Flatbed companies recommendations for first year drivers

Cypress.

 

"BackwoodsGA" suggested Cypress as a possible place to learn to pull a flatbed. I can't disagree.

Cypress has mostly tarped loads, rarely is there an untarped load. You won't get rich working there, but you will get plenty of experience. I've been doing open deck for 26 years (as I write). I've even had some contract loads for Cypress (which they could not cover for whatever reason). Meaning, they do have the freight for a driver who wants to work.

While I never worked for Cypress as an employee, they were always professional and respectful to me as an outside driver.

 

I started with ploof in the 80s.They were bought out by cypress in 99 I believe.Excellent stepping stone to earn your bones.

 

I did local work for the Davis Brothers in the 80's. Hard to remember what I did back then!!

It would fun the remember all the companies that went out of business or were bought out over the years. So much history is not written about or recorded.

 

What about non-recent experience, how do insurance companies come done on non recent experience?

I have around 8 years driving flat and RGN, but I quite driving in late 2012. I even let me CDL go and starting the process of getting it back. I'm in oil field country and just got laid off.

 

Melton is an ok starter company.

 

Pick your poison , Melton Maverick or TMC. All are starter, all micromanage the piss out of you. All teach good securement. Personally, I did 2 years with Maverick. Get in anywhere with the big 3 , stay clean and protect your DAC. Much better opportunities out here with solid experience. Don't give up, they are going to test you.

 

If you haven't made a move try Jordan Carriers or ATS Specialized. As other have posted, Maverick, TMC, McElroy, Cypress, Gypsum, PGT all hire less than 1 year experience.