How long to secure load?

Agree wholeheartedly.
Had a load in Ohio somewhere in a back drive area. Got in there, the load was this flmsy metal sheets, mutiple sizes, widths, heights, and was loaded specifically for unloading. Had to wait until the crane loader was done, to know what had to be secured and where.

Along comes this local driving a conestoga, we won't mention nationality. He's getting antsy because I'm slowing him down. because I'm in the only bay, and he wants to know how long it's going to be until I get done. I told him it'll go faster if he wants to help. He declined, with a quip about, that's why he pulls a conestoga. I inform him, well I don't and until this load is ready, I'm not moving. Several factors here. It's wet outside, my load must be secured BEFORE it's tarped.

He goes to complain to the owner or whoever. The owner comes to me and says can't you hurry up, I asked him, do you want to take this load off of me? (Conestoga boy would have had to wait double. ) He also, declined. I told him, if this is the only bay you can load from, then next time, don't order a flatbed that must tarp, when what you really want is a conestoga. No offense to conestoga people that aren't like this jerk weed was, but you get the point. I don't rush for anyone. I secure my load the way it needs to be, within reasonable time for the conditions given and that must be accomodated. He didn't ask his loader to hurry up, why should I hurry up?

Simple philosophy. If I'm too slow for you, take the load off, or shut up and help. Now I'm not an ignoramus either. If I'm in a mill, I get my chain on, maybe throw the tarp over if weather is somewhat decent and there's room to work outside, but these were two very different situations requiring two very different approaches.

So the answer is, NO. He didn't take to long.

PS: Forgot. When I arrived, his loader was at lunch, and I had to wait for him. That's why the comment about him not asking his loader to hurry up.

 

I've hauled tankers, too, so what's your point? Are you in the wrong forum? I've seen tanker loads that develop a leak, or aren't maintained properly that take forever for the operator to unload. Is that his fault and should be considered an inconsiderate JO? Chill dude. Turn right at the forum entrance and find the Tanker Forum.

 

I agree, I always give them a thumbs up as I go by. They should know that someone notices their good work. (I do the same for others flatbedders who tarp neatly.) My old boss always said he could look out on the yard and know without asking, which tarped load was mine. It was the perfectly wrapped Christmas package that just needed a bow.

Miss him, he was a really good boss.

 

Once it took me nearly 5 minutes to close and properly latch some trailer doors. By the time I was done I was softly sobbing to my self, " They will not win, they will not win!" After that I sat down and reevaluated my life.

 

‍*facepalm* I can't find the logic behind this comment. Not trying to stir up #### but this just doesn't make any #### sense.

 

I see I'm not the only one who picked up on that. Makes a comment about being tire of inconsiderate people while the beginning of his comment is inconsiderate to begin with and in the wrong area of the forum. Maybe he can't hack it in the flatbed world like we can or he has some kinda vendetta against us? That was a ####ty thing to say for sure and I don't see what relevance it had to the OP's question.

 

It depends on the load and the experience of the driver. You left before he did so we don't know if he tarped or not. Typically bags, regardless of material is supposed to be tarped. I've had full lumber loads I can have fully tarped, ready to roll in 20 minutes and I've had really wonky looking machinery and aluminum extrusion loads that can take 3+ hours. How/where the equipment is stored on the truck, drivers knowledge of where that equipment is, what he has available to him, how much of it he needs without dragging out excessive #### he has to put back that he doesn't use (this includes doing math in your head on he fly according to the length and weight of the load, DOT minimums and what will actually make it safe to haul. Theres a lot more to it than just throwing some straps and hauling ###.

New guys are gonna struggle. This is why I tell them to stick with pulling a box until they learn how trucking works in general so they aren't taking on too much at once and honestly I don't think anyone should be allowed to flatbed until they have at least 3 years of driving experience. With time and experience, just as anything else, it'll become second nature and you get fast with it.

 

^^^^^ this.

As long as he’s not the guy setting in the road with his load scattered around because he didn’t secure his load.

We all have dangers no matter what style trailer we are pulling. Couple months will make 35 years since I crawled in my first truck (Cabover). Might be he is green and simply not sure what is the best securement?? I remember some of my first loads….

If he’s a decent guy he will pull out of your way and let you around, that’s what we always do…..providing he’s in the way.

 

That’s a shipper problem not a flatbed hauler problem if they are in the way.And honestly it is what it is.If he’s not comfortable and doesn’t have a routine then it’s better for the general public for him to take all the time he needs and get the load secured correctly.