I am new here

No, flatbed strapping and tarping is not hard. Get a cheap lightweight set of coveralls to wear while you're securing/unsecuring the load so you don't get you're driving clothes dirty. Lots of good flatbed companies out there.

 

So, have you been driving a van for a year and decide to try your hand at flatbeds or are you brand new altogether?

 

IMHO Heartland is a more reputable company. In addition, they will probably pay you at least as much and probably more to pull vans. You may not get as many miles with them. There is more money to be made in open deck transportation...I am just not sure it is with Western.

 

I made more money flatbedding but it was harder work. What a shock. LOL. What got me wasn't the physical aspect as far as the work securing and tarping. You stick with it, eat well and the right muscle groups tone up and you get into shape. It was doing it outside in the freezing cold. Lot of the flatbed freight runs the cold upper tiers and winter SUCKED!. Dry boxers were outside 15 minutes; I was outside 30 or much more if it was a challenging securement and tarp load. COOOOLD!!! Got harder as I got older. Wasn't easy on a skinny kid from South FL to start with. Doing it in the heat didn't phase me (though it did some of my northern brethren), but the cold just kicked my tail. I don't know where they get all this "Global Warming" stuff. I sure was looking for it in my flatbed days.

China is right; it is dirty but I'll add get a great pair of Carhart heavy canvas insulated coveralls and gloves and jackets and hoods and extra heaters for the truck for winter. It's a booger on flatbedders and a lot of tankers that have to be outside to monitor pressure gauges and adjust valves too. Just a thought.

 

remember friends do not ley friends work for Western Express. They are a screw ball outfit.