Flatbed questions, how much physical work is involved?

Drop and hook that doesn't require some form of labor is rare in the flatbed world. Some flatbed megas use a oversized headache rack that can accommodate your gear so you don't have to move it over when dropping and hooking flatbed.
One place I did drop and hook at a gypsum plant was worse than a regular load. You had to drop your trailer, pickup the loaded one which had one of their tarps on it. Remove and fold their tarp. Then put your own edge protectors, straps, and tarps on. It was a pain in the ###.

 

If you’re truly interested in flatbed work, just go with it. You will get the experience needed, not to worry.

I started open deck from day one.

 

Same here, started flatbed from day one.

 

As did I, so make that three.

True that. Much depends though on what kind for D&H operation is going on. If it's 100% dedicated wallboard, all that gear swapping may not even be necessary. Example: for a time I ran on TMC's dedicated account out of what's now (or at least last I knew) Continental Bldg Products, Silver Grove KY (if you know, you know). Straight up wallboard all day long. Out backwards to route us back to Silver Grove depended on where the drop-off point was, but more often than not it was either a Home Depot or Lowe's DC load (which suck even worse). We never swapped equipment...because every trailer had the same amount of stuff: two lumber tarps and eight 4x4s. Straps were never much of a problem (unless they were tore up); the "rule" was they used nine straps on every load & 40 bungies; upon dropping our empty trailer, we left nine straps and 40 bungies with it. Now true, they laid the tarps on the load—and I emphasize exactly that: laid them on top. They did decent about correctly adjusting the tarps for us dedicated guys; for the live loads, maannnn...they were all over the map depending on how they felt.

My homeboy up in Pittsburgh is on a wallboard dedicated account with Gypsum Express, pretty much doing the same thing. All wallboard, all day long. With both, you'll be pulling, folding, and rolling tarps more that you ever care to...but that's an essential part of the job. Welcome to skateboarding.

Simply put: you won't know until you try. The work ain't gonna break your back as long as you don't over-exert yourself. If you can lift 100 lbs on your own, you'll be good. Getting up on the trailer? Anytime your feet leave the ground just keep a good three points of contact. On top of the load? Unless you absolutely have to be on your feet, stay on your hands and knees until you get comfortable up there. The higher you get, obviously the higher the risk of falling. Use common sense and you should be just fine.

 

If you are going with Gypsum Express you might want double/triples endorsement. They run turnpike double flatbeds between new york and mass.

 

Do a lot of similar things to cypress. Building supplies. Not a bad company. Depending on your home location, should be home for a 34 most weeks.

 

Don’t know.