What are the best companies to get flatbed experience with before going O/O?

Depends; do you want regular flatbed or heavy haul? I know of 3 oversize/heavy haul that hire new CDL grads. For regular flatbed, pick one that runs 48 states so you can get the all weather/all terrain experience. Melton Truck Lines, System Transport, Halvor Lines run 48 states. Where is your location; put it on your profile so we know the hiring area you live in.

 

I Know Mcelroy is strictly flatbed, and are based out of Cuba, Alabama. I was originally looking at them before I chose Averitt instead.

 

Heavy haul companies that hire CDL grads!?!? Yikes

 

Rinaudo Enterprises
Transport National
Leavitt's Freight Service

 

I have never heard of any of them haha.

 

Yes Just because they have heavy haul, they also have other loads to haul and then can train the new driver on doing things their way.

 

Boyd just announced a pay hike for drivers up to about 54cnts/mile I think,,

 

Thats actually pretty smart.

As we get older and get used to doing things 'our' way... we often pick up a lot of bad habits that we think are ok, yet are absolutely not ok with how they want things done.

I started in trucking very young. 20 yrs old doing strait truck and towing. Company owner put me under his wing and said this is how I want you to do it. My way and only my way. I'm 46 now and have carried what I learned then to how I do things today.. even though much has changed. Much has not.

Hurst