If I'm doing local flatbed deliveries and later on in life if I want to go regional or OTR for flatbed,will my experience local help or will I have to start off like a new driver? I have 4 years experience already with class A Thanks for input
Seems like a lot of otr and regional carriers want multi state experience. Local open deck experience will help with securement and knowing how to operate the equipment, but not with logging and trip planning. Be good to go to some other states/ from what I recall, most carriers want to see you’ve operated in 5+ states to qualify you as regional/otr ready. As a side note, having did local flatbed work for several years before expanding, some securement tactics will suffice for local, that would not stand for regional or long haul/ while they meet legal precedent, they don’t hold up on longer trips. Ie a pallet of product secured legally but placed at one side of the trailer with nothing next to it. 50 miles that won’t likely have an issue, 250 or more its gonna work its way to the middle of the trailer from the top down, securement will be loose, #### can fall over and off etc Learn good securement habits, choking and gut securement.
Also, keep your driving record clean and I mean squeaky clean. Insurance companies set a lot of the hiring standards for trucking companies. That's not good but I don't see it changing any time soon.
Most otr want recent seasonal driving in the last 3 Years. That criteria may have changed. They want to know you can drive in the mountains and snow. Plus the whole hos thing. Stick with a small company and you'll probably be ok. The megas will probably decline you.
Melton Truck Lines will hire you for sure. ` Premiere OTR Flatbed Trucking Company - Melton Truck Lines Melton Truck Lines is a premiere over the road trucking company.
Cypress Truck Lines will hire you. ` Cypress Truck Lines is Hiring | Paid Training & Orientation ` Our Terminals
Experienced CDL-A Flatbed Truck Drivers: Choose how you want to be paid in Montgomery’s FREEDOM TO CHOOSE fleet! They require 6 months flatbed experience
There are construction companies and crane companies that will have open deck drivers that will run local and regional, especially for a big construction project. If you ever wanted to get into heavy haul, they will need someone to bring the stuff like dozers and earth movers and pavers…etc. Usually, you will be gone a week and home a week. Just an idea for when you want to get out for a bit.
