Newbie want to drive reefer OTR then switch to Flatbed......advice please

**gambiasurfgirl** · 08.05.2012

I could attend central florida tech (Ocala) and hopefully get hired by a company (that does reefer AND flatbed) to drive OTR for some time ,then transfer to their own flatbed division.
I am assuming I am able to transfer from reefer to flatbed,by retraining within the same company,so as not to appear to be hopping from company to company.
The only limitation seems to be that not a great number of companies hire out of Florida,so my choices may be limited.
I have no ties and am able to relocate easily,so i wondered if it might be more viable to relocate to another state,where I may have more options for companies who may want to hire me from the local cdl school. I intend to pay for my own cdl school.

where shall i move to ?

Any other advice?

**Balakov100** · 08.05.2012

Why Reefer then Flat.Why not jump straight into Flat?

**gambiasurfgirl** · 08.05.2012

want build up my confidence first

, with the driving,before contemplating securing oddly shaped items.

**Mobileguy1981** · 08.05.2012

I have heard of a few guys doing the Prime reefer training and then switching after that to their flatbed division. It's four weeks driving with instructor, get your cdl, then it's 30k miles teaming with a mentor. Then you can come back and train in flatbed which I think is another month to learn to secure with a mentor team driving. Go to the prime thread and you'll find a few guy there that have done it.

**Gulf Coast Trucker** · 08.05.2012

I ran into the problem of finding flatbed companies hiring recent grads out of FL. I did find Sunbelt trucking in Jacksonville they will hire with 3-6 months OTR exp. Roehl also has multiple divisions but I don't think they hire South of I4.

**123456** · 08.06.2012

perhaps consider a company that has a terminal near ocala.......

**Dna Mach** · 08.06.2012

Originally Posted by Mobileguy1981

I have heard of a few guys doing the Prime reefer training and then switching after that to their flatbed division. It's four weeks driving with instructor, get your cdl, then it's 30k miles teaming with a mentor.

Seriously, you don't need FOUR months of training. Companies that keep you with a trainer that long are only interested in using you for cheap team driving labor. Four months is ridiculous.

**thinkinbouttruckin** · 08.06.2012

did you find a company to train with? wannabe trucker here looking for the right fit. i live in leesburg and i too found out the opportunities are very limited

**sly1** · 08.07.2012

Check out Roehl. They have terminals in GA., IN, WI, AZ CA MI and a CDL school in WI. Check cost of living in other places and relocation may be a good choice. www.goroehl.com