flatbedding, tough group to get into?

I responded to the thread (need help getting into flatbed) by petey387. Read what I wrote him and the same applies to you. A cpl more posts and you can pm me. I also just posted more pics in the pic thread with a short description of what to expect. Big companies can teach you good stuff but there is a different, cooler but tougher flatbed world out there. I'm 43 and it kicks my butt sometimes but that was what I was looking for.

 

I don't think any one will give you 5 days off for 3 weeks working. no company likes for the truck to set that long. Combined Transport out of Central point Or. pull glass out of fresno cal. out 3 weeks 3 days off. or run I 5 to Canada be home weekly. must have 1 year flatbed.

 

I would work on finding someone that runs the Western 11. If you try to run longhaul off the left coast, I think you will be spending long periods away from home. There is not enough freight out of Cali to get trucks out of the Western 11. Most companies will probably want to bounce you around the Eastern half of the country for a while once they get you out of there. I think there are a fair amount of companies that run regional open deck operations.

If you have your heart set on long haul, I would suggest ATS (if they hire from out there), System, or Combined.

 

Melton Truck Lines now does flatbed training.They except you right out of school. They did'nt train when I was with them but I hear that now they do.

 

A few of these outfits you don't even need to speak English very well.

 

I ran for Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa for a while. Wasn't too bad.

 

Just wanted to say that flat bedding isn't for everyone.It takes a special kind of person to do it.It sounds like your not lazy.You would do good.I did it for almost 20 years,but health issues made me switch to tanks.But my heart is still in flat bed. I hear TMC is a good co. to work for.If you can buy a truck I would say hook up with Mercer.A freind of did last year and loves them.Truck Safe.

 

Best part with flattbedding, you can all your anger out on the load securement wise.

 

the rider policy at most companies are direct result of insurance requirements, so most companies will be quite similar.

IMHO, you'd be a good fit with Maverick, or maybe Boyd Bros. if your outta mavs hiring area.

 

Been working the last 5 years in Dry Van. Monday I take the Leap and will be a Flat bedder.