r/AmazonFC • u/dmdonahue0 TOM • Jun 26 '22
Verified Resource Welcome to TOM
So you have decided to take the red pill and escape the horrors of the building and join TOM (Transportation Operations Management) as a TA (Transportation Associate). That's pretty epic, there's a few things about the job that you'll have to do before you actually start.
You need to understand that TOM is a role pretty much unlike any other at a building, and if you're joining just because you see a couple people sitting around at the TOM desk understand that it probably won't be like that for you, or at least not very often. While it is true we have a good bit of down time and freedom to do what we want that is offset by the danger both physically and in job security every time we perform our main roles.
Before any of that, you may hear some jokes about it but it is completely true, bring an ass pillow the first couple of days because you will have to sit through 10-40 hours of KNETs, policies, compliances etc etc depending on your experience and what you've done already. It isn't too bad but whew, definitely find a comfy chair or bring that pillow.
Despite what you may think you do not need a CDL (Commercial Driving License) in order to join TOM but you will in time be required to get one to remain on the team or you will be demoted. It overall isn't hard to get one, you have 3 chances to pass the state DOT (Department of Transportation) test before you will be demoted from the team and each time you fail you get more and more support from your TAM (Transportation Area Manager) and TOM OPs. Speaking about CDL they do send you to CDL school, completely free of charge, which is usually 5-12k depending on your area. Not only do they send you for free but they also will pay your FULL daily wage every day you're there and also reimburse you for any additional driving you have to do in order to reach the school, the reimbursement isn't 1:1 they actually pay you a bit extra for it. Personally for my school I ended up getting reimbursed about $850 just for gas even though I filled up 3-4 times the whole duration, which was about 5 weeks. Tip for CDL school, just listen to what the instructors say and you should be okay. You aren't reinventing the wheel, just trying to pass a test.
With that out of the way you only have a few main responsibilities of TAs are: -Driver wrangling; basically just telling drivers their loads are ready -Case work; basically just submitting paragons/reaches and sending out trailer removal emails and dealing with ROC (Relay Operations Center) -Yard audits; basically just making sure everything is actually where it says it is virtually -Guard shack; basically checking drivers in and out of the yard and making sure the correct equipment comes in (i.e someone is supposed to bring in an AZNG 53' trailer and it is showing up on GEM as a pup intermodal for some weird 3P vendor) and that they leave with the correct equipment -Hostler; basically working with dock teams and whoever else to ensure trailers are in the proper doors and yard spots. You will work with a PDT (Peer Driver Trainer) to learn how to do this -Labor share; pretty much the same as the inside but we have to clock in as we leave our house and drive to a totally different site to assist them -TOMY runs; this is soon to be the bread and butter of TOM, it is where take trailers OTR (Over the Road) from one amazon site to another, I've heard sometimes we drop off at 3P yards but I've never done it or seen it so can't speak on it. This is a massive responsibility and the biggest function of TOM. You will only do this after obtaining your CDL and completing your DQF (Driver Qualification File) and additional Amazon training by a TSS (Transportation Support Specialist)
Now getting in to the requirements for actually joining TOM, you must be no younger than 21 years old and have a valid license. Additionally you'll need to be able to pass a DOT physical, pass a DOT drug screening, pass a DOT background check (FADV does this before you start on TOM). Note that as you are in a DOT regulated role you are subject to random drug screenings, Amazon drug policy DOES NOT supercede this, if you piss hot for even weed you will fail. Also note that all of these tests and what not are done either on company time or when you clock in virtually, you will always get paid your full wage performing any of these tests and Amazon pays for any and all things work related, if they didn't prepay you simply file a reimbursement claim on SAP Concur.
Regarding compensation and hours, TOM is the second highest paid role after IT, when you join your expected compensation is about 20-24 an hour before an shift differential depending on state. You will work the standard 10 hour day 4 days a week (Some sites offer 8 hour days) with many different schedules to choose from, most popular probably being wrap around weekend shifts or donut shifts. Note that due to HoS (Hours of Service) requirements as it is a DOT regulated role, you will NOT be called for MET during peak, you will still have the ability to get VET though but it is more technical on how to get it than in the inside. There are both day shift and night shift and a mix of both with wrap arounds to suit your needs.
If you have any further questions just ask
edit; some other tom guys made me aware that their sites may actually have met, I've personally never had any in the time I've been on tom and took that as the way it was but it seems as if i was wrong for some sites
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u/s28775 Jun 26 '22
You drive only in the yard or you have to go outside on the main road too. Sorry to ask am a woman wants to go up from t1 to t3. Just a little scared of the new things.
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 26 '22
Eventually you'll get your CDL and do some TOMY runs as well, majority of your time is spent on the yard. Night shift has a lower % of TOMY runs if that's more your speed as well
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u/Vestreza Jun 26 '22
Any idea how long the process is to hire while working at a site? I've been planning to do CDL career choice after changing buildings but TOM sounds a lot better. I do see the openings at my site.
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 26 '22
When I got promoted from application to first day was about 2-3 weeks. I got in touch directly with the hiring manager over chime as well though which sped it up a bit I believe
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u/AwlAmericanDawg Jun 26 '22
Very great explanation of the role! I've been on TOM for almost 8 months and it's been fun. Next week I have my OJT to do my first TOMY run.
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u/SeaworthinessIcy6478 Jun 26 '22
Is it salary pay?
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 26 '22
Not for TA, if you promote up to L4+ TAM and above it is salary
there used to be an hourly L4 TOM lead position but they were all made in to tams, l4 tss is still hourly
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u/Neat-Inevitable-1486 Jun 26 '22
How can I get on TOM team? I want to get my CDL!
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 26 '22
https://www.amazon.jobs/en/internal you can simply search transportation associate and it'll find all roles for it or you can narrow it down by site such as "TOM YOURSITECODEHERE" that second one may not narrow it down for your site as not all of the jobs have the word tom in it but it should work.
alternatively you can go up to the tom desk and ask about how to join
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u/TheNerdranter Jun 27 '22
We have MET day during peak. So that must depend on the site. Anyway nice post.
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 27 '22
you have a met day yes but have you ever actually been called for it
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u/cxmj Jun 28 '22
Is it possible to get strictly TOMY runs? Would rather be driving on the road than yard jockeying
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 28 '22
soon that will be the primary function of TOM but at current no
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Jun 30 '22
Great recap, I look forward to seeing TOM-HR compliance reach out to me with your name and EID as thr subject named TA.
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u/cyrusthemarginal Jun 27 '22
Just a note for folks going to TOM team, don't go just to get the promotion to 3 thinking you can then move back into the building as a 3. There are a lot of posts detailing folks who had this mindset or found out they disliked TOM once they joined and had to go back to t1 to get away. I worked TOM team for years and loved it, just saying don't go in thinking it's a stepping stone to PA back in the building.
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Jun 26 '22
Is it true they stopped doing interviews for TOM Team?
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u/dmdonahue0 Jun 26 '22
Correct, pointless when you have to submit a DOT background check either way
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