Compare/Comment these Flat Bed Companies ?
 

Thinking I might...MIGHT.. go try flat bedding -- have 14+ years of driving experience--but no flat bed experience.

I've just talked to Milton today, have talked to Maverick and TMC(once upon a time).

So, I'd like to hear pro's and cons-- about these three:

Milton, Maverick, TMC


Milton recruiter claimed:

.42 cpm
$40.00- tarping pay( SAID 3 out of 4 of their loads--must be tarped)
$150.00 reimbursment on rental car( to get to Orientation-Tulsa,OK)
5-day orientation

(the funny thing was their phone system says: press 1 if you have less than 3 months experience, press 2 if "you're an experience driver- with 3 months or more")

TMC- been a long time since I talked to them-- slept since then.
(but I remember their phone system -- said -- I="if you're an experienced driver with 6 months.......")


Maverick- they first offered .41cpm then a second later recruiter said .40cpm-- was afraid to call back a third time.

Thats funny right there. :lol: :lol: ....Yup, wouldnt want to make a habit out of calling them back.
Maybe you should have them call you...then the CPM would go up. :lol:

IMO, you've got the top three flatbed outfits in country listed right there. In a lot of ways you could not go wrong with any of the three. Which one you pick depends upon what you are looking for.

All three will put you in nice newer equipment. All three will give you the opportunity to make a pretty good living. Depending upon where you live, Maverick will get you home pretty much every single weekend. Most of the guys I know at TMC get home regularly on the weekends also. Melton, however, most likely will not get you home every weekend. When I talked to them they offered 1 day off for each 7 days out and they claimed you would get home every 7-10 days. Most Melton drivers that I have talked to stay out for 2-3 weeks at a time. They did claim to make good money, but it didn't sound like they made any more than what I did at Maverick and I was home every weekend, usually for 2 full days. From what I've seen it really depends upon how much hometime you want and what color & make of truck you wanna drive.

Ok..some thought there for me to chew on... Melton is the only one i've really talked to any depth with with a recruiter( maybe because it was a young woman :wink: :roll: )

the problem spots that I saw with Melton- was the tarping 3 out of every 4 loads- that's 75% tarping and whereas they may pay $40.00 a pop. That's very hard work- especially when you're out of shape as I am( from 14years of just holding a steering wheel closing doors) Honestly, I'm worried if I can make it over the 2 day training period.
But, then again I do need more exercise-- for controlling my diabetes.
Second, she said Melton does not run any side kits- ie- no covered wagon- ie. no produce- No Produce= sounds to me like not much running to California or points were melons, pototoes, onions, etc would be hauled.

If tarping is not for you, Then I wouldn't consider TMC either.. I probably tarp 75% or greater of my loads.. And the $40 that Melton pays is by far better than TMC's $10. So weigh you options and decide what you are really looking for.

I am happy with TMC, although they have their flaws. Ever company out there has good and bad about them, so decide what you can put up with, and go for that company..

Best of Luck..

I can't speak for Melton or Maverick because I don't know specifics on them as far as pay, etc but they're both reputable companies. I haven't checked out Melton's site but I know Maverick has a pretty nice site. You mentioned that you have no flatbed so that means no matter who you pick you'll probably need a couple weeks of training. At TMC if you have at least one year verifiable otr then it's just one week, M-F of orientation and 2 weeks with a trainer for the flatbed end of things. We have a nice site outlining our orientation, etc if you want some more info at www.tmctrainingcenters.com

Good luck to you!

I wouldn't just limit myself to these three. There are alot more flatbed carriers out there. Bigger isn't always better.

Got any more names I can research-

I was looking at Builders Transport too

Would like to find one that pays in the at or above .40cent range, runs west,
doesn't tarp 75%, doesn't require haz-mat, and that will get me home (allow truck take home) 3days every 3 weeks to Mountain Home, Ar.

