Yeh I figured it was b/c their settings are different.

I know that in 2003 if I got a file from them with TC in it, mine would automatically turn on, but I think in 2010 they stopped that.

I wasn't clear on your question. When you say "new doc" do you mean something I created or someone else created?

Honestly I think I even came across a new file I created that didn't have my TC settings, but I can't remember now.

If that's the case, that's terrible. It should be file wide this change, just like when you change the font & set it as a default.