TMC vs MAVERICK Trucking

semo63936 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 03:18 PM

I am fresh out of trucking school and live in Southern part of Missouri. Never considered Trucking as a way to make a living untill my job was moved over seas, but anyways, my question is this, i have two companies that have gave me a pre employment letter. TMC and Maverick, which company is best? Does anyone have any other useful advice for a newbie in this industry? Any help would be greatly apprecitated.

HeadRush · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semo63936

I am fresh out of trucking school and live in Southern part of Missouri. Never considered Trucking as a way to make a living untill my job was moved over seas, but anyways, my question is this, i have two companies that have gave me a pre employment letter. TMC and Maverick, which company is best? Does anyone have any other useful advice for a newbie in this industry? Any help would be greatly apprecitated.

The first thing you should be asking yourself is why pick flatbedding? I've heard good and bad things about both companies, even trained w/ TMC. There's more money to be made elsewhere. A lot of new drivers think that they're going to get into these shiny new trucks and make big money. Some probably will, but they're going to work extremely hard, not get home much, and honestly it's not worth it. Folding tarps in the wind, rain, and in freezing weather is no fun. Sitting at a truck stop for a day or two waiting on a load and not getting paid for it is even worse. Right now TMC is surveying all of its ex-drivers wondering why their turnover is so high and I don't know a lot about Maverick. I've heard to stay away from its glass division where they try to send a lot of their new drivers. Why? Bad equipment, getting sent into Canada w/ no authorized fuel stops, etc. Take your time when looking for a company to get your experience from. Trust me, you want to go somewhere that you'll be able to finish your training and get some experience so that you don't have to get paid as a trainee again when you decide to leave for another company.

SevenOfNine · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 06:24 PM

There is some great input on "questions to ask" thread located Truck Driving School - Over The Road Truck Driver Forums

CFer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 08:59 PM

Welcome to Truckingboards and good luck in your future.

Johnnyr33 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadRush

The first thing you should be asking yourself is why pick flatbedding? I've heard good and bad things about both companies, even trained w/ TMC. There's more money to be made elsewhere. A lot of new drivers think that they're going to get into these shiny new trucks and make big money. Some probably will, but they're going to work extremely hard, not get home much, and honestly it's not worth it. Folding tarps in the wind, rain, and in freezing weather is no fun. Sitting at a truck stop for a day or two waiting on a load and not getting paid for it is even worse.

Headrush is absolutely right about every thing he said about flatbedding I will also add.I worked for Maverick for 6mo and it is by far the worst job I've ever had. Listening to the numbers they gave me I should have been making 10 thousand more per year then what I making at the time. It turned out I made less.I also had significantly less home time.They also have a system set up that amounts to rewarding drivers for reporting on each other.( I called it the Maverick Totem Pole). I can't speak of TMC but have heard rumors that it is pretty much the same.

Hope this helps & Good luck with whatever you choose
Johnnyr33

semo63936 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 01:48 PM

I am learning by leaps and bounds by this message board and from all you that have replied thanks a million. I am considering maverick over TMC becuase maverick is based closer to my home, and becuase they tell me I will be running an area that covers Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. I am learning that i should not believe everything I hear from these people but i also feel like I am in a catch 22. The school said I needed to hook up with someone within the first few months after completing my class for the simple fact that if you wait to long most companies will want you to go back for a 1 or 2 week touch up class before they will hire me, is there any truth to that? I have a few months of uneployment left, so should I hurry myself? Another thing maverick tells me they will get me home every Friday, which also sounds good becuase i have 2 young children at home and would like to be home some. I have heard about flat bedding being hard work and I really don't mind it as long as i get the miles and get home every weekend. They all say they are family orienented, but how can you tell which companies out there really do what they say? Any opinions from you guys on which companies out there would be a good start for my over the road experience? This industry is huge, alot more so than I ever dreamed. Just in my short time in school we had at least 10 recruiters talk with us, TMC, USA, Heavy Duty, Wernier, Arrow, and the list goes on, thats enough to make a guys head swim. I have a good work history and should have no troubles getting on with anyone out there but gosh where to start thats the BIG question, like headrush said you want to pick a good one to finish my tranning. Anyways thanks again guys, your advise is priceless.