Coupla flatbed questions

If I wanted to end up in flatbed, might as well start there.

But I've only been driving 4 weeks now, so what do I know?

I am flatbedding too.

 

Yes start in flatbed... tmc , system transport.

@Chinatown

 

It would only take you a few days doing flatbed work and watching all those dry vans/refers at warehouses etc to realize you are glad you started in flatbed.

Make sure you research all avenues of using your GI Bill however, some deals out there pay you every month on top of earning your regular pay via the GI bill. VS spending that on driving school. This may be one case where hiring on with a company and doing the years there is worth it.
Or, pay cash for CDL school and save your GI Bill for other endeavors. Life changes and whatever may wish you had it later.

Oh and whatever branch of military you were in, if you made it through boot camp then you won’t fail at flatbed. Good luck

 

I did years of dry van before I ended up in flatbed. I wasn’t even really attracted to flatbed, I just kinda fell into it and was instantly hooked. I don’t regret my years of dry van work, but I definitely will never go back. I think if you started out with an outfit like TMC you would do pretty well.

**I should add though that I have only done local flatbed work. I love it love it love it, but local driving is kind of its own animal. I have no problems loading and strapping and delivering multiple loads a day (Yes I also do my own loading and unloading), but if you stuck me in a big sleeper truck and told me to take this load across the country and be in this exact spot at this exact time, keeping the load safe secure and legal the whole way, I would probably be lost and would fail miserably.

 

Locale wouldn't be an issue I think. Since you desire OTR, I'd think most companies would be more than happy to take you on.

 

I would call TMC. I know they have some dedicated stuff around Massachusetts, so they have people near you so to speak. Their hiring map can be bent some. Worth calling imo

As far as falling, it usually happens when in a hurry or doing something you probably shouldn’t. Not a “common” issue really

 

Best thing about flatbed is there’s a 0.001% chance you’ll be hauling something that’s a one off / never been done before. All you need to do have a list of experienced drivers in your phone you can send a picture to and ask questions. When in doubt use more straps. Lots more.

 

I'd agree. That's what I've done. A lot of my former customers flatbed, so I'll text them a pic and ask for advice.

Someone also mentioned posting a pic in the flatbedforum here. Lot's of experienced hands there.