Thinking about flatbed

"the only thing I have to learn is load securement".
I have to say that that is what is unique to flatbedding - if you don't like the way it's loaded, well I do anyway, make them take it off and reload it - or shrink wrap it, or whatever it needs. Load securement with certain kinds of material can be tricky business - whoever you go with, make sure you get GOOD training.
I started flatbedding with - of all companies - JB Hunt. It was a dedicated run, we were only hauling roofing tiles, it wasn't brain surgery in getting it strapped down and secured, but the company I am with now is a much different story.
The thing I like about flatbedding is exactly opposite of what many drivers desire: touch as much freight as I can. I don't want to get fat and slow, I love the fact that, at least the flatbedding job I am doing now, keeps me VERY active and keeps me in much better condition than - some of these people I see that aren't doing much but sitting behind a wheel all day long.
I ain't spiting van/reefer/whatever drivers, I am just espousing the physical benefits of flatbed work. UPS Freight has a flatbed division, I don't know if they demand experience or not, but I have heard good reports from some of their drivers that come into our yard frequently with loads from our DC in California - that it's a good company to work for, that is. The guys I have talked to are on regional runs and are home frequently, yet they seem to be happy with the pay/miles they are getting.
Good luck with whatever you find, and personally I think you are making a great decision!
bb

 

trooper what company are you with now? i agree about it being better to move and be physical!! i don't want to be 500 lbs!! lol

 

I think the day i got my CDL i put on ten pounds before i left the D.O.T. LOL

 

I could handle a few more pounds myself--i always get told im too skinny--cold hearted aka bp low!!! But i always forget to eat when im on the road !

 

Hunt is the flatbed division of crete. I do not know about them but I have been told they are as good as crete. Hope this helps.

Kinghunter

 

I am now working for Ferguson Enterprises - a wholesaler of plumbing, waterworks, fire and other divisions - to mostly contractors (but open to the public), that has a HUGE fleet of trucks. A far greater perecentage of their trucks are 2 or 3 axle straight trucks - but I work for the Waterworks division which sells extremely heavy cast iron pipe that is lined with concrete and coated with and asphaltic base, other kinds of pipe which is also quite heavy and fittings/valves which - are all heavy. Meaning that a semi fits the bill for hauling out a delivery more often than a straight truck.
The funny thing is, I get put into a semi, or a straight truck with a 24 foot bed or a pickup truck on a regular basis - and get paid all the same for it.
####. My stepson just came in and said they just found his grandfather dead at the apartment complex where he lives - have to finish this some other time.

 

I know I havent been drivin that long but I preach flatbed. Thats where I started, with TMC. Worked with them for bout 5 months and thought I wanted to pull a van. Well 3 months later I am goin to work for Boyd Brothers. Yes flatbed. Yeah its a little more work but as far as the tarpin goes, hell have the forklift driver put it on top of the load for ya. The only thing I hate about it is rollin them up in the rain or 100 degree weather. One thing about flatbeds is that it will surely keep you in shape. When I first started I lost 25lbs, gained 30 since I went to van. Anyone wanting to know good companies to pull flatbed for is Boyd, Maverick, or TMC.