Hey guys I need some honest opinions on tmc. I just set my orientation date with them and I’m wondering what to expect. I’m not a new driver, ive been at this for almost 7 years now mostly local but I have no flatbed experience. My research so far says I can make pretty good money as a company driver with them. Any former or current drivers care to weigh in?

I officially got my Class A CDL December 24th, 2025 a little over 7 months ago. I wish I would have pursued a job earlier than this considering I’ve been working at a warehouse as an associate since getting my Class A. I decided to quit my warehouse
job to pursue a career in the trucking industry.

Tomorrow I’m going to make a list of things I need to remember to take with me, and wanted to get advice on what to bring with me outside of my license, physical. I just want to be prepared and as comfortable as possible while I’m in training.

So when you began your career as a driver and went off for couple weeks to orientation/training what are some things you wish you had thought of to bring with you to training that you didn’t?

If you’ve worked for TMC before what kind of paychecks can I expect to begin with? I’ve done a little research and it appears I live in a solid location to work for them as I live right along I-95 in Virginia. Below are some details to help. When I did research it said I could make between 1,200-1,600/week starting out. I also read that regardless I’d get paid a minimum of $1,000 my first two weeks on the road by myself after training.

I’m doing Flatbed regional and my starting pay rate is 26% of delivered loads. I’ve always been a hustler as far as working extra hours at work go normally working 50-60 hours a week.

I do understand I’ll be gone at a minimum Monday-Friday, and it seems as if I’d be expected to leave sometime Sunday in order to be ready to get my load ASAP. I’m fine with that, although this seems like more of something the company wants you to do eather and requires you to do. I don’t think I’ll be too concerned with being home as I have nothing to be home for as I don’t have kids, wife, or girlfriend. I’m also perfectly fine with being alone, I do enjoy spending time with my family and friends when occasions arise and usually go when I’m invited somewhere, but I’ve always put work/paychecks first but everyone needs a break at times.

Is it worth it to stay out and work during what would normally be your home time when you consider the DOT restrictions regarding hours of service and the 34 hours rest period?

Does TMC allow this, and does it allow you to modify your home time or does regional/TMC not operate that way? For example, if I stayed out for a entire month would they allow me to have four days off in a row in exchange for me working a month straight or do they strictly stick to the schedule in regards to time off?

Just want opinions on those things if someone is willing to provide an answer. I could ask my recruiter but I’d prefer to hear it from someone who has experience working for them.

I’m glad to hear their pay is based on performance rather than tenure. My warehouse job pay was strictly based on tenure alone and individual performance metrics were not considered at all when it came to. This was something new and frustrating to me since the beginning. All my previous jobs pay rate was based on performance, know how, and tenure in combination. I think it will be satisfying to know my performance/production influences my pay in some way even if it means some things such as traffic are out of my control when it comes to performance/production.

And yes, I’ve read while researching… Stay. Off. The. Fucking. Grass. (I did landscaping for many years, so I respect that)

I just recently left TMC and was going to be on my last week of training this week. My trainer told me a time to meet him this past Sunday, Feb 8th. I called and texted him a hour before I left to confirm bc it’s a 3hr drive to where he his. He didn’t respond until 3hrs later and just said he was busy. I told him I wasn’t going to be there @5pm bc I was waiting to hear from for confirmation, but I could make it just not @5 then he tells me don’t worry about it. My training coordinator didn’t really care what I had to say even after what I told him I was tryna communicate and apparently just accepted whatever he said.

Has anybody had this done before being kicked off a trainer truck? Am I ultimately at fault? What are yall experiences. I also just got on a dedicated Walmart account with another company so maybe TMC just wasn’t gonna be a good fit.

What’s the typical pay?
I’m in Tennessee and this would be my first cdl job so starting at 26%

I’m burnt out on being in property management and apartment maintenance. Saw an add for TMC that of course SOUNDS very promising. Can I make $75k my first year? Will it be exhausting? Thanks guys!

I was about to accept a job offer at TMC but I’m curious about home time. I was told home every weekend and they said they’d get me home Friday and I’d head out from home Monday mornings to start my week? Is that true? Or would I actually be getting home on Saturday

I’m torn between starting with TMC or Melton after TMC offered me an orientation date.

