Thinking about joining the flatbed community

Personally I'd try and make a year, it opens up many more choices for you in terms of companies. Plus you don't want to get labeled a job hopper. It is ultimately your choice though so good luck in whatever you choose

 

Bugger that waiting a year crud! Dragging a spread axle is different from dragging a tandem, you'll need to make the adjustment and it is easier to make that adjustment before you pick up too many bad habits. Seeing as how you already lump all the freight now, flipping over to the "dark side" will actually be easier for you. Yes, we have tarps. But you only deal with those twice per load (unless it's an LTL). Once after loading, once before unloading. Boogy now and don't look back.

After 15 years of swinging doors, I finally made the jump over to open deck. Wish I had done it a heckuva lot earlier (like back when I first started driving. You know, the Pleistocene era).

 

You won't like flat any better. You're not asking about tarps, or anything dealing with flats. You're 3 mos in and can't be bothered. Flat loads are more work than vans. Maybe you just don't like trucking. Consider that.

 

I believe you're assuming a lot about the OP here with this post.

It's a complete change from swinging doors. I'd do some reading on it and talk to some guys at truck stops. Most flatbedders have bumped a dock at some point in their life. Weigh the pros with the cons, heavily. As far as jumping quick, depends. I'd try to stay at the company for at least 6 months... that's with any job. But, if it's unbearable and you have a flatbed job lined up jump as soon as you can.

 

I agree.just make absolutely sure skateboarding is what you want to do. Welcome to the Cool Kids.

 

Dollar store is way more work than OTR flatbed.

 

First off were not a community. That sounds way to PC and stuffy.

Flatbedding is not hard its a little bit of time doing something then drive. If you want to do it I think you will be much more satisfied then opening a box and staring at the junk inside.

Good luck to you and ask a lot of questions.

 

Yes, I have unloaded a 53 ft trailer by hand. Food service was my first OTR gig. You can make decent money car hauling and tanker yanking too. Most time a driver wants to flatbed because he wants to drag those chains around. All I'm saying is make sure this is want you want to do. You're quitting one job with very little time in it. If you quit another just as quickly, it may come back and bite you.