Flatbedding for beginners?

Do it now; don't waste your time with other types of trucking if flatbed is what you want.
Lot's of companies to choose from.
Nick Strimbu Inc. in Brookfield,OH is one of them.

 

Company's like TMC and comcar also has a flatbed division. Will train you on how to tarp different types of loads which will be useful and those types of company's want you fresh out of school but be careful my first job out of school was a flatbed company in south Georgia and they gave me no instruction at all I learned how to tarp the hard way by watching the tarp come loose and having to fix it and despite what they say about "brother trucking" being dead if you ask other drivers the majority will tell you the best way to tarp or strap your awkward load. Talk to the company's drivers before making a decision the recruiters don't know #### and will tell everything you wanna hear. But take full advantage of a company that takes you fresh out of school I didn't and now I can't get the job I want for a few more months cause they want 3 yrs experience since I didn't join straight outta school

 

The most critical thing about moving into flatbed operation is the potential of getting "trained" by someone who really doesn't know what they're doing, and learning tarping, strapping, and general securement the wrong way or inefficient ways.

It's a crap shoot about the training you get. Hopefully you'll get most of your training in a "controlled classroom" setting rather then with a "bad trainer" in the real world.

 

I started at Valley Transportation in Ashland, OH. They have a very good securement training program as well as trainers for new grads. The steel business is rough, though. Good luck, man. What part of Ohio are you in?

 

Measure twice. Cut once.

If you have to ride with a trainer, you only want to do it once.

 

What he said, if you dont feel your learning securment, ask. If you still dont, ask for a new trainer. Open deck is great, unless you are not taught well.... then its a career ender.

 

A company with good securement training would make thing much easier. I'm learning it all on the fly and it's alot. Couple that to being new to trucking and it could spell trouble. Check out the flatbed forum. Alot of helpful people there. Also have someone show you how to back a spread. It's totally different then what you were taught.

 

Go for it if that's what you want. My old boss actually preferred to train people for flatbed. Took the "but I've always done it this way" argument out of it.

I had never pulled flat until I started there in 2003 and I worked for him until 2011. Most days I still miss it

 

I recommend PGT trucking out of monaca pa, they have several yards across ohio and have an excellent training program. You'll make a solid paycheck as well. Home weekly, family health vision and dental for $50 a week, 401k after 1 yr, and multiple divisions to move to after you've gotten experience

 

Maverick transportation out of little rock. They will teach you securement and also give you a 24/7 hotline to call if you have any securement issue when you're solo