Is Flatbed Trucking the way to go?

[South Bound]

Will they hire a guy right out of school to do flatbed trucking?
I like to work, and I have worked constuction, is this the route I should go. Pros and cons Please.


By the way, if these post rooms are any sign of what truckers are like, I have no doubt in my mind I want to be in this industry, you guys are some of the most helpfull, friendly guys out there. Thanks

[JBenson2]

TMC hired me after I completed Truck Driving School. Flatbedding is more difficult than dry vans and reefers, but the customer appreciation is what caught my attention.

On my first pickup during week #1 of training, the customer invited us into his office and shook our hands. He said if we needed any extra help with the fork lift operator, all we had to do was ask. There were two fork lift drivers who loaded our truck quickly - 13 feet high. After they placed the smoke tarp on top of the load, they rolled out a special ladder for us. We did not have to sit around and wait for anything.

And we had a similar experience when we dropped off the load. The fork lift operator was going on his lunch break, but he agreed to wait until he took our load off the truck. (96 bundles of anti-erosion netting).

You can see photos of this load and others at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbenson...7594390549938/

[shadowsknight]

When I was a reefer hauler I loved the comradery from the drivers that I ran into at the same places over and over again. I lost that when I pulled a dry van for 12 years. I found it again pulling a flatbed. It helps that I run within the same state all the time. But lifetime flatbed drivers are very different then van drivers. Flatbed drivers are physically fit (for the most part). We have to be since our jobs are very physical. It's hard to throw around a 150# tarp.
When I first starting pulling a flatbed 7 months ago I thought it was too hard and almost quit. Now I have friends. Real friends. We sit down for dinner together. Run together. We help each other out sometimes. It's not uncommon to see a driver from one company help another companies driver fold their tarps.

[Taglio]

When I was a reefer hauler I loved the comradery from the drivers that I ran into at the same places over and over again. I lost that when I pulled a dry van for 12 years. I found it again pulling a flatbed. It helps that I run within the same state all the time. But lifetime flatbed drivers are very different then van drivers. Flatbed drivers are physically fit (for the most part). We have to be since our jobs are very physical. It's hard to throw around a 150# tarp.
When I first starting pulling a flatbed 7 months ago I thought it was too hard and almost quit. Now I have friends. Real friends. We sit down for dinner together. Run together. We help each other out sometimes. It's not uncommon to see a driver from one company help another companies driver fold their tarps.

Some great stuff there, but more and more a thing of the past...Its rare for someone to come up and say: 'You look like you need some help'.
All in all flatbedders are a different breed, stringy as hell and never sweat!! It a bit more exciting to pull a flat, eventhough sometimes that excitement stems from extra work, scary loads and extra hemroids...
I liked pulling a flat, but I happy now...

[Aligator]

If I was a lot younger and was going to make a 20 + year career of driving, I'd go flatbedding - maybe even heavy hauling. But I'm an older guy and will hang up the jockstrap at the end of 2010.

[topper]

i got on with a company right out of school. flatbedding is diffent the straps is all that holds the load on and it's pretty nerve racking knowing the impact of not doing it right. I have only been out on my own for a week or two and the tarps are a major pain in the rump, but I think in time I will begin to like it. I like the life style and the people I've met so far. I run pretty much florida and south georga so I'm sure I'll meet others and get a repore like others who have responded. we haul alot of building materials and so far bagged sand is the worst cause it settles and you have to pull over alot and tighten the straps, but other than that it's ok.

[GMAN]

I usually recommend that anyone wanting to get into pulling a flat bed start out pulling a van unless they have been driving for a while. There are some on this board who have apparently started out pulling a flat bed rather than a van. I believe that both TMC and Maverick have training programs for inexperienced drivers. My thinking is that it is easier to concentrate on learning one thing at a time. Once you get used to driving and hone your skills, you can start learning how to pull a flat bed. I still think that would be the best way to start, but some who have done it are more able to tell you about how well it worked for them. My primary concern is learning proper securement.

