BTC Flat

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ramloghauler, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. ramloghauler

    ramloghauler Light Load Member

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    Dec 24, 2010
    Cookeville, Tn
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    Does anyone have any information on BTC Flat out of Memphis, TN? I have got on their website www.btcflat.com and read positive things, but would like your opinions to help me decide. I start truck driving school Monday Jan. 10th. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
     
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  3. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 14, 2007
    Nashville, TN
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    They dont have the fancy trucks like TMC, but they are always clean and often the drivers are courteous. I see lots of them in my neck of the woods heading south on 65 towards AL. I would plan that it will be a phisical job and you will tired at the end of the week. They seem to haul a combination of building supplies and other small labor intensive items, from a tie down aspect.

    Where are you going to school?
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2011
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  4. ramloghauler

    ramloghauler Light Load Member

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    Dec 24, 2010
    Cookeville, Tn
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    I start Monday the 10th at TDI in Murfreesboro. I have already got my CDL permit and have taken my Hazmat, Doubles/Triples and Tanker tests' and have passed all three. I know I don't need those three for BTC Flat, but thought I would get them now in case I needed them in the future. I drove an LVS in the Marine Corps and pulled a 10' wide removable gooseneck lowboy. I'm either going to go with Maverick or BTC Flat. I have heard to many bad things about TMC and a friend of mine drives for TMC and he said he is fixing to quit and join the flatbed division at Averitt. Thanks for the help and be safe out there!
     
  5. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    Ram,

    Did you look into the TN Technology Program? Its a PTDI Program, lots of seat time and held at several locations throughout the state. This program is only $1300 and as a state resident, you will get half paid by the lottery grant! Best deal around, and the Nashville TTC campus school, is held in high regard. Both instructors are state exaiminers and they serve on many state transportaion related boards.

    PS We actually had a guy from Cookeville in our class! It was a drive, but we started at 7:30 and done at 2:30, so he was able to miss the rush hour traffic and he told me he enjoyed the drve everyday.
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2011
  6. ramloghauler

    ramloghauler Light Load Member

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    Dec 24, 2010
    Cookeville, Tn
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    Jonny,

    I have already got my schooling paid for from my Post 9/11 GI Bill. But, thank you anyway for looking out for me!! It's nice to see that they're still great people in this world looking out for newbie drivers! Since you are in Nashville, do you know anything about Star Transportation? If you don't mind me asking, who do you drive for? They are third on my list of applications. I originally tried to get in to the THP Academy, but I didn't make the cut. Maybe some day I will be a State Trooper.
    PS. I drove to Nashville plenty over the past three years. My fiance' went to TSU and was in the Dental Hygiene program there. Thank God she is graduated now!
     
  7. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    The Star Transporation out of Nashville used to be a pretty good place to start, I know that a couple guys from my class got their start there(one still works there). I understand they are now owned by Covenant Transport out of Chattanooga, but one of their drivers told me they run it as a seperate company with different policies. I do know, unlike Covenant they do not make you team drive for 6 months....its only a 6-8 week training program. Plus I think they have a drop yard outside Knoxville, its off I40 at the Buttermilk drive exit, near the new Crete Terminal (I think thats it) and their main terminal is here in Nashville on Foster. I used to haul paper out of GA and I would often see many Star trucks there as well as down at Domtar in MS.

    I work for a very small 10 truck company "on call" and also own another business. I enjoy driving from time to time, but to make any real money in this industry you need to stay out a month plus at a time and the pay does not make up for the missed time with my new wife......and I'm not getting any younger. I would like my wife to team drive with me someday soon and have a excellent offer on the table if she pulls the trigger and gets her CDL (her dad is a driver and she was backing trailers at the tender age of fourteen). Team driving with your spouse can very lucrative with the money all going to the same household if you,....run it like a business, you both take a 12 hr shift and you select a company with dedicated lanes and plenty of freight as there is no reason for a team to be sitting if you mangage your hours and resets properly.

    I dont have all the answers, but feel free to email me anytime. Be safe and good luck in your new career! Remember the THP is always looking for truck drivers with a law enforcement backround to assist in enforcement.

    I think the name of Star's student recruiter is John, he is a nice guy and very honest about what they can and can not offer, I'm sure he will visit your school while your there.
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2011
  8. ramloghauler

    ramloghauler Light Load Member

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    Cookeville, Tn
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    Thank for the information about Star and for giving me the recruiters name! I am going to try for THP again, if there is ever another class.
    I hear ya on the not getting any younger. I'm getting married in July of this year and she already knows that we won't get a honeymoon as soon as we get married. Reason being, I will have just started with a Trucking company and she just started her Hygiene career as well. It's ok though, she understands that right now, financially, we will be better off waiting to take one later and focus on paying the bills off.

    On the team driving: I use to work at TRW in Cookeville in the shipping department and there was one of our dedicated drivers that worked for US Xpress. He and his wife made well over 100k/Year, he said. I hope it works out for you and your wife to go as a team. I know I won't ever have that as an option as mine is going back to be an Orthodontist or that's her plan anyway.

    On TMC: When I got back from Iraq in 2009, I went with a TMC driver to see how driving a truck here in the states compared to driving one overseas. I was use to not getting much sleep anyways, but I remember we picked up a load up north (I can't remember what state) after driving from Tuscaloosa, Alabama the previous night and we had to be in Virginia the next morning. I was like do what? We got there at 0530 and the delivery was set for 0600. He said that if he didn't lie on his log book, he wouldn't get any miles or make any money. When we were coming home on Friday, we can through Static, Ky down Highway 111. There is a spot, where the THP sit all the time and I told him he better go the speed limit. He was like, there won't be anyone sitting there, but he slowed down none the less. To his surprise there were two thp's sitting there facing us. He was sweating bullets because he said the log book said we were still in Virginia. We didn't get pulled over though.
    I don't mind going without sleep and pulling long hours. I did PLENTY of that overseas. Hey if you shoot me a private message and leave me your email, I will send you some pictures of what I drove overseas. Have a good one!
     
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  9. Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 14, 2007
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    Ram,

    Thank you for your service to our country!
     
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  10. ramloghauler

    ramloghauler Light Load Member

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    Dec 24, 2010
    Cookeville, Tn
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    Your welcome, I enjoyed it! I got to see parts of the world that I probably wouldn't have ever gotten to see, had I not been in the service.
     
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  11. southern fried

    southern fried Light Load Member

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    Jan 23, 2009
    anywhere,all the time
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    If you want to pull a skateboard, look at McElroy out of Cuba AL. They are honest people, and you are in a good running lane for them.
     
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