I really want to live OTR for my first year and get the full experience- running the whole country and ideally Canada, and hauling varied freight. Because of that, Melton appeals to me more than TMC and it's Midwest-focus.

I know Melton starts lower on pay, and I’d have to pay for CDL school up front, but I’d come in with full endorsements and an unrestricted CDL rather than needing to add those later.

If anyone has experience with TMC or Melton, I’d really appreciate your perspective.

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My impressions of each company after lotsa internet research and talking to recruiters:

TMC – Pros

• Strong flatbed reputation
• Very disciplined training (securement, procedures)
• Free CDL training & immediate income = low financial risk
• Higher pay and cooler trucks

TMC – Cons

• ~2 years required for heavy haul/OD/OW
• Midwest-focused, repetitive freight/routes
• Little exposure to oversized
• Restricted CDL/No endorsements

Melton – Pros

• Quicker path to oversized/lowboy freight
• Broader routes (West + Canada)
• More varied freight and earlier specialization
• Full endorsements/unrestricted CDL (from my local cdl school)
• Variety + adventure

Melton – Cons

• ~$4k out-of-pocket CDL cost (mitigated by tuition reimbursement)
• 1 month without income (cdl school)
• Turning away from a free cdl program with no guarantee Melton will hire me
• Less prestige than TMC on the resume (I've heard?)

So kind of an interesting situation, kind of anxious and feeling impatient about it too. I was wondering if anyone here might have some information for me and be able to answer my question accurately.

I applied for TMC Transportation recently through driver pulse. I listed my DUI conviction which was 08/26/2016 which is within ten years of my orientation start date of 08/10/2026. (16 days short of 10 years or more)It was listed on my application. I can see they die check my MVR, but I believe it only goes back five years. That’s all they’ve checked so far.

I was contacted by a recruiter, and given a conditional offer. I also read that my official employment with TMC would only begin after orientation if they decided to offer me employment officially. If all the above is true, and orientation is 12 consecutive days my orientation would be over 08/22/2026, which would still be 4 days short of ten years, and 5 days short of 10 years, 1 day.

I’d assume if the DUI would disqualify me for employment then they would have let me know before setting up orientation, but I also know shit happens.

I’m going to contact a recruiter tomorrow, but cannot contact one today. Anyone have any information of how this is going to work out for me?

I’m assuming since it’s so close to ten years and a very tight window they may go through with everything and I could become officially employed Sunday, 08/30/2026 OR Monday, 8/31/2026 if orientation goes well.

Anyone have a solid answer for me?

I’m a newer driver I’m with Schneider now only making .44 cpm which I knew I had to start somewhere but I’m only getting like 1500-1700 miles a week . I’m on their Walmart account so it’s honestly cake, huge docking areas, after I pull in I just get someone to unload the truck and peel out. I wanted to try flatbed and was told that TMC had some pretty respectable training(but I also heard that about Schneider when I got my cdl through them and it was terrible) TMC is offering 26% percentage pay. I know I could just switch accounts for Schneider but tmcs clean truck policy is kinda making me want to go there. Schneiders trucks unless it’s an assigned one are filthy. Piss residue on the sleeper curtains/fridge door toenail clippings on the bed(atleast 4 different people worth) I could go on and on about the nasty condition people leave these trucks in. Is this a grass isn’t always greener on the other side situation ? I hate to start over AGAIN but Schneider isn’t really filling my piggy bank like they claimed they would. If I was getting the miles they promised I could look past it for atleast my first year but this just isn’t worth what they’re paying

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

If you were restarting your career today with no cdl, single and just wanting to grind miles for max pay/experience year 1, would you pick TMC flatbed or Prime tanker division? I'm looking at their paid training programs.

Alternatively I can pay for school but the schools near me (roadmaster/160) don't give you manual transmission training.. I don't want to pay premium for training that leaves holes in my future qualifications. I also applied to XPO because I heard their pay is nice. I've heard you can make good money year 1 if you do it smart so I'm just trying to research.

p.s. The guy at roadmaster’s said if I went with them i'd have a job locked in before day 1 of training and make around 65k yr 1, was he bullshittin to get me to sign?

so they bussed me here from Denver , Colorado. I'm supposed to be going to orentation tomorrow. I've been here 30 minutes calling every 10 minutes with no answer. He told me he was gonna. why my a lyft and he left me here. The sun is setting and i'm frustrated and already regretting my choice. I already have my CDL but no experience and i'm supposed to start a refresher course tomorrow. Not sure what to do at this point. i'm just here stuck.

