Should I leave LTL and go back to flatbed?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by dabah2014, Oct 22, 2025.

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  1. Oct 23, 2025 #31
    BoostedTeg

    BoostedTeg Road Train Member

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    In my opinion the only way local driving makes sense is if you get time and a half after 40 hours.
     
    BoostedTeg, Oct 23, 2025
    BoostedTeg, Oct 23, 2025
    #31
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  3. Oct 23, 2025 #32
    dabah2014

    dabah2014 Bobtail Member

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    Tanker jobs in Dallas pay horribly. Hourly seems to be around $30/hr for most tanker jobs around me.
     
    dabah2014, Oct 23, 2025
    dabah2014, Oct 23, 2025
    #32
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  4. Oct 23, 2025 #33
    77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    36.50 is real good. Im in Indiana near Chicago. 30 an hour plus time and half after 40 is good for here.

    The fuel hauling at Pilot pays low to start but it might lead to better opportunities.

    LTL pays well. Better than most things. Short of UPS.

    You could flat bed and leave Dallas for cheaper rent else where in Texas? Might be a better option.
     
    77fib77, Oct 23, 2025
    77fib77, Oct 23, 2025
    #33
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  5. Oct 24, 2025 #34
    Mr Uturn

    Mr Uturn Light Load Member

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    If I was in your place, but with my knowledge. I would stick it out with LTL.
    Go deliver pizza, rent a $60 a day car and do uber 3 days a week.
    Get handyman jobs off Craig's list, and go hang TV's.
    Basically I'm saying develop a side hustle to get you over the hump.
    When the economy improves (it's a roller coaster goes up and down every 5 years) But when it improves, start SAVING for the next time it gets like this.
     
    Mr Uturn, Oct 24, 2025
    Mr Uturn, Oct 24, 2025
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  7. Oct 24, 2025 #35
    nextgentrucker

    nextgentrucker Road Train Member

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    ####... LTL is where it's at huh.
     
    nextgentrucker, Oct 24, 2025
    nextgentrucker, Oct 24, 2025
    #35
  8. Oct 25, 2025 #36
    '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

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    35 hours a week was about much as I worked on Lunehaul my last 25 years
    If you gotta work more than 40 hours a week you living too high on the hog
    Nobody on their death says “ I wish I’d put more miles on”
     
    '88K100, Oct 25, 2025
    '88K100, Oct 25, 2025
    #36
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  9. Oct 25, 2025 #37
    dabah2014

    dabah2014 Bobtail Member

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    I’m not Linehaul. I’m P&D. Linehaul makes far more in 35 hours than P&D does. I also live in Dallas. Not my choice originally, I was just born here and haven’t managed to get out yet. Dallas used to be cheap. Then everyone and their grandma moved here during covid. Now a one bedroom apartment in the hood is $1650 starting. 35 hours doesn’t cut it in Dallas. Average cost of a house here is $400,000 now.
     
    dabah2014, Oct 25, 2025
    dabah2014, Oct 25, 2025
    #37
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  10. Oct 25, 2025 #38
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    The outfits that pay OT tend to be miserable to work for, not to mention the way they’ll often bench you on Friday if you’re close to getting it.

    There’s nothing like coming in on Monday and getting slammed because the lazy do-nothing lowlife who did your run Friday brought half of it back because “well gee, it won’t be MY problem Monday”. :rolleyes:
     
    MACK E-6, Oct 25, 2025
    MACK E-6, Oct 25, 2025
    #38
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  11. Oct 25, 2025 #39
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Every job isn't supposed to pay enough to buy an average house. Can you imagine how much fast-food would cost if every employee was getting paid enough to buy the average house or support a family of 4 or pay tuition at prestigious universities, etc? The standard compromise is either get roommates or live/commute from where the affordable housing is available. I lived in a suburb of Dallas when I was in high school. I don't have much love lost for Dallas. If your hours are predictable, getting a part-time job or making a hobby into a job could supply extra income. If you know you would prefer to go do what the flatbed driver SAYS he is doing, go do it. NOT everyone describing their pay and working conditions ALWAYS tells the truth. So don't take a stranger's word for how much money he's making without some supporting evidence. Lots of drivers have switched jobs after hearing what a paradise another job is only to find out the truth isn't quite what you expected.
     
    tscottme, Oct 25, 2025
    tscottme, Oct 25, 2025
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  12. Oct 25, 2025 #40
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Chinatown, Oct 25, 2025
    Chinatown, Oct 25, 2025
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