Well I definitely wanted to go flats, but I chose Maverick and they said I need a CDL first. In my case, I need a company sponsored CDL training. So having said that, I've chosen to go with Willis Shaw Express for at least a year, if I like it I'll stay, if not, I'll definitely go to a flatbed. I'll look into Arrow. Thanks

Best of luck!

I think you're looking at it backwards. You should be looking at the company, benefits, pay, and how it's going to fit into your short, medimim, and long range goals. I believe you're making the same mistake that just about all new drivers make and that's looking at a specific type of truck and not thinking about the future. There's no sense in going to a particular school or training if you can't find a job you like when you finish.

You should sit down and think where you're heading and where you think you'll be in 1 year, 3 years, and the rest of your driving career. Then write down your goals and do your planning to help reach those goals. Just finishing a CDL school and going to work for one of the cheaper companies, I can guarantee you, won't last very long.

Here's an example and I'll use a career in gasoline because I know the most about that but of course it will not cover everything.
My long term goal would be to haul gasoline for a major oil company. I set that goal because I like the pay, the hours worked, benefits, retirement programs, opportunity to go where I like, the equipment, and the way all of them treat their truck drivers. ( you may have different needs)

I know you need a few years experience before they will hire anyone and it has to be with tanker trucks. So I look around to see if any of the lower paying companies will hire out of school. Most will not and I might not have the money to pay for my schooling anyway. So I sign a contract that will allow me to get the CDL I need and a job at the end. Hopefully.

I know the job I'll have out of school is OTR and will not pay me so much for the first year. So I'll have to save before I even go to school. I know I will only do the time required of me at that company because I want to gain tanker experience. Now after a year or two the lower paying tanker jobs will hire me so my long range goal is getting closer. All during this time I know I MUST keep a clean record and have no bad remarks made about me anywhere.

I get a job with a tanker common carrier and it's a little better than the last job. So after awhile I start applying for the major oil company until I get lucky and get hired. I then retire after so many years.

I know that's not a great example but it's only meant to give you an idea. You could look at hauling explosives for the government with a contracted company. You might want to haul heavy equipment loads. Or maybe the radioactive waste going to Yucca MTN. Or you might want to stay on the road but you want the best company to work for. The point is you need to look at your future and just not the type of truck or what kind of tranmission or stuff like that. You'll get training in whatever you do so you DO NOT what to be limited to one type of truck or loads. Just thought I might help and good luck to you.

Flatbed are a real challange at times. Reefers/box vans are a great starting point for a trucking career. Learn the ropes of the industry, and how to operate the trucks. Rookies in flatbeds can be overwhelmed because of all the extra that has to be learned in addition to learning about driving. Start with the box, then go to the flats.

Excellent advice and I thank you for that post..
I do have some long range goals, but I admit that I may be setting my sights too high. I suppose I'm not so much interested in a particular type of truck and/or trailer. My thing is I do at this time need this job because I'm newly single, headed for divorce, my money situation is at an all time low so financing school myself is not an option. I agree with you, in that I'll need to take the less paying jobs in the beginning, work my way up, keep my CDL clean, my work history good, etc. I'm willing to exchange some indentured servitude for a new career...lol. I'm willing to accept some jobs I may not like, but I plan on making the best of all situations. I feel as though one day my work ethic, education and personal beliefs will enable me to find the perfect job in the trucking industry. I personally feel that Willis Shaw Express, though reefer will give me the correct training, safety conscious instruction, and the best experience among all of the carrier companies who offer company sponsored CDL training. I do feel that they might not be the best paying company once I'm worth more as an experience driver. From what I've read in these posts, flatbeds seem more to my liking. I hope the advice keeps coming, I very much appreciate it all..

I used to haul reefer, did it for 5 years. When I go back to trucking I would go flats. If you ever been to a food werehouse you would see what I am saying.

I have seem some pretty wicked docks in the cities that Reefer drivers gotta hit too. I'll give 'em that, they can back. I just like being able to pull up to a construction site, have the crane unload me and be on my way.

yeah that would be awesome, I think I'm gonna go ahead and tell my current job to stick it, and start CDL school with WSE on 23JUN.

One thing I noticed too, when I was a van driver I got a shower almost every day whether I needed it or not. As a flatbed driver I desperately need one after every load and yet I'm lucky to get one every three days. It's gross I know, and I started looking at why it worked out that way.

As a van driver, I was almost alway near a major interstate and truck stops. I always had time to get where I was going. In flats, I seem to spend more time in more rural areas. When I get fuel, I am usually pressed for time and can't grab one then.