Do all flatbed companies have a tough guy chip on their shoulders?

Never get a chip on my shoulder until I try to help someone out who seems to have no clue and get an attitude from them. Then I get a chip. I also get my phone and take pictures and send them to the company asking would they feel safe if their children were to pass by this truck.

That load is my responsibility. Once I accept it, I'm responsible for not allowing you to get hurt by it. I'm also responsible for not letting IT get hurt by YOU.

I still don't tarp with precision, I hardly tarp at all, but I'm always striving to get better. I envy the guys who can holiday wrap trailers that don't billow at 70mph.

 

As a driver yanking a flatbed, you want to avoid THIS at all costs!

 

Does this guy look like a flatbedder? He was almost up into his 90’s.

 

Very dapper! Even has a crease ironed in his slacks. Near 90 and still dragging chain? Tough old b@st@rd.

 

Yes, some flatbed companies have a “we are the masters of the universe” attitude about them.
A few companies come to mind. Part of this is culling the heard. Flatbed is a job that can injure or kill someone in a heartbeat. If you make a mistake, it could cost a life. Flatbed IS a thinking job, often it’s on the fly. You may not think it takes a lot of understanding of things like math or physics, it does.
You need to do this in your head and quickly.
Sometimes it can be putting together a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle, that has to be done right the first time.
A company, owner op whatever has to have some level of trust that the person representing the company is competent and capable.

Can I be a bit arrogant, yep.
This is MY truck and trailer, you want your load on it, you do it my way or take it off.

 

If you owned a flatbed company and was going through the hiring process with drivers, and you conducted 50 interviews,

a. 40 would tell you “No Northeast.”
b. 35 would tell you that they are solar powered
c. 5 would be so stupid that you couldn’t even converse with them.
d. 10 would apply having no idea about anything flat bed related.
e. 25 wouldn’t be able to pass the physical.
f. 10 wouldn’t bother showing up.
g. 20 would show up late and 5 of these would bring their old lady in to speak for him.
h. 3 would honestly be able to just jump in a truck and do the job from the word GO.
I. One guy would be an A Game driver and would require ZERO handholding and coddling.