[nrvsreck]

I agree somewhat with GMAN. For some guys it's better to concentrate on just the driving first (that includes driving, shifting, maintenance, air brakes, hazmat, time managment, customer frustrations, DOT regs, etc.). Some others, though, appreciate starting out with a bit more responsibility. If you're a big boy, you can do it. Just don't get complacent or try to take on crazy loads that you're not confident about. If you're not sure about something, don't hesitate to ask a fellow driver or even call your safety guy for advice. There's no doubt in my mind that a responsible noob can do it and do it well. 8)

[stevedb28]

I am one of those noobs they are talking about. I am training right now with Maverick. I am still riding with a trainer. And, Gman has a valid point about learning one thing at a time. I like multitasking as my last job was as a teller supervisor at a bank before I took on the flatbed challenge. From what Ive seen so far is anyone can learn both at the same time, but you have to take your time and think things through. And Maverick doesnt scimp on their training (nor does TMC from what I've heard). But I have heard of other flatbed companies not offering any securement training and telling their drivers just to watch or ask a Maverick or TMC driver. And even if you have driven for years, thats a bad company policy (if you ask me). Dont let the fact that you have to learn more at once be your deciding factor. You have 6 weeks with a driver trainer before you go out on your own. And if you have questions, I know Mavericks safety man says to call him any time 24/7.

[Roadhog]

I haul Icebox...but I've pulled some Flatty loads. I just didn't fit in too well. I didn't have mirror sunglasses, a sheepskin vest, a cinnimon toothpick, and my Tractor didn't have dual CB antennas angled forward, with the Taz grill cover.....oh....and I didn't have the ballz to wanna drive 85.

[Aligator]

I haul Icebox...but I've pulled some Flatty loads. I just didn't fit in too well. I didn't have mirror sunglasses, a sheepskin vest, a cinnimon toothpick, and my Tractor didn't have dual CB antennas angled forward, with the Taz grill cover.....oh....and I didn't have the ballz to wanna drive 85.

Well, just thank God you had those pointy toed cowboy boots! That's prolly the only thing that got you the job.

[GoldiesPlating]

I agree with all that's been said here for the MOST part. One thing that STILL gets under my skin is when someone (ESPECIALLY a top poster and experienced driver with good advice like G-Man) advises to work van then switch to flats. THIS IS WHERE SOME DRIVER CHURN COMES FROM! People complain about driver turnover and then the same people advise drivers to "use" one company and then dump them for something else.
If a guy truly believes he wants to try flatbedding, LET HIM. He should train with a GOOD company like TMC or Maverick and by doing so, will learn proper and safe load securement making his job a lot easier.
THEN if he can't hack it, by all means switch. Don't go to a company with PLANS on leaving. That's just wrong.

[GoldiesPlating]

I haul Icebox...but I've pulled some Flatty loads. I just didn't fit in too well. I didn't have mirror sunglasses, a sheepskin vest, a cinnimon toothpick, and my Tractor didn't have dual CB antennas angled forward, with the Taz grill cover.....oh....and I didn't have the ballz to wanna drive 85.

HAHAHA funny. Hey wait a minute..... My truck can't do 85 EITHER!

[yoopr]

I haul Icebox...but I've pulled some Flatty loads. I just didn't fit in too well. I didn't have mirror sunglasses, a sheepskin vest, a cinnimon toothpick, and my Tractor didn't have dual CB antennas angled forward, with the Taz grill cover.....oh....and I didn't have the ballz to wanna drive 85.

watta Wus :P

[nrvsreck]

I agree with all that's been said here for the MOST part. One thing that STILL gets under my skin is when someone (ESPECIALLY a top poster and experienced driver with good advice like G-Man) advises to work van then switch to flats. THIS IS WHERE SOME DRIVER CHURN COMES FROM! People complain about driver turnover and then the same people advise drivers to "use" one company and then dump them for something else.
If a guy truly believes he wants to try flatbedding, LET HIM. He should train with a GOOD company like TMC or Maverick and by doing so, will learn proper and safe load securement making his job a lot easier.
THEN if he can't hack it, by all means switch. Don't go to a company with PLANS on leaving. That's just wrong.

Exactly. I knew I wanted to haul flatbed from day one so it was an easy choice. I knew it'd be more responsibility, but I knew I could do it and also knew I could never settle for hauling a van. I'm still glad I got the experience, especially with a great company like TMC, and am glad I went back to it with Passmore. Once a flatbedder, always a flatbedder. 8)

[Ian Williams]

I agree with all that's been said here for the MOST part. One thing that STILL gets under my skin is when someone (ESPECIALLY a top poster and experienced driver with good advice like G-Man) advises to work van then switch to flats. THIS IS WHERE SOME DRIVER CHURN COMES FROM! People complain about driver turnover and then the same people advise drivers to "use" one company and then dump them for something else.
If a guy truly believes he wants to try flatbedding, LET HIM. He should train with a GOOD company like TMC or Maverick and by doing so, will learn proper and safe load securement making his job a lot easier.
THEN if he can't hack it, by all means switch. Don't go to a company with PLANS on leaving. That's just wrong.

