Whatever company youre with!!

You SURE you're doing flatbed?

Sounds like something else.

I actually do want to try out flatbed. Otr van would leave me in the truck more often than I care to be. So getting out and doing something like that...well, I'd just have to learn. Right now I'm unloading my van about 6-10 hours a week depending upon the runs I get.

 

Yep, I'm sure. Just checked my trailer, not a door or wall to be found. Starting out, it took me considerably longer to secure and tarp freight. Thanks to time, experience, and the invaluable assistance and advice of older flatbedders, I've gotten a lot more efficient at securement and tarping. I can honestly say that I work (as in grunting and sweating style work) a heckuva a lot less pulling a deck than I did with a box. Plus, the stress is lower, the pay is better, the benefits are improved, and I get treated like a professional and asset to the company rather than just a replaceable cog in the profit machine.

Probably the only way I could significantly improve.my current situatiob would be to jump over to haz mat tanker. And I have absolutely no desire to do that.

 

I'm just showing my sick sense of humor. No worries. And really? That's surprising.

How often do you have to tarp and strap? I guess that matters mostly if you are otr, local or regional.

 

For AtlasShruggery: driver, I'm scared of heights, too. Makes me that much more careful when I gotta climb around on high loads, and think a lot more about what I'm gonna do. A lot of customers I deal with have fall protection setups, but sometimes I just have to grit my teeth and get done what's gotta get done. Since I am nature's own coward, if I can do it I'm sure you could too. Remember, work smarter, not harder.

For Vileheim: driver, it really depends on the type of freight and time of year. I'll go a week or two without even looking at my tarps, then I'll tarp every mother-luvin' load I see. In the winter, I tarp more often than not. Loads that I don't tarp in good weather will often need tarped in bad to keep all the de-icing chemicals off them. It's not always protecting the freight against rain or mud that is the issue. Salt, brine, and all the other crap that gets dumped on the road to deal with slippery and icy conditions will.do.far.more damage to freight than a little rain. And of course, steel and aluminum coils get tarped regardless of weather.

You can look at tarping as a pain in the tail, or as a challenge. I generally prefer to go the challenge route. Not much feels.better than rolling down the road with a nice tight tarp that causes other (experienced) flatbedders to nod with approval when they see it. It's a point of pride for most of us.

 

I am a big believer in "What you think about you bring about" and having and keeping a positive attitude has always served me better then being sour, grouchy and compaining about everything...

so many drivers say they are going broke, not gettng miles and such.. and for me, working at werner for 18 months I earned enough to buy a new motorcycle and a New F150 Triton, kept all my bills paid and even put some money away i to savings each week...

things didnt alway go as I would og liked.. but I always did my best and made the most of it....

 

I also do that,as I am paying I'll point and say I'll pay his also. Karma can be a good thing

 

I usually just say "sorry you're having trouble, I'll have dispatch send another truck tomorrow. Usually works but be ready if they call your bluff ,walk the walk.

 

An average week for me is 2000 miles.I get paid for every load and unload.Hourly wait time,etc.Usually gross around $1300-$1400 a week.

 

You're underpaid