Am I out of my mind for wanting to do this ?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by SamuraiTater, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. DDlighttruck

    DDlighttruck Road Train Member

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    Don't drink the black Pete koolaid

    Good luck in your venture
     
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  3. noluck

    noluck Road Train Member

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    Trucking has changed a lot in the last decade or two. More companies run more regional routes anymore. Especially flat bed, some focus on a couple regions. Tmc is a national carrier, but I'd be willing to bet you will be running a lot of the same routes over and over. About the only true otr is reefer freight. They follow the produce. Don't romantacise the job. It's a good job, but it's not smokey and the bandit or convoy.
     
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  4. luckystar

    luckystar Light Load Member

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    Why arent Volvos made for flatbed?? Please elaborate further im a bit confused. Volvo trucks have been work horses for many many years. I have pulled lots of loads with Volvo trucks and many other makes and models. Here is a pic of a Heavy load i took to near Prince George BC. around 1990 if i remember correctly i had that one stretched a little also. I have driven old and new Volvo trucks doing flat bed work over the years. 007.jpg 007.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
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  5. Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    You must go different places than I did. Most shippers or receivers I ever dealt with were pleasant. There was the occasional sour puss, but you make it sound like it is an everyday occurrence.
     
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  6. SamuraiTater

    SamuraiTater Light Load Member

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    Some aspects of my current job are pretty nice. Some are a PITA. I travel around doing diagnostic inspections on surgical saw and drill sets for the manufacturer that made them. I wear pajamas to work every day (scrubs), so I guess that's nice. But I'm also constantly having to redirect the efforts of sterile processing staff and influence them to prioritize my needs instead of their own. Imagine arriving at a shipper and you're not getting out of there until you spend hours personally playing supervisor to all the worker bees just to get loaded.

    I'm not their supervisor. I'm just some guy who walks in their house twice a year and upsets their apple cart. I'm taking set after sterilized set off the shelf and ripping them open. I'm snooping around in the sterile core looking for other sets on case carts for procedures tomorrow morning. I'm creating a lot of extra work for people who already have enough to do. I have to walk a fine line between being assertive, but not too pushy.

    See why I enjoy the drive time ?
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2017
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  7. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Indeed.

    Judging by what I've read on here over the years, TMC is more demanding than they are worth.
     
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  8. noluck

    noluck Road Train Member

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    You'll still have to deal with a certain amount of that. Sometimes you'll even need to be a complete ### hole. Not often, but you still feel like you are having to show people how to do their own job. You try to be nice yet assertive.
     
  9. larry2903

    larry2903 Heavy Load Member

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    Sounds to me like you've done your research, if you feel like they would be a good fit, then jump on in with both feet. TMC is probably as good a place as any to get your feet wet, could also check Maverick, they may have a yard near you. Anyway, once you get a good clean year in you can pretty much have your pick of the apples.

    I think you will like it, after almost 27 years I still can't think of anything else I'd rather do than drive the highways of our great country. I believe you'd really enjoy open deck work, gets you out of the truck and moving around.
     
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  10. DDlighttruck

    DDlighttruck Road Train Member

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    Volvos and flatbed go together like picking up when the ugly lights come on after last call. Sure, it works and gets the job done, but boy you don't wanna have your friends see what you're driving
     
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  11. luckystar

    luckystar Light Load Member

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    I dont drive one anymore but i sure liked the comfortable ride. I actually think the newer style Volovos look nice. The Volvo 780 with a nice crome headache rack with doors and an all aluminum spread axle flat would look super sexy
     
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