how do you switch over to a different division

Talk to your dispatcher, maybe call Phoenix, the flatbed guy is stationed there.

 

Just call and ask for the flatbed division. Ask to talk to a dm/fm and they'll set up a transfer as long as you have a good ra score

 

Yup call them (Phoenix ) or walk up to the office and ask them
If you're a safe driver they'll gladly take you on

 

Word of advice do not go out of Gary IN. I have heard nothing good about it in fact only bad. Just make sure you really want to go flat its a totally different ball game. Not saying its bad just alot different than a van.

 

I met a Swift guy driving flatbeds at Pilot near Otay Mesa. He liked it, said he got a lot of miles doing a triangle route based out of Phoenix. He got me addicted to the sirius/xm satelite old radio shows for a solid 2 months.

 

Flatbed is a whole different world from dragging a box. Trust me, I hauled box for a bunch of years before I jumped into flatbedding.

When you are a flatbedder, there is no time to sit around a play games or read or shoot the breeze on the phone while loading or unloading. You are either setting up the trailer (setting up the coil bunk or placing lumber or getting your securement equipment out and ready), directing the loading operation, or yanking all the securement off and put away so you can move to the next load. It's work every step of the way.

Then there are the load checks while in transit. Straps and chains can and will loosen while you are driving, and you actually need to get out and check them on a regular basis. You will quickly fall into the flatbedder habit of walking around and checking everything every time you stop.

On the other hand, you will also get used to people actually being happy to see you, better health, better pay, and an overall happier life.

Personally, I love flatbedding. I've done two winters and have no desire to go back to drybox. Yes, winter sucks when you have to secure and tarp. But on the other hand, I work about half as hard as a dry van dragger for better money (I get paid percentage and yes, it does make a difference). Come on over to skateboarding. If you love it (as most of us do) you'll never go back. And if you don't, you will still gain valuable experience you would never get just doing dry van.

 

Call Ray Pederson in the phoenix flatbed division. 800 800 FLAT. Ray runs the securement class and he is the one who handles getting you signed and dispatched to either phx or gary for training. Ray is hard to get in touch with some times so you have to be persistent. I wouldn't trust the DMs to take care of anything related to getting you switched over.