Flatbed Business
 

What is the condition of the flatbed business now, :? good/bad?
I here some people complaining about pay and light loads.
I'm a newb and i'm going with a flatbed company. HELP!!!

As a new driver, and going to a flatbed company, I'm guessing you will be a company driver. Getting paid by the mile, (unless it's one of the small companies that pays percentage) you'll get the same pay no matter what the load pays. What you would be interested in, is how many loads there are. You could stop in at a few of the trucks stops in your area and check out the load boards. It'll be a CRT monitor with a listing of types of trailers needed and origin and destination for each, with a phone number to call. It will have a code (FT) for flatbed, or stepdeck (ST), or double drop (DD). If there aren't many loads for flatbed, then freight may be slow in your area. There are also lites you can go to online that will list loads. But, keep in mind that many companies, whether flat, van, or reefer, have their own brokerages and not all loads are listed. If they don't have, or won't have a truck available to haul it, they put it on the board.

You might also try to talk to some of the drivers from the company you plan to go with and see if they do a lot of sitting around, waiting for loads.

Flatbed Work
 

I'm going to TMC, I hear alot of self-promotion, just trying to get the real scoop about industry conditions. THX

Flat bed freight has been off for several weeks now, just like other types of freight. I have gotten more calls this week than I have in the last 2 or 3 weeks. Rates seem to still be somewhat depresses, but are a little higher this week on those with whom I have talked. Keep in mind that much of flat bed freight is tied to construction and manufacturing. When those markets are off, then flat bed freight is off. Freight runs in cycles. Right now, we are in a down cycle. As more owner operators either refuse to haul unprofitable loads or go out of business, rates will begin to rise.

Thanks, GMAN
I'll keep my ear to the road.