going flatbed

I drove one year pulling reefers for Prime then went L/o. Best move I made in awhile. I feel I make good money. I have wanted to pull skateboards for awhile. Actually when I came to Prime two years ago it was easier to go reefer because they had more trainers. Anyway, check this out, a little wordy.....

When I first checked into going flatbed I was told I would have to turn in my truck. I would forfit my escrow account, have to pay for any repairs and tires to bring the truck up to Prime's standard then start a new lease. i.e. reefers are on a 3 year lease and flats are on a 4 year lease. So I drpped it for awhile, figured I would have to finish out my current lease then go flatbed. I have a pretty good Fm and he does keep me moving, which I like.

Short of it all is this. I went in and talked with Fred in the leasing department and explained my delima. He figured out a way for me go flats without all the hassel of turning in my truck and turn around and release the same truck. So I start the 2 day flatbed boot camp tomorrow. How cool is that?

So it is possible to get into flatbed with some experience on the road in reefers. Not sure I'm real comfortable with a 2 day securment class. I feel it's not reall rocket science. Strap it and chain it until there is no way it can move.
If anyone is interested I will try to post more here as I go along.

Would appreciate any and all input

 

IMHO it was pretty bad! Met with the instructer Thursday at noon at the Campus Inn. Was given some written material to review and took a 20 question test. Friday met with instructor around 10 o'clock at the cafe at the Millenium. Guess what, the safety meet was going on. Eventually we made it out to the training pad. We reviewed different ways to strap and chain items on the trailerl. Did I actually do any of this, NO! Took another test and was done by 2pm.

On my second load today. This one I had to strap and tarp. Gilberts, Az to Del Rio, Tx.