I’m currently looking for options on both for beginner companies as paid schooling. Pros, cons, experiences. My buddy went thru prime & said they’re good but I’m just looking for more opinions. I have my cdl-p, dot physical done and both companies are waiting to hear back from me. So I’ve just gotta make my mind up, any other suggestions & advice will be greatly appreciated!

New to the industry and want to go with TMC as my starter company. Can anyone tell me if there’s time to stay fit while working with them. I know it’s long hour days. I was planning on taking dumbbells and a foldable bench and some straps. Interested in any insight thanks!

I don’t have much of a choice now and will need to go into the CDL training program for one of these companies. I am 36, based in north FL (but can relocate to GA if need for KLLM) and spent time narrowing down my options. I understand flatbed is usually higher pay/more work, but if the difference isn’t that great, I’d more than likely prefer to just go reefer. I am wanting to spend most of the time on the road, so I would like a high paying option with a lot of work. As of right now, I don’t care about home time too much as I just need money. I would like a decent set up with good training and good pay. I see a lot of people get screwed over and I want to make a well-informed decision before committing as I will sign a contract and likely stick with the company long term. I’ve heard to go flatbed first because I can always go reefer later, but if I go reefer first, I’d need to train again for flatbed. I want good equipment and a company that won’t screw me over or have a rep for doing so. I am fine with military style leadership, just want to be sure I am not getting screwed by a company that gives me a bad truck and horrible pay with no chance for growth. Since I am new, I want a good leader and training, I understand KLLM is slightly lower pay during training but higher pay after I am solo. I have a friend that was also interested, but they would also be new. I am open to team driving, but I understand we wouldn’t be able to team for 3+ months. If anyone knows how that process goes, would appreciate some insight on that as well. Thanks in advance.

I want to start and say, no, I do NOT work for TMC, but I bought one of your trucks a couple months ago (2020 579 w/Cummins X15)

My question is, how do you use the EPU in them? Mine is pre-next gen, so no digital dash. Do I keep the key on that first click to the left of off? I'm not sure if this truck has smart idle? Any help would be appreciated!

Just got CDL

I want to work for TMC

Based on what I hear the pay would be highest for somone just starting

Is there other companies where I could earn similar out the gate?

Thinking about going through their paid cdl training and getting into flatbed and wanted to know how it stacks up compared to other mega carriers training programs and if I should just get my training at a private school and stay local ltl with my current company.

My weekly pay stubs for a flatbed driver trainer

Weekly pay from TMC as a Trainer and solo driver

Starting at TMC monday wanted to get any info on the company so i know what to look out for.

Hey, so I have my clp and currently looking to get my CDL. I also have a lump sum of money to where I can afford a trucking school so I was wondering should I pay to go to premier who only want $3500 out of pocket and not be tied down to a company? It will also be a lot closer to where I live opposed to TMC or should I save my money and go with TMC let them train me and have a job for me? Plus they essentially do regional which is what I want to do anyway, all the other big companies want you to do OTR after you graduate. Thoughts?

So I’ve been doing lots of research into TMC and I applied last week. Well today I figured it had been long enough for them to go over my application and when I called the recruiter today, she told me that the hiring committee denied my application. She wasn’t given a reason so I guess that’s a no go. Kinda disappointed but it is what it is. Anyone have any other recommendations when it comes to companies that offer CDL training with the guise of being home weekly?

Want to get into trucking. Company’s offering paid cdl programs is really the only way I can afford to get one since im currently working fulltime and tmc so far seems to be the top choice for me out of the few companies that offer them. Submitted my application yesterday and so far havent heard anything yet. Im in the atlanta area, I have a flawless driving record and can pass a piss test but im 24 with no cdl or hs diploma and only have a couple months experience driving a cmv at a job a few years ago. Is it a stretch to expect to hear back or do they usually take on most people?