New Driver Interested In Roehl

I don't do flatbed, but I trained with one and he is still with the company after 15 years. I just met up with him a few weeks ago in Gary. He was an excellent trainer.

As far as freight goes it all depends on a lot of variables. When I drove reefer back in 2009/10 I sat a lot. Now I'm driving van and they are keeping me busy. But I also hustle and keep my door closed, except for the mandatory 30 minute break.

 

Thanks Bayle, I'll do my best...

1. The training for securement was pretty good. It's a day and a half at the terminal in Gary, Indiana (where a lot of flatbed traffic goes through). A mixture of classroom and out on the trailers. It focused mainly on the various types of securement (straps, chains, where to apply them, how many are needed) for various kinds of loads you typically encounter (pipes, blocks, sheets of steel and lumber). Not a lot of time was spent on tarping, but they did show us the proper way to fold up and roll a tarp for stowage. I got a little more training on tarping when I was out with my trainer, but where I really learned the most was by untarping other drivers' loads (for example, when I took over someone else's load as a relay) and by tarping my own loads and figuring out what worked best. I think they gave me enough info so I could be safe and effective at flatbedding.

2. As a new driver, I found myself getting as many loads as I could handle. When you first start out at flatbedding, I found you spend more time doing the securement and tarping than when you're experienced and have secured/tarped that kind of load before. There are many, many kinds of loads you end up hauling and each is a bit different. The second and third time you secure and tarp a given kind of load goes quicker than the first time. I've been at it for 10 months now and there are still new kinds of loads I encounter. I've talked with other flatbedders who have been at it for years, and they told me it takes about 18 months before you can really consider yourself an experienced flatbedder. (Incidentally, this is one reason I will not consider being a trainer until at least that amount of time.)

Like Bayle said, there are times you sit, but for me they've been pretty rare. The longest I've ever sat was six hours, and that was just once. The vast majority of times, they have my next load ready for me right after I send in my "I'm finished with this load" message. Flatbed traffic tends to slow down a bit during the winter months, so that may affect things too. (For what it's worth, my fleet managers are based in Marshfield...not sure how that would make much difference though.)

Starting pay was pretty competitive. As a new driver who had just graduated from their CDL school in Marshfield, I started at a certain amount per mile and got automatic raises at three months and six months. After that, I was on the normal pay plan. My offer letter from the company spelled out exactly what the starting rate would be and the amount of the raises.

You can expect to be treated fairly and with respect, if you do the same. While I can't speak for other drivers who may have had different experiences than I, my experience has been good so far.

 

Troy I was based out of Phx AZ

 

Forgive me asking, but what was your weekly take, and yearly for that first year? I know it's rude to ask, but knowing this answer is critical for my decision.

Thanks!

 

Look in your PM inbox.

 

Here is another awkward question but even more important than the others, and it absolutely has to be answered honestly: Who gets a red truck and who gets a silver? The silver looks soo much better than the red.

 

Flatbedders typically get the silver tractors.

 

that is what I suspected and is good news, thank you.

 

Not always, but yes flats get silver. Reefer sometimes have blue. Most of the fleet is still red.
I got a silver one. Hides dirt better.