-road
truck driver?
What are the TMC educational
requirements?
It’s a great profession! There are literally hundreds of thousands of individuals
who make a good living every day by driving trucks. If you are self-motivated,
disciplined, reliable, and if you enjoy working by yourself then you already
possess some of the basic prerequisites of an OTR truck driver. The most important
thing to consider is making sure your family is supportive of your career decision.
Great family support is the number one contributor to your success.
At a minimum, we require a high school diploma or G.E.D. You must also
possess the English skills required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Many people think of truck drivers as uneducated people, but the truth is just the
opposite. Being an OTR driver requires very good math skills for trip planning,
hours of service, load placement/securement, etc. You will also need good reading
and writing skills as well as good verbal communication skills.
What type of physical work is required
to be a TMC flatbedder?
What mode of transportation does TMC
use to get me to and from orientation?
Like most OTR jobs, the majority of your time will be spent behind the wheel,
but flatbedding does tend to be more physically involved than other types of
trucking. You will be required to pull yourself up on the trailer and loads. You
will be required to secure straps and chains as well as tarping. There are distinct
advantages to being a flatbedder, and the most obvious is that you get a chance
every day to work outside and get a little physical activity to break up the long
hours of driving.
Either you can take a company paid bus trip or if you’d like to make your
own travel arrangements, we do offer the cash equivalent of the bus ticket (one
way only) to help cover some of your travel expenses. If for some reason you need
to voluntarily leave during orientation/training then travel expenses home will
be your responsibility. At the completion of orientation TMC will provide rental car
transportation home, if you are not scheduled to leave directly with a Quality Driver
Trainer (the majority of the class will go home to meet their trainers).
What is the TMC home time policy during
training?
What type of truck will I get?
We know how important home time is for everyone; however, we cannot
guarantee this during training. Our training coordinators really do go to great
lengths to match you up with a trainer within 150 miles of where you live, and
we are successful over 80 percent of the time. It all depends upon where you live
and which trainers are available at the completion of orientation. Two things that
you can do ahead of time to help improve your odds is to try to have your own
transportation available to and from a trainer’s house and to also have alternate
locations at your disposal. In other words, let’s say you live in Peoria, Illinois, but
we don’t have a trainer available from there, but your parents or a friend lives
in Youngstown, Ohio and they would be willing to put you up for the weekends
during training. We can then take a look around the Youngstown area for
available trainers. In the event that we are unable to find you a trainer close to
you or your family then TMC will take care of your hotel arrangements during the
weekends that your trainer goes home.
Where will I attend TMC orientation?
New hire orientation is conducted in Des Moines, IA. Lodging and lunch is
provided during orientation.
How long is TMC orientation?
If you are coming right from a driving school or if you have very little
experience then you are classified as what we call an Apprentice Driver and
you will attend orientation for two weeks. It will begin on a Monday and finish
on Friday of the following week, and you will be in class during the weekend in
between the first and second weeks. It consists of classroom, load securement, and
equipment familiarization (yard training) instruction. Then you will go out on the
road for five weeks with a TMC Quality Driver Trainer.
How much will I be paid during TMC
orientation?
Apprentice Driver (those who attend the two-week orientation) pay is $400
upon completion of the first week of orientation, $400 upon completion of the
second week of orientation, and $425 for each week while you are on the road
with a Quality Driver Trainer. Payroll runs one week behind so your first paycheck
will be two weeks after you start orientation (payday is every Monday).
We primarily operate Peterbilts. Models 379, 387, 388 and soon to be added
579. We cannot guarantee which particular model is assigned to you, but you
can rest assured that they are loaded with bells and whistles. TMC has always
maintained a reputation of having some of the absolute best trucks on the road.
Most owner-operators don’t have equipment as nice as TMC company trucks.
What sets TMC apart from other OTR
companies?
We are a large carrier, but we know our drivers by name. Our fleet manager
to driver ratio is very low and we want you to stay for the long haul. Hiring
drivers just to simply fill a truck is not the way to become a successful carrier.
Many of our drivers as well as our office staff have been with us for years.
Something else you’ll find unique to a carrier of our size is our open door
facilities. Want to talk to your fleet manager in person? Just simply walk on in.
You’ll find no locked doors or safety glass separating you from the people on
the inside.
How often will I be paid and by what
method?
All driver pay is delivered by direct deposit into your personal bank account.
Your weekly settlement will be deposited into your account every Monday.
I applied to TMC. How do I find out about
my application status?
After you submit an application to TMC, either online or by fax, you will need
to call the recruiting department (1-800-247-2862) after at least 24 hours. You
will be connected to the recruiter who was assigned your application. The recruiter
will need to interview you to complete your application and will then begin the
background investigation process which takes anywhere from a couple of hours
to a couple of days depending on how many past employers we must verify, the
accuracy of the information you submitted, and how quickly your past employers
respond to our verification request. Once your background checks are complete,
your recruiter will forward your application to the TMC Driver Applicant Review
Committee. Once the recruiter has the committee’s decision they can share that
with you.
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15
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BEST WAY
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KNOW US?
Check
us out
online to
see if we
are your
kind of
company!
We are a lot more than
just pretty trucks!
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