Whats the best trucking Co or Flatbed Co HELP!!

There are always good and bad things about all companies. It'll always b a hard coice in who to listen to about what company to go to. I advocate not taking any one person's advice and looking up each individual companies site and talking to each one's recruiters. Just remember,just because you're asking questions of these recruiters doesn't mean you have to sign with them. They will try to have you signed up and locked down before you hang up with them. BE FIRM! Never commit till you're satisfied that each one you talk to has answered all your questions.

 

As for TMC's flaws... well,that could turn into a novel. First and foremost you need to know that any company that hire's you off the street and trains you gets government subsidies to do so. That means that not only are you indebted to them for the contract to pay off your truck driving school loan... they won't need you after you've been there for a year or two. after you complete your contract with whatever company,search out a company that does NOT offer CDL training.

 

I dont really know much about mavericks spec div. when i was leaving maverick, we had just acquired the spec div.i do know that most of the spec stuff they were doing was glass hauling.nowadays i see alot of mav's spec guys backhauling freight whith their glass a-frames broken down. my best advice would b to do the reg flatbedding.when i was with mav i used to haul steel bars into tonowanda and haul alot of coils out of lackawana.so,for where you live,you can expect alot of miles and pretty good hometime with them.i was scared when i first got into flatbedding when it came to how much work it is...but,after the first 3-6 months...it's not so bad.the trick is to learn from the more veteran guys there.and i dont mean the ones who've only been there a year.you'll find your own rythym and pace that works for you.when i first started,it took me about an hour and a half to tarp a simple load...but,after a little while i got it down to 30 minutes or so.
The thing I can't stress enuff is PATIENCE.never get in a hurry to do anything.making mistakes is natural,its how you learn from them that counts.

 

BR Benny: First, thanks for the input about Maverick. You've articulated your answers well, and I appreciate your insight and knowledge. Maverick is on my short list for potential employers, but I admit, the tarping has me apprehensive.

I take comfort knowing that in time it will come easier, and I also understand that they do a pretty good job teaching securement and tarping. However, I have two primary concerns about tarping: 1) is it "back-breaking" (a lot of bending or stooping with heavy weight)? And 2) is there a real danger for injury, and if so, how? When tarping, do you have to climb up on top of the load, or can you tarp from the ground?

Also, unrelated to those questions, but still relative to Maverick: I've been told by the recruiter that there are customers who won't allow my wife on property for pick-up or delivery unless she has a Class A license. If true, if she was riding with me, what would we have to do?

 

I'm know you're looking for answers from Benny, but I may be able to help a little. Really tarping for the most part isn't that bad. Yeah the tarps are heavy. Some are really heavy. But 99% of the time someone will lift them onto your load with a forklift. All you have to do is roll them out. The only time I didn't get that was where I picked up steel coils and they didn't have a forklift readily available. You will have to bend down and stoop at times, but not all that much. I can't remember one time that I was able to tarp from the ground. You have to monkey around on the load. Get on top to roll them out and make sure they are pretty straight, then climb down and bungie them to the trailer.

There are dangers to it and they are real. Just like any other job though. Just watch your step when you are on top of the load. If it is lumber, make sure you do not step in a crack between the lifts. Try not to trip over the tarp itself either. On a high wind day it likes to catch air and flap around. Just know where you are up there and you will be ok.
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you can't get a forklift to put your tarps up there. There are usually alot of people around and other drivers as well that are willing to help lift it onto the trailer.

One key thing to remember though, the rear tarp always goes on first! ALWAYS!

On a even better note... not all loads require a tarp! Those were the best for me. Just secure and go.