Flatbed for a new grad?

Thanks Critters! I'll let you guys know what its like at Cypress.

 

When are you starting ?

 

Monday Feb 18 is my orientation start date.

 

Good luck keep us posted !

 

Well opinions vary from driver to driver, but I'm one whos right in the middle. The company isn't the best by far but its not the worst either. I've said it on a few threads now but I's a really good place for rookie flatbedders, teaches you the basics pretty much, how to tarp and strap, how to drive a spread axle, no loads that require chains, no oversize, just basic cargo for the most part. The worst part of CT is the equipment.. lots of run down truck and trailers, autos are total crap, trucks are so cut back on horsepower it isnt funny.. but all in all I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon, but a LOT of drivers leave in the first year. And being down in Florida I'm sure you wouldn't have any problem getting hired, AND living in Fl puts you in a spot where you wouldn't leave the southeast much. So if you're interested just fill out an app online and call the Savannah terminal to talk to someone, I was in orientation a 4 days after I got my license.

 

You are talking CT not Cypress right ? Do you like it ? how long you bin ? I hear Cypress is not to bad about maintenance some equip is old . heard drivers say it is junk but they don't work there the ones who do say it is ok there DOT rating is good

 

Yea that's all about CT, I've been here since last April and haven't had any problems at all minus a couple breakdowns, and it's left me with a hatred of automatic trucks. Now I've heard alot of good things about Cypress but it's the Sunbelt guys that complain about them, apparently Sunbelt was an AMAZING company before Cypress bought them, and I would like to drive for Cypress and get ahold of one of those nice 379 Petes.. but I was turned down cause of my age.

 

On a greyhound headed for Jacksonville, FL. I'll check in to the hotel tonight and have orientation tomorrow morning @ 8:00 sharp.

 

Cool good luck ! Let me know how it goes please . Keep eye out if any one is told they need sleep apnea test

 

I think you should pull a dry van or reefer the first year or two to get the feel for trucking before you jump in to flatbedding. Flatbedding is hard work as you already know there are more things to watch for as far as securing your load, you will often need to be outside supervising the loading , you will have more problems in winter in the cold weather areas such as frozen straps and frozen winches, there are also a lot more opportunities to get injured while loading, strapping or chaining, and also you might have more run ins with the DOT (and you do not want to face the DOT as an inexperienced driver if you don't have to)because with an open trailer they are more likely to spot something to pull you over for. Also most flatbeds are spreads so they are harder to maneuver and much harder to back than tandems. If you get some experience doing something a little easier to begin with you can learn at a more relaxed pace and them move up to flatbedding feeling confident that you know all the basics and can now focus on learning all the specialties of hauling flatbed.