Prime Flatbed Divison Info

yes Maryland is in flatbed territory depending upon what part is in question prime has a few shippers/receivers in the state

 

ok flats lets talk job sites love them/hate them....I personally have a love/hate relationship for them some have been great in and out without a problem and in good time others were horrible I delivered at a job site yesterday in iowa this crane company was moving one crane from one windmill jobsite to another loading wasn't bad since I only got a counterweight and crane mats but the unload..... so I arrived to the site around 0730 and didn't see that crane that loaded us(I expected it but should of asked how they planned on unloading the parts before I got loaded) the original plan was to use to crane that was being moved to unload all of the parts ok decent plan except they couldn't unload the counterweights until the tracks arrived for the crane long story short 7hrs later the tracks arrived within 30min of each other the drivers sad they had issues with getting permits (51000 lb tracks) all in all a full day wasted

 

Any chance a flatbed trainer will be in Springfield towards the end of next week? I'm starting orientation next Tuesday and if all goes well the first few days I'd like to try and hop right into flatbed training for my PSD.

 

I live about 30 minutes north of Baltimore, Md.

 

Is it difficult to find a flatbed trainer for the PSD training? I know the main purpose of the first few weeks is to get the hang of operating a rig, regardless of its trailer type, but I know that I am interested in the flatbed division and would really like to get a jump on it if possible.

 

I know we pull shingles out of Maryland.. I don't remember where though, I only picked up from there once.. but when I empty out near BWI/PHL area I always fight for a Dow Chemical load from Pennsauken, NJ.

 

Not much traffic with this thread but I thought I'd go ahead and say hi. Lucked out and got hooked up with a PSD flatbed trainer who turned around and hooked me up with another Flatbedder for my TNT who also happens to be a lease operator so I'm getting to see both sides of the fence.

Really like the varied loads and getting out of the truck for a little exercise with Flatbed so I won't be straying when my TNT portion is done. Been very fortunate so far! Merry Christmas

 

I'd like to get the flatbed training also. Starting orientation on Feb 4.

 

Just an update on me, since I rarely come to this forum... I left Prime last year to go to Long Haul Trucking.. I still pull flatbed, but it's a conestoga trailer.. NO MORE TARPING! =)

Even though I'm a company driver, I net about the same as I did with Prime. I just moved into a brand new Pete 579 and I am in love with this truck... I run a bit harder, but less stressful, and I'm still not forced dispatch.. plus, I get 25% of the line haul, which so far is averaging more than $2/mi.

Since I'm no longer with Prime, I'll say this... Prime is a great company to learn about trucking and to build experience.. but unless you're planning on staying with them for 10 years or more, get your experience and go elsewhere. Prime's sales department in the flatbed side is terrible, and you can make so much more money with other companies... but you need to build your experience first. I don't regret working for Prime, for the most part, they treated me well.. but at the end of the day, they didn't make me feel like I was a contractor... they treated me like an employee.. which is a big no no to me if you're an i/o.

 

How many miles are you averaging a week and how long do you stay out before getting home