Its a two way street. Many van & reefer companies "use" new drivers by making them run on a team truck and calling it "training" when the the other person is in the sleeper. A lot of opportunity opens up once you get past the 1st 4-6 months of driving. There is nothing wrong with using a Swift/Schneider/CRE etc as the 1st rung on the career ladder. The way they set their pay scale up its almost like the WANT people to leave.

Its not wrong, its capitalism in its pure form. The era of employees being loyal to companies and vise-versa is long dead. For my generation its the free agent labor market.

To quote Adam Smith:
"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we can expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."

Or something a bit more recent Ice-T: "Don't hate the player hate the game"

Just my $.02

[GMAN]

I agree with all that's been said here for the MOST part. One thing that STILL gets under my skin is when someone (ESPECIALLY a top poster and experienced driver with good advice like G-Man) advises to work van then switch to flats. THIS IS WHERE SOME DRIVER CHURN COMES FROM! People complain about driver turnover and then the same people advise drivers to "use" one company and then dump them for something else.
If a guy truly believes he wants to try flatbedding, LET HIM. He should train with a GOOD company like TMC or Maverick and by doing so, will learn proper and safe load securement making his job a lot easier.
THEN if he can't hack it, by all means switch. Don't go to a company with PLANS on leaving. That's just wrong.

I am sorry to get under your skin, GoldiesPlating. I think some drivers can learn several things at one time, but if a newbie has never driven a truck or straight shift, there is a lot to learn, just about the truck. I think some could and do well starting with a flat bed, but some will not. I don't think you will find much churning, as you put it, between segments of the trucking industry. Most people leave a company to go with another pulling the same type of trailer or freight. I don't see that much cross-over. I think it is best to learn one skill at a time, but there are always exceptions. If someone really wants to pull a flat bed they will probably find a way to make it work. At least with TMC and Maverick, the trainee is assigned to a trainer who will work with them to hopefully teach them about proper securement techniques. Most new drivers and newbies that I see posting here are already talking about leaving the company who trains them before they start work. I think some of these trainee's would do well by staying with the company who originally hired them.

[yoopr]

The era of employees being loyal to companies and vise-versa is long dead.

No it isn't

[GoldiesPlating]

I am sorry to get under your skin, GoldiesPlating. I think some drivers can learn several things at one time, but if a newbie has never driven a truck or straight shift, there is a lot to learn, just about the truck. I think some could and do well starting with a flat bed, but some will not. I don't think you will find much churning, as you put it, between segments of the trucking industry. Most people leave a company to go with another pulling the same type of trailer or freight. I don't see that much cross-over. I think it is best to learn one skill at a time, but there are always exceptions. If someone really wants to pull a flat bed they will probably find a way to make it work. At least with TMC and Maverick, the trainee is assigned to a trainer who will work with them to hopefully teach them about proper securement techniques. Most new drivers and newbies that I see posting here are already talking about leaving the company who trains them before they start work. I think some of these trainee's would do well by staying with the company who originally hired them.

Nahh YOU don't but hearing that "general advice" does. But I guess you ARE right. There are some "less than talented" drivers out there.

[Root]

This is my story, and my story only, South Bound....
At 49 I had to leave a lifetime o ranching and 'get a real job'. Work never scared me, sitting doing nothing does. I won my PTDI CDL in a 7 wk course, all Van, no flats. The training ground was the mean streets o Houston, TX. I had 2 Driver Trainers get serious about talking me out of flatbedding. Said it was Dirty Work.
You did construction? Almost cowboyin', less manure. :wink:
I hired on to flatbed - 60+ days 'outta school'. And I never looked back.
1.6yrs solo. I'm lovin' it. You either want it or you don't - I say go for it.
You Will Learn Securement, and COmmon Sense goes a long way.
Be cautious. Be wide open to learn.
Go get it.
Just turned 51. They'll have to pry me off that big nasty open trailer, tarps n all!