[quote="headborg"]Got any more names I can research-

I was looking at Builders Transport too

Would like to find one that pays in the at or above .40cent range, runs west,
doesn't tarp 75%, doesn't require haz-mat, and that will get me home (allow truck take home) 3days every 3 weeks to Mountain Home, Ar.[/quote

Here on the home page you can search flatbed companies.

How about Boyd Bros

As far as sidekits go, very few companies have them, and TMC and Maverick only use them on a dedicated type division. You may find some smaller local side kit companies, but none of the major ones. I agree with redsfan here as for hometime, but I know Maverick tarps a crap load too. Tarping goes with flatbedding, if you cant tarp, then stay away from any of the main-street flat bed carriers, youll have to go almost local.

Also, $40 tarp pay is good for a company driver, and for 1hr work at most, its well worth it.

I ran for TMC in the Long Haul Division, tarped only on average 1 out of ever 4 loads, and several were only partials (although there is not really any less work, partials can sometimes be more work!). TMC has some excellent dedicated opputunities, that one could work themselves into, depending on your geographic location and work ethic!

A lot of Maverick loads, according to their drivers are already tarped (covered) and the drivers just finish adding the bungees!

Melton is also a good outfit, have heard few complaints! The biggest one is they keep you out for a few weeks at a time, except for certain areas.

Passmore is (or was) a good outfit, mostly southern tier states, although they were bought out be Prime last year. Have heard some gripes since then, but they still have the big Pete's.

One just has to decide what works for them! No one company will fit 100%, but you can get close if the research is done!

My brother is with Melton, has been for over a year now, hes making .42cpm with 2 yrs exp., new Volvo, running about 2500-2800 miles each week average. Hes on the road full time, maybe takes a month off max throughout the year, but thats his choice - they send him home when he asks. His only complaint is the trucks all only run 65mph and hes one of those guys who always wants to haul balls everywhere.. :roll:

Hmm, better get my speedo calibrated again! Had 3 Melton trucks blow my doors off day before yesterday, running together! I was empty, and could have sworn I was doing 73mph. Hmm, Mechanic!!

They just started doing it, so chances are good that those trucks haven't gone in yet.

Nice avatar btw (not only do I love truck drivers, I also love horses)

Thanks, That was actually 2 photo's of my now 15 year old Thoroughbred, in the act of play fighting with another T-bred. The images were cut, cropped and overlaid over an actual sunset picture at my property in Photoshop! He turns quite a few head when cleaned up and in full spirit!

yeah, that's what I'm trying to do.... they should design a computer program like E-harmony for Truckers looking for that perfect match.....across 129 areas of compatibility....

There's just so many you got to weed thru-- fortunately/ or mis-fortunately
usually the easiest is discovering that You yourself arn't qualified. Then there's hiring area.... but all this research is much better than quiting a job....travel to orentation and discover on day 3 something minor to them is a big road block.

Example; last day orientation at Shaffer- this solo male driver prequal driver was there with his wife( who always rode with him) are setting there -- when the safety man announces you have to have a bonafide Marriage Licence for your spouse to ride with you--- He asked if a certificate of common law marriage would work......was told NO.....him and his "wife" stood up-- he pitched the keys to the man--- and had wasted a week.

WHAT? Which drivers are you talking to? Where are these loads? I have NEVER seen a pre tarped load at Maverick. Preloaded trailers sometimes, but never pre tarped.

OK, I thought about his after I walked out of the room.
Specialized Division (glass haulers) most loads pre tarped.
Regular flatbed no pre tarps.

there is a little company in Dardanelle ar. you might find... no web site just call information...for Raines trucking....flatbed regional....wonderman

Here is another one you might contact HB....if you haven't already found something else.

http://www.kelworth.com/ForDrivers/t...7/Default.aspx



Kelworth Trucking Co. is a flatbed Over-the-Road carrier operating throughout the continental United States. Our corporate headquarters are located in Poteau, OK, in close proximity to the I-40 corridor. This enables us to move materials quickly and easily, and do business with shippers and receivers located throughout the country.



I see their drivers all the time...always happy...often got a sweety along too.

@ STAN

HEY, what outfit do you drive for anyway.. I've forgotten now?