Are big companies really that bad?

Honestly you'll get much better flatbed training with TMC or Melton. I'm making pretty #### good money with Swift though. If you can get on with Swift flatbed, you'll have to do a lot of hustling to stay moving but I haven't had too many problems with sitting on my ### at Swift. The flatbed fleet at Swift is pretty much an entirely different company, which happens to pull a Swift van or reefer if there's not a flatbed load wherever you end up. The securement learning curve is steep. Probably won't utilize your 70 in the most efficient way out of the gate. Things that will eventually take you 20-30 minutes may take you 3-4 hours out of the gate, but that's how it will be with any company.

If you have a flatbed mentor, you'll probably fare a lot better. There's a big shortage though.

 

Too far from TMC and Melton. I don't think Melton would take me anyway. I remember talking to Swift about their flatbed division but they told me you have to first go van or reefer and then we'll see about moving you over to flatbed. I'd rather not do flatbed though as I have slight asthma and hauling heavy tarps etc would be too much. Especially if it's humid or freezing out. Even with meds.. I can't control it in extreme weather.

 

Can still make money in van.

 

I appreciate your spirit Lion of the Interstate. Remember to never let go of this resolve.

 

It depends on where you live. Swift flatbed division has hiring areas. I don't know anything about Schneider. Swift flatbed does have a lot of options. They haul steel, coils, truck frames, vehicles etc.

 

Honestly I think that there is those who voice their opinion because of personal experiences, then there are those who listen to those who voice their opinions and think they are facts. But then you have a great majority of people who don't say a word, work at the company(ies), never post or offer their opinions and are happy with their choice.

I look at it this way, I have interviewed a lot of frustrated drivers who came from these companies, about 99% of them should look at themselves as the problem, not at the company because I assumed after 30 minutes of talking to them they expect to have the company conform to them, not them conform to the company and will never ever be happy,

 

Thats right!

 

You get out what you put in. If you're a good worker, don't complain much, you won't have a problem at larger carriers. Most of the complaints I've read on this forum were self-inflicted.