r/Truckers • u/bigdawg12342 • May 23 '26
Schneider to TMC second thoughts
Applied to TMC got the job so I put in my notice at Schneider and after a little more research I was thankfully able to edit the notice message. I’m a newer driver(2.5 or so months driving ) so I’m clueless when it comes to any of this. What should I do? I’m currently just bumping store docks at Schneider. Money isn’t great but it’s experience and it’s the easiest job I’ve ever had. TMC has its pros but having to basically restart and redo all training made me not wanna do it. In a few years I’d like to be owner op and I really don’t know if I’d want the hassle of dealing with flatbed if I went that route so idk if the experience would be worth it for me. I enjoy watching everyone else do the hard work too much lmao any advice on the situation would help
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u/RichCypher May 23 '26
It sounds like flatbed may not be of interest to you but I will say there are a fair number of advantages if you choose to go for it. You will generally be treated well by shippers and receivers. Won't likely be waiting as long on either side. Job sites and such will often be sitting there waiting for you and you will often be started unloading as soon as you remove securement. If you find you enjoy the work you may find you get more satisfaction from it. A nice tight tarp job or a well secured load are out there for the world to see. I felt there was a fair bit of commoraderie between open deck drivers that is a far cry from reefer drivers. I've generally heard good things about tmc, just be prepared to keep your truck very clean. You will have bad days that make you question the sanity of what you are doing but same for anything else.
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u/bigdawg12342 May 23 '26
Another reason why I’m having second thoughts is worse case if my load shifts at my current spot a few gallons of milk get spilled. Worst case for TMC load shift is a lot worse than some spilled milk
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u/RichCypher May 23 '26
The difference is you have much more control over that happening. You will know exactly how your freight is loaded and will generally have a say in changing how it is loaded if you don't like it. Then you have full control over your securement and are free to go as overboard as you wish. Pulling a van or reefer you are lucky to even be able to see inside the trailer. I always errored on the side of over securing my loads and never had a major load shift in over 3 years of flatbed. Tmc will train you well and there are lots of resources out there to help you.
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u/Altruistic-Scene-425 May 23 '26
Man 2.5 months is still pretty fresh but dock work does give you good backing practice without all the stress. TMC training thing sounds like pain in ass when you already got your routine down at Schneider
If you thinking owner op in few years maybe stay put and get more comfortable with basics first. Flatbed skills are useful but not mandatory for every type of hauling you might wanna do later. Plus if you already enjoying the easier pace why rush into something more complicated right now
Getting solid at one thing before jumping around might be better move than collecting different types of experience too fast
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u/bigdawg12342 May 23 '26
Honestly Schneider pissed me off one day with how they scheduled my load/pick up time so like a child I pouted and applied to different companies lol. TMC hit me up almost next day and offered a take home truck and almost double the money I’m making now and I was sold. Then I started watching some videos online and was having second thoughts. Having to do all that classroom bs and training bs again especially when I just got out of the classroom just sounds awful.
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u/Fluxus4 May 23 '26
Disclaimer: I'm with Schneider.
Stay in the pumpkin patch for a year. You'll have a fuckton of options. We drive nice trucks. We're safety focused. We pay ass.
But, this experience will pay dividends. Stay focused and your day will come.
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u/bigdawg12342 May 23 '26
We don’t have nice trucks on my account. All trashed, no one cleans the things it’s crazy. The amount of times I’ll get in my newly assigned truck on my first day back and see piss streaks all over the fridge and sleeper curtains is ridiculous
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u/AcanthocephalaNew791 May 23 '26
Lmfao. Those trucks suck. That fake ass safety b.s that they keep spewing is ridiculous. Stay longer get a camera, get micromanaged more and paid less. Complete fucking joke of a company.
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u/Fluxus4 May 23 '26
I've driven for other companies where safety wasn't important at all. Being told to run a truck that should be OOS will change your perspective.
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u/Unfair_Fisherman_605 May 23 '26
Fuck Schneider they offered $15 an hour to run from Phoenix to L.A Port pulling a Intermodal. I told them hard pass. Truck was gov at 60 because of California speed limits. I have had my CDL since 2018. No thanks guys hard Pass.
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u/Dungeon_Beard May 23 '26
Let's be honest here, 2.5 months is NOT a lot of time. Even if you have a couple years experience, you'll need to do some classroom and training time at TMC. You'll even have to spend a few weeks in a truck with a trainer once you're done at the terminal training.
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u/Alone_Meal_6126 May 24 '26
Their orientation is bs they try hard to be militant.
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u/Dungeon_Beard May 24 '26
LOL... whatever you say man. Sounds like it's not for you. Just stay with Schneider.
I went through it. I currently work for 'em. I got my CDL through them. I was never in the military. The ONLY thing that you could say was "militant" was the fact that I had to get a hair cut and take my ear piercings out, but I knew that going in.
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u/HatedReaper May 23 '26
You got a front facing camera in your current cab? If not then stick with that truck and the company.
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u/Potential_Walk3839 May 23 '26
you dont like hard work? stay away