flatbedding, tough group to get into?

check out my thread called "my sammons experience" under motor carrier inside scoop

 

To the OP, I would give Boyd Bros a call. I started with them and I think they are one of the best "Starter" flatbed companys out there. There load securement training is great. They pay mileage, and I want to say there starting out around .39 right now.I don't know if they hire to far north into MI, but if you tell them your willing to stay out for a couple of weeks at a time they might be more apt to take you.(This really applies to any co. out there unless they are based in MI or have a regular frieght lane thru there.)

To the poster that asked about Home Run, I have never worked for them but I have talked to some of there current and former drivers. The general consensus I have heard is to stay away. I was very interested in them because there about ten miles from my house but with all the negative I never bothered with them.

 

Boyd is good on hometime. If you got Dennis, he's a good dispatcher, but took local. They try their hardest to get drivers home. One way or another, you will get home.

 

Let's not get carried away. I did meet Rick Roehl at the TCA Conference in March. We were both getting safety awards. Needless to say, we were in different divisions.

 

I don't know anything about Swift's flatbed division.

 

I'm not biaist about my company, I just spill the beans about them. I know NOTHING about other companies.

 

One other thing, that shiny black truck won't put money in your pocket or get you home on the weekends. Keep an open mind. TMC may be the best option for you, but treat all options equally. Figure out some sort of list of criteria or ranking system...and try not to be lead around by your gut.

 

tmc requires a minimum of 2 years flatbed experience, mostly for insurance reasons. ive done some research on them myself, and am working on getting my 2 years, from what ive gathered they are one of the highest paying flatbed companies out there, unless you get into a specialized outfit, i.e. over size/ heavy hual. and i have yet to hear a bad thing about them, i know a few guys that drive for them, and they are home most weekends and still make over 65k a year.

 

TMC takes students, you do not need 2 years experience. They also do good at getting you home from what I hear. But they are very strict with there rules.(For instance if you walk on the grass at the terminal in orientation they will send you home on the spot. I'm not even kidding.) They also watch your every move with the quallcom from what I here. Then again there probrably on elogs now so it doesnt really matter much any more.

 

Hey all I have been driving for Schneider for 2 years and looking to make a move now. I don't have enough saved up for my own truck just yet, but I am looking for a Flatbed firm that hires from Calif (I live in the 831 area code BUT commute to Stockton to work for Schneider), I already spoke to Melton but to be honesty they want a minimun of 4 weeks out then home for a few days, not interested in that. I want to go max of 3 weeks out and hopefully I can get 5 days home time. Am I being unrealistic? If so let me know, I'll just stay with Schneider until I get enough saved up for my own truck. I also need some training as I have only driven Van and reefer's so far but I am drawn to skateboards for the rate's and I just feel that's where I want to be.

Looking for good flatbed companies that hire from Calif, will let me go out for 3 weeks then home time.

Thanks in advance for the help!