first post...any knowledge to share ?especially from new dri
 

I`m very strongly considering making a career change from automotive service into the driving industry.I`m rapidly approaching 40 and have an excellent driving record and clean background.I`m married and have two great girls age 18 and 14 ( one sophomore in college..other sophomore in HS.)My wife is supportive of this idea and we`ve talked of even team driving in a few years after our youngest is into college.
I`ve been reading every relevant post I can find on several different sites,but this seems to be the best one by far.
I`m interested in flatbedding for several different reasons,one is I dont mind to do physical labor and can stand hot and cold weather,another is because flatbedding seems to pay better than vans ,and lastly just because everybody else pulls vans.
I`m leaning toward TMC or Maverick and have sent applications to both.
The recruiter I spoke with at TMC says my app. looks good and to call him when I get enrolled in a CDL school ...( he seemed a little bit reluctant to spend any more time on the phone with me until I was in "school")
The recruiter I spoke with at Maverick seems like he is really interested and is ready to help.They obviously also have their own training program ,which is a big plus for me.I realize they sometimes have a "wait "for their training...but it would seem to be worth the wait according to several posts on this board.Mavericks pay and benefits seem comparable to TMC..., and Maverick allows riders ,(also a big plus for me).
I dont intend to rekindle the TMC Vs. Maverick fire but am just looking for input from drivers who are "in the know"especially flatbedders that have recently been through the process with any of the companies that hire inexperienced drivers,but especially from those of you who have info on Maverick and or TMC.
I`m in the Louisville/Lexington Ky area and am open to suggestions about other companies as well.
Thanks for your time and all replies will be appreciated.

Re: first post...any knowledge to share ?especially from new
 

I can recall sitting in the cab of my truck watching an intrepid flatbedder tarping his load in a cold, driving rain. I was at the dock hooked to my dryvan watching TV in the warm comfort of the big truck while being loaded. This dude was out there climbing all over the rig with a tarp in a downpour cursing and swearing the entire time.

After two solid hours he finally got it in place. And by then the load was soaked anyway. All that for a lousy $20? LOL!! If in fact he even got paid for it. That story says it all. Part of the job you say? Part of YOUR job, maybe.

Flatbeds? Throwing tarp? No thanks, not interested.

Thanks for the insight...I realize the weather can SOMETIMES be a negative.
I was looking for a little more help on the decision between companies and other drivers experience with schools and such.
Thanks for the response anyway !

Hmmmmm......Your in "Automotive" service? Are you a Mechanic? If your a mechanic...are you a "Good" mechanic?

If you are..then I would suggest you get certified in at least 2 of the Diesel engine categories, then find a 2 or 3 bay shop, with plenty of parking area, and open up your own service company. You will struggle just as much for the first few month's, as you would as a "Newbie" driver...but...as your service reputation grew...so would your business..or not...and you will get to watch your 14 yro, become an adult.

I did flatbedding for three years with six months of heavy haul. Yes flatbedding is extreme labor sometimes and sometimes its not. Yes it can be difficult when its either raining or snowing, but even more difficult when the wind is blowing especially if your tarping a load. But there is nothing wrong in taking pride in your work. Some people don't mind doing labor, some hate it. If you like to work and take pride in it, then go right ahead an be a flatbedder. TMC is one of the good companies out there.

Orangtxguy


I am an ase certified master auto tech...been at this for over 20 years,13 at a GM dealer,8 in my own shop.
I`m growing tired of peoples complaining,@#$itching about prices and so on and so forth.
TIME FOR A CHANGE!
BTW my 14 year old is very mature and knowledgable for her age.


Driveline,
Thanks for the reply,what do you know about maverick ?

Really don't know to much about Maverick like all the rest, have heard both positive and negative about them. When it comes down to it, its all of what your looking for as far as training, pay, hometime, equipment. Maverick and TMC both have good equipment.

Flatbedding pays better then driving a van?

I was pulling in an average of $1000 a week pulling my van. Take home that is.

Try talking to Flatbedfred on here. He works or worked for TMC for some time and could give you the in's and out's of the company. Hope this helped. BOL

Blinddriver..
I`m just quoting what I am reading on here ...most van companies who also train seem to start out about 26-34 cpm vs. 34-39 cpm for some of the better flatbed companies...

Did the same thing 18 months ago,Have not looked back.
Was a Harley-Davidson Mechanic ,Sales and in management.
After 30 years ,I went to a CDL school and started driving (Dry Van).
For me running NJ,NY,(Long Inand) CT,PA,De. and getting
paid by the hour was the way to go.
I have talked to alot of different company drivers and yesterday
sent in a app for Maverricks Specialized Divison.Now it's wait and see.
You said your wife may team with you in a few years,
you may want to look into Expedited/Custom Critical.
Good Luck.

I have spoken with drivers from both companies. Most seem to be happy with their choice. Keep in mind that you can hear positive and negative information about any carrier. If you live near a truck stop, you may want to spend some time hanging around and talking to some of their drivers. The best information will come from those currently employed with them. There are some on the forum who drive for both carriers. One other note. Most of the time if it is raining or snowing and you need to tarp, it is done indoors. Sometimes it isn't. If it needs to be tarped, it is usually because the shipper doesn't want to take a chance on his freight getting wet. Good luck.

if you dont wanna tarp cant you just haul equipment i.e. farm tractors or pipes??

I drove for Maverick for 10 months.I left for personal reasons.Maverick is a great company. They are a very safe company.You won't find a better load securement class anywhere. They have top notch equipment.The only thing is if you go through their training.You will be trained in an automatic truck,after training and you get a truck assignment,it will be an automatic. If you leave Maverick and go to another company that has standard shift trucks,you might have a problem. That is the only big thing to consider with them. They will try to get you home on weekends. Sometimes it doesn't work out,but that is trucking. They do have a rider policy.Maverick trucks have a single bunk.Can get kind of small with 2 people. Hope this kind of helps you out.You mentioned about maybe running team with your wife eventually,Maverick doesn't have any teams.Even during your OTR training with them they will not run you and your trainer as a team.

if the trainer only has one bunk where does the other sleep at????

You can make even better money hauling reefers around the country......so long as you don't get caught!!
:party:

Let me clear up one thing.The company trucks have a single bunk.The trainer trucks are double bunks but being a mid roof, there isn't alot of room between the top of the truck and the top bunk.