Best flatbed companies for someone with no flatbed experience

Set your sights a LiL higher then Mercer

 

That's not necessarily true. Your more specialized companies like ATS, LoneStar, EW Wylie, etc...will not have the level of training like the Melton's, Mavericks, and TMCs. If a company hauls mostly steel and lumber and pipe, they can cover those things with more details and instruction. The specialized haulers carry everything...there's no way they can cover their commodities in an orientation class. If you can pass the basics in orientation, they will pat you on the back and wish you luck. You may get to a shipper and your very first flatbed load ever may be an oversized load. Difficult? Depends on how well a driver can adapt. Takes a little getting used to backing a trailer with an oversized load on it because you can't see the trailer and you can't see the lines in the parking lot either.

EDIT

Forgot to mention, if you go to a specialized hauler for orientation, odds are you will be meeting experienced drivers. Be a friend, make a friend and keep in contact. If you get into a tight spot, they will know exactly how to get you out. You will be thrown to the wolves, but you won't have to face them alone. But that's entirely up to you as a driver. As far as the trucking company goes, they're not going to hold your hand while you learn.

 

Why do you want out of crude?

 

Don't forget Keen Transport.

 

They have terminals in Laredo, League City, and Victoria, run trucks up and down 59 and you are not in their hiring area?