W/S Flatbed Division

One of those "other" two is a good buddy of mine and we rolled a couple loads together just before that class. He's supposedly teaming with another guy to OH to get his truck.

Wish you all the best!!

 

Just Kidding, i couldnt resist!






American Trucker

 

It was great having the class with Dick, but it really just covered the basics. You're probably getting more than that with Joe, so I think its safe to skip it.

 

oh ya? that other guy he's with is me. There's no rainbows involved though.

 

Joe's method of training is, "Hey, hand me that strap there... you know, the yellow wrapped up thing with metal on the end."

*ducks and runs*

 

Hope you're fast, cuz you can't run to far on a sleeper

 

I am coming on with W/S in a couple of weeks, and was told that with my experience, I could drive vans or flatbeds, as I have considerable time with each.
I have read most of the posts on this website, and think I have a grip on where the van drivers go, and what they haul, but specific info on the flatbed routes and freight is sketchy.
Can some of you flatbedders give me some information on your typical routes, and the kind of freight you haul? I know you will be tempted to say you run all over, and haul all sorts of freight, but every company has its core customers, so what do you do the most of?
Also, do you keep the same trailer most of the time, or drop and hook sometimes?
Any and all information will be appreciated.

 

There's 1 dispatcher per zone. 3 zones.. Zone 1 = OR, WA, MT, WY; zone 2 = UT, CA, AZ, NV, and zone 3 = MN, WI, MI, KA, IL, IN, IA, MS, KY, OH.. maybe missed one there, but you get the idea.

They say they try to send us in a triangle.. from montana eastward.. then south west, then back north again. I don;'t think I've ever run that triangle yet, but that's one way to think about it.

I've only been in fb division 3-4 months, so my experiences are limited,. HOpefully Java Joe and Trillith comment, they''ve been doing it here longer than I. But I can say that there's about a dozen or so shippers out of montana and area that we use consistently, but then once we leave that area .. well, I haven't seen any consistency. Although I personally have moved a lot of steel around in Zone 3. And likely john deere stuff from there too.. ( I haven't done that yet.)

Zone 1 I'd say.., mostly lumber products and also bagged chemical compound products..

Zone 2.. uh, no idea. I always get weird loads when I'm down south.

There's no D/H .. and no re-powering loads. You get assigned that trailer, and its yours for however long. Of course, nothing's written in stone, so.. you could still do a d/h, who knows, but its not typical.

Hope that helps a bit.

oh I guess one more thing.. as fb, you don't go to terminals much except the Missoula terminal for repair and maintenance. You may stop at the Helena terminal on occassion too.

company trucks are just the regular trucks we have, but with a headache rack tacked on.

company flatbed trailers are 48' spread axle with 2 cargo boxes. you can get a step deck later as they become available.