How did you get your start (in heavy haul)?

You really touched upon something I have slowly begun to see also, that nowadays it seems as if companies WANT drivers at each others throat. I think it is to deflect and keep the focus off them and their own shortcomings or "koolaid" they have to drink. Sad isn't it?

 

Frankly, its not a real great story. I applied, went for an interview, owner had a good gut feeling and hired me.
Within a month I was running 19' wide 16' tall and 10 axle.

 

Used to work as a heavy equipment operator and demolition trailer driver part time for a construction company, the lowboy driver busted up his ankle real bad and the owner of the company asked me to help out and the driver would ride with me and teach me. I suppose I did good and ended up loving heavy hauling full time after I got out of the military, in my blood I suppose.

 

Had my own trucks and equipment for a family construction company, saw someone else doing it and making some decent $$ so i decided to hop on the band wagon.

 

Me thinks you may need to visit your local engine doctor. A 550 ISX should do a very good job of pulling you up and down the road unless your spec is wrong in the first place. Maybe the gearing is a little too high, but I'm betting on a good tuning will do the trick.

 

18 spd with 3.73 gears. It does ok if there is no wind, but as soon as any wind factors in I have my right foot through the floor just to keep her at 50mph.

 

Seems like most heavy haul positions nowday's are a rigger first and a driver second.

 

Anyone can drive a truck. But knowing how to pick up a 700K pound transformer without breaking it is a trick that very few people know how to do. If you can do both you're always going to have a job.

 

This post would fit better in a thread entitled "How are you trying to get your start in Heavy Haul" , but I didn't see that thread. Maybe ya'll could let me know if I'm on track, or not. I didn't have any contacts in heavy haul and I know you usually need flat bed experience first. So I got my cdl and hired on with a flatbed company that has a good reputation for securement training, and safety record. It also has a heaviy haul division that it usually hires for from the flatbed division. I have just completed their training program and am scheduled to get my truck and go solo this week. My hope is to get into their heavy haul division, but they just cut that division down from twelve to six drivers. I am planning to stay with my plan, but will also be keeping my eyes and ears open for other opportunities as well. I realize that with experience and with maintaining a good safety record the opportunities should come along either with my current company, or possibly from someone else.

 

Jimmy...I'm one of those 6 that are still here.

You're chances are pretty good, some of the guys will be retiring within a year or so..that's only a guess though, based on their age.

You're not really in a good location though...they don't really have a hiring area, but they prefer you to live along one of the common travel lanes for us.

One of the guys they kept is a bit of a wild card....he may or may not last long, he is new to heavy haul too.

Either way...you came to the right place to get your flatbed experience.