Flatbed companies and Military experience

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by BigBCL, Aug 12, 2016.

  1. BigBCL

    BigBCL Bobtail Member

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    Does anybody know of flatbed companies that will use my military experience as experience? I'm in a very weird place right now, because I have my class A, but because most companies won't ecpect me because not going to truck driving school. What I have learned its really not a company thing but a insurance thing. In the Army I was a heavy equipment operater and we hauled all our own equipment.
    I'm going to go to truck driving school to refresh on driving manual transmission, since the military are automatics. I have problem doing that since my gi bill cover. Had a few companies offer refresher train with signing contract, but I don't want to be stuck with doing a contract and things go bad.
    Can any one also recommend companies out of the Memphis TN area or companies that will hire out of the Tennessee.
    Thanks for any advice or help you can offer.
     
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  3. Sho Nuff

    Sho Nuff Road Train Member

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    I can't really recommend any flatbed companies, but USPS would probably hire you. Your years of service counts as experience if you drove in the military. We have special provisions where military vets are preferred over civilian applicants, but you still have to pass a road test though. All of our vehicles are automatics.

    Tractor Trailer Operator is a level 8 position. USPS is a Federal job, and if you're at top rate, you can potentially make almost $100 and hour here, and you're home every night.

    Maybe an option for you if flatbed doesn't work out.

    I wish you the best of luck.
     
    Chewy352 Thanks this.
  4. ZhenyaP1991

    ZhenyaP1991 Medium Load Member

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    I suggest you go through entire truck driving school and go out with the trainer. Cause military and civilian truck driving jobs are complete different. I was an 88m in the nation guard and I couldnt even back up, lol. In the military you mostly drive in thr convoy with an a driver. Out here you are by yourself driving in heavy traffic, trying to find the placr you never been to.
     
  5. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Tmc has a program just for you
     
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  6. BigBCL

    BigBCL Bobtail Member

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    Sho Nuff, thank you for the insight and I have thought about that also.
    ZhenyaP1991, I agree with you that going to school will help out in a great way. I guess I need to rephrase to, that once I start with a company if or will they us my flatbed experience.
     
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  7. BigBCL

    BigBCL Bobtail Member

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    Gunner, they are on the top of my list. Talk to them a few weeks ago and said get 3 months of experience or go to one of their truck driving school they recognize.
     
  8. ZhenyaP1991

    ZhenyaP1991 Medium Load Member

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    Agreed about TMC. Youll fit right in. I think the guy who ownd TMC runs it like military. But youll stsrt from scratch, you have to. The way military these days, just not enough experiencd to go out on your own.
     
  9. BigBCL

    BigBCL Bobtail Member

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    I agree I have to start over again and have no problem with that. I think I heard the owner was prior military.
     
  10. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Harold was not prior military, he does have great respect for vets, they also are participants in the va ojt program. 2 year program, you'll get an extra 1500 a month in va benefits
     
  11. BigBCL

    BigBCL Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for that info on the owner. I saw on their website about the va ojt program and is one reason they are on the top of my list. Do you or have ever worked for TMC?
     
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