Loss of time... Must move now!

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Bolt Thrower, Mar 31, 2019.

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  1. Bolt Thrower

    Bolt Thrower Light Load Member

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    I wasted 41 years of my life and now I have chosen this industry to hopefully carve a better path for myself and young child. I started my journey last December fresh out of school. I thought The best path for me was to go into the tanking industry. From my own personal experience, it wasn't a wise choice because good companies in the bulk industry requires a year to two years experience. I decided to go with a mega carrier and it didn't work out well for me. I won't go into great details or call out that carrier .

    Here I am now with four months OTR experience with every endorsement on my license including twic and hazmat. I've decided to get into the flatbed industry and will be starting orientation this Monday with McElroy Trucking. For long term, flatbed appears to be better long-term financially. I'm not scared of work and I prefer to stay in shape.

    I'm not low twenties anymore, turning 42 in a couple weeks. I'm not asking any of you to do all the research for me just a little bit of help. I am not motivated by greed just trying to create a world thats much better than what I lived for my child. like most of you, we're all here to make as much money as possible. Any suggestions for embarking this new journey weather it be company driver or owner operator (future) I would greatly appreciate it.
     
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  3. SteerTire

    SteerTire Road Train Member

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    McElroy is a good company. Or at least they were. I haven’t heard anything recently. But know in the past they were one of the better small companies to work for, and paid better than most.

    None of that may apply now. But I wouldn’t take them off my short list.
     
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  4. Do some searching around the flatbed section. You will see plenty of posts just like yours.
     
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  5. Bolt Thrower

    Bolt Thrower Light Load Member

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    Awesome advice thank you so much!
     
  6. AUfan78

    AUfan78 Light Load Member

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    I see McElroy trucks at different Lowes stores all the time. I was going to say you might can catch one of them there and ask the driver some questions but I see you are headed to orientation monday.
     
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  7. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    My advice? Take your time and do it right.

    I've been driving for 21 years now. Last seven (almost eight) of which have been flatbedding. And I'm 43. Not on my last truck yet, but thanks to physical damage, I'm really, really close.

    So take your time. In almost every instance and almost every injury I have, being in a danger hurry has been THE major contributing factor. Either in causing the injury itself, or further damaging the body by pushing too hard and not allowing myself proper time to heal before I went back to work.

    At 43, we don't heal as fast or as well as we do in our twenties. And you only get one body. Take care of it.
     
  8. Scooter Jones

    Scooter Jones Road Train Member

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    I watched these two old guys tarp big bags of sand the other day. It wasn't pretty LOL! Made me appreciate my dry van all the more ;-)
     
  9. Bolt Thrower

    Bolt Thrower Light Load Member

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    That's nice
     
  10. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    "Today I do what others won't so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't"- Jerry Rice

    First off, in order for you to be focused on the task at hand, you and everyone at home have to be on the same page. I know that you have previous driving experience and all, but I want you to be successful. So, let's take it up a notch. You mention your kid. Are you and mama still together? You didn't mention a lady, and so I get the feeling that you're not. Even so, you want to be cordial with her. That way, when you get by the house, you can avoid wasting time with mama drama and see your kid in peace. Everything cool at home? Good.

    One of the things that I noticed is that, unlike many others, you didn't do the "Hey, I signed up with McElroy and have orientation Monday/what kind of company are they? type post. That's good. Nothing says "dipweed" like taking a job before you research the company. Well done, you did your homework. Let's get started...

    Program this in your mind: The goal isn't to get a job, the goal is to be good at what you do. They're going to go over the securement regs and show you how to tarp. Flatbedding is a thinking Man's job. In a world of empty headed truckers, this is why many run away from the open deck. Securement serves a purpose. If the load shifts, you fail. Real simple talk. If your load shifts, your Man Card is in jeopardy. What's the ultimate goal? To be good at what you do. Let the idiots be concerned with how many miles they get, your main concern is to be good at what you do. Are we on the same page? Good! I like you already.

    It is a matter of pride for an open deck driver to be able to put a load on his trailer, cover all the legal stuff, and deliver that load without any claims. When you get started, you will feel slow. That's understandable. You will be loading and you will see guys coming and going and seemingly running circles around you. But they already have in mind what they need and how to do this load or that load, and so they have this mental rhythm and a routine and it will make them seem like they're racing. It's not a race. You do your load at your pace.

    "But Six, what about miles and money and stuff? I need to make money."

    I know, I understand. When you can consistently accomplish the ultimate goal on every load, I promise you that you will make money. What's the ultimate goal again?

    Made an Oops today

    A new driver forgets to put on his fuel caps after topping off his tanks. An experienced driver tells him to not be in such a hurry and do a walk around before he moves. Rookie gets butthurt. Did the experienced driver say these things to hurt his feelings? No. I make a post about developing new habits. The reason why I am telling this to you is because one of the bad habits that our guys will have is leaving securement devices on the deck and taking off down the road. In particular, the cheater bar. If a chain drags on the ground, and a tire runs over it, that chain will cut through that tire like a new chain saw through soft wood. Cheaterbars will harpoon through windshields. Make it your habit, to walk around the load, and check your chains that they can't fall off the trailer and drag, or that you haven't left anything at all on the deck. What's the ultimate goal?

    Anyway, check back with us and let us know how things are going at McElroy. If you ever need help with securement, post a pic of the load. Someone will always help. And you, in turn, be prepared to help others when you see that you can. That's how we roll. Right?


    Luck in battle.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2019
  11. Bolt Thrower

    Bolt Thrower Light Load Member

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    Yes, me and my ex-wife are not together. She is remarried and her husband is very jealous and intimidated by me. This truck driving journey has created problems with seeing my child whenever I'm available. This is another reason why I need to succeed in this industry is so that I can battle my ex for custody. Always unnecessary drama.

    Thanks brother you're awesome. I will take your advice
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2019
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