what to do

It depends on what you want to do, those local companies you listed are all ltl companies which is fine, but that's all you'll ever do with them. I tried the ltl thing and found out real quick it wasn't for me. You are young enough still that if you started with one you could be set in a few years but you will most likely be on nights forever. I you want to do flatbed work you are probably on a decent path with Melton. When you get a little time in keep your eye out local (if you want to be local) for delivery type trucks in your area. There are flatbed type trucks that run local everyday that most people overlook. Stuff like delivering block/brick, building materials, bagged salt, etc. most of that is local hourly type work that is pretty decent.

 

Two entirely different operations, I'm with Smokey Point so ask what you want and as others will tell you, I'll answer but it may not be what you want to hear.

 

Yea, ask Catalinaflyer, he has a no mouth filter policy. lol
But he is honest on his words...

 

I dragged a box for a bunch of years before I jumped over to flatbedding, and I now regret all the time I spent dragging a box.

Yes, the first year or two can suck. Out there tarping that 7.5-8 foot load in -13 degree temperature weather with the wind kicking up, and all the van/reefer/tanker drivers wandering past in their nice, warm rigs will cause frustration, swearing, and (in my case) incoherent screaming. Watching the long time, experienced drivers whip in, load, secure, tarp, and whip out in an hour or less while you are still setting your chains will create stress and a sense of "why the heck do I put up with this crap?"

I'll tell you why. Soon, that quick, professional driver will be YOU! The light will flash, you'll get your system figured out, things will get easier and faster, and your increased efficiency will show in your paycheck. You will go from slamming that tarp into place any old way to actually taking more time than you need to make it nice, tight, and looking good NOT because it'll increase your pay BUT because you gotta look GOOOOD going down the road. Pride in your work, in your truck, and in what you do will be born.

Almost everyone will tell you flatbedders are a breed apart from most truckers. And to a certain extent, they are right. Today, when I sit at the coffee counter and listen to the van/reefer guys discussing docks where they've been held up I simply shake my head that anyone would constantly put up with that crap. And when I say "why not flatbed" they all declaim about how they won't "work that hard" or "it's too dangerous". Heck, I work less now than I ever did dragging a box and make way more!

 

Some of these drivers simply cant do flatbed, Just physically cant.
They may be scared their tickers arent strong enough, Or as you say(hurt themselves),They may Fall off the truck,Bash their skulls in with a cheater bar, Or break a fingernail!

Not for everyone for sure.......But the sense of accomplishment is not even close, When your all done driving down the road it gives you a good feeling inside.

 

Huh????

 

Opposite ends of the spectrum.

One company is chocked full of beancounters who will try to make profit by getting the drivers to pay for as much as they can. The other company is willing to pay drivers for what they know along with what they do.

These two companies shouldn't even be mentioned in the same post. It's like discussing swimsuit models and someone bringing in RuPaul into the discussion.