secured and tarped my first flatbed load

Well, I just made the jump from pnuematic tanks to flatbeds.

I went to Maverick and got through all of the orientation and Securing and tarping training. Just a word of advice. If you are considering Maverick be SURE that you can pass the physical part of the orientation. It is NOT easy. I am in pretty good health and I have to say that it is the most difficult physical I have ever been through. I learned to fly a plane a few years ago and the FAA physical wasn't that tough!

So, I got an easy load. 24 skids of rolled roofing. Another Mav driver was there ahead of me and he got his load and finished strapping it and tarping it in just about 45 min. I was there for over 3 hours. It's o.k. I think it looks pretty good for my first time out. I had to throw two tarps on it, 12 straps and 2 chains.

I know it will get easier for me as I get a system down and get used to it.

I HATE THAT AUTO TRANSMISSION in the Columbia. The truck is nice enough, but that tranny...Man that thing sux.

 

Ah, the two chains. According to Mav, and they are very particular, they want a chain front and rear. The front one low and in front of the skid with a negative angle to the rear, and the rear one is the same except with a negative angle to the front.

I am doing everything "by the book"! I gotta feel this out a little if ya know what I mean.

 

Hey NoTarps, you ever been to pier 80 in Philly? That is where this load is heading for Monday the 28th.

 

This one came out of Little Rock (Certainteed) and is heading to the Piers in Philly. This is all new to me. Never actually went onto a Pier before.

Kinda funny that I have to go right by the A&R yard in Philly to get to the customer.