To flat or not to flat? That is the question needing answers

Any one under 80 that wants to do it can..
There has been several threads before about age and flatbed.
Go for it and just keep your ears open and ask questions about tie down the loads.
Remember the chains and straps in the headache are no good when the ld. is scattered out on the highway and some dies or gets hurt.
Good luck in your choice

 

Go for the flatbed, you will be happy you did even if later you switch to pulling a box.

It's great for the soul, you get exercise, and you will never be called a mere steering wheel holder.
I started later in life as have many I know. No issues there, work smart, not harder.

 

This is not a direct answer to your question Denali but I'll throw in my two cents.

I read a lot of your posts and if attitude has anything to do with it and it does you will be fine.

 

The only thing I can can say is your post doesn't lead me to believe that you should rule it out. I don't throw tarps, because I don't want to. I don't think it is a difficult job. I think it's a dirty job. If you didn't see me in my truck, my gut didn't overhang my belt and I didn't have the occasional dirty knee, you wouldn't even know I was in the dirty shirt club. I'm not sure I would ever go back to banging doors and I'm pretty sure I'll do this at least part time for the rest of my life.

Conversely, a friend of mine works down on 100th street, is 65, pulls a van, drop and hook (I believe on both ends as they have a city guy in town who delivers their loads), works 4 day a week, makes a great wage, has never been gone over night and it sounds great...unless you're like me. I get so bored so quickly, it would not be fun for me. The most I've ever pulled (from memory of course) is 4 loads to the same place in a row. And it was really like 3 different loads because each load was different then the rest (except 2 had the same pieces) and required a different approach to securing the load.

Company drivers often don't have the same luxury guys like me do (heavy haul excluded). I imagine hauling coils out of the same mill to the same handful of customers is probably the same as banging docks.

Some folks like the familiarity of hauling the same things to the same places. There is nothing wrong with that. I think you just need to know who you are and find something that fits you or you'll never be happy what ever you do.

Who was the company that called?

 

Check with Falcon Transport; they do lots of automobile parts and steel for auto manufacturing. Flatbed div. and van division.

If you want to buy a truck through a company program, Fikes Truck Line is probably a better deal than Western Express.

 

Don't go to Western. You're too good of a driver for that. There are flatbed companies that will take you on because you have driving experience, but they do not train. You don't have to go to companies like Maverick and TMC.

Try going to a TA or Petro and meeting a flatbed driver who will give you a crash course in securement...it will be enough for you to get your foot in the door with a company that hauls more than sticks and bricks.

OR ask Freightliner Bob if he could make a few "How To" videos for you.

 

done step and lowbed for years never wanted to do flat because of cheap rates and a long way to fall to the ground,,,

 

I'd be more afraid of Western Express than the flat bed. I agree with MJ.....you can do the flatbed part. Maybe start by searching TTR. I am sure there are a few Western Express reviews.