Going Flatbedding need info please?

Thanks for the input, Now that I think about it that does make more sense. That way you could remove the Tarps without unsecuring the load. (in a case of LTL) We only tarped if it rained, so if we started out with a tarp and a hundred miles down the road, the sun came out and we had clear skies, we could take off the tarp and roll it up instead of screwing with it all day at each stop.

 

I went with Maverick after looking at the same companies you are considering along with a few others. I was an owner-operator 25 years ago and recently decided to get back in to trucking. A lot has changed and some have not. Maverick has an intense orientation and training course at their Little Rock campus. Safety is their number one priority, which it should be. TMC (The Maverick Cheerleaders) was my second choice, but I'm glad I went with Maverick. I'm still on a trainer truck, but have no calms about joining Maverick. I'll be running the eastern US in their RAT division once I test out in a week or two. Orientation pay was $500 and training pay is $450 a week. Trucks have all kinds of safety equipment, lane change warning, following to close, vehicle on side warnings, etc. Maverick is all about running legal, staying safe and making money, which is how it should be. Personally I'd suggest you go with Maverick!

 

Agreed. The only time I've tarped and then strapped is when the load was too low to use the D rings on the tarps, like a rebar load out of St.Paul MN.

 

mrgiturdone
Thanks for the insight. I really am leading that way but will have to see. I'm on the edge of hiring zone but recruiter said he felt I could get on so waitin till I get closer to starting school in a few weeks. How much is it costing on the road? also do you mind me asking what you get after taxes? You can email it to me if you want at rh25@yahoo.com Thanks and keep it safe. Maybe I will meet you out there someday!

 

Drivers can spend a lot of money eating at truck stops if they don't cook or want to eat healthier. Maverick will advance you money, but that's a bad habit to get in to as it reduces your paycheck. While at Orientation they provide a shuttle so you can go to Walmart and get some food. They have grills and refrigerators you can keep stuff in. I bought a small styrofoam cooler and kept some milk and a few things in my room while at the terminal.

Most drivers have a small refrigerator in their truck. Some have ice chests, but you have to keep buying ice. Maverick will allow you to buy an inverter. You can run a small refrigerator, crock pot, electric skillet or microwave and prepare some of your own meals if you really want to save money. You have to pay them to a one time installation fee of $250, which you pay for through payroll deductions. After that, if you move to another truck they'll move the inverter free. Basically you are paying them for the wiring and one time labor charge. In the long run you'll recoup the cost by fixing some of your meals yourself.

Groceries at Wal-Mart are cheaper than eating at truck stops. You can eat at Fast Food places, but that's not a healthy habit to get in to. I use to carry charcoal and grill when I was an owner operator. It's cheaper to buy a nice T-bone than what it costs to eat off the buffet with a drink and a tip. I try to eat healthy and buy fruit, apples, etc. You can bring stuff to make a sandwich and chips from home once you get going. Eating an apple takes the edge off and is better for me than a Big Mac. Sometimes I'll buy breakfast, but usually I'm good with a cup of coffee. You can bring donuts, bananas, etc. which again will save you money. With the 11/14 rule you are usually done by 7 or 8pm and have plenty of time to grill or microwave something for dinner a couple of nights a week at least. A small George Forman grill works great. Grill chicken breasts or hamburgers. Otherwise you'll be spending $15 - $20+ per day on food. That adds up real quick! You have to be smart about it. I have a family to support and my wife and kids can't eat out every night, so why should I!

My take home while in training is right at $400, but that too will depend on how many deductions you claim and if you opt to do a pretax deduction for food, etc. which is allowable by the IRS. I claim 10 so the IRS doesn't get as much each week. I'd rather keep my money than give it to them interest free for a year. There's enough deductions being on the road that I don't usually have to pay any taxes with a wife and 4 kids at home.

After 60 days you can get health insurance, etc. which will also reduce your take home pay. Watch your fuel mileage, don't idle when you can, keep your speed down and you'll earn a decent fuel bonus each quarter. Maverick gives you plenty of time to get there. You'll have time to stop for lunch, plus cook / eat, shower and sleep at night with your 10 hour break.

 

mrgiturdone
Thanks for the post. I figured about $100 a week for food. But like you when I'm out I will do what I can to bring as much food as I can. Of course that depends on what the trainer will allow. I wonder if I could claim a higher deduction during training and then drop it once being paid milage? They training pay is the only time I think my finances will be tight. Once out getting 2000 miles a week will easily cover what I make now at current job. About how many miles are you getting during training? Thanks for the info and look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

2000 mile per week is that all the maverick drivers are getting? It does cost alot to live on the road. Make sure to get the truck stop drivers card where you fuel at to get your free showers. Take and make as much food in your truck as you can you will save alot $$$$.

 

Back in the 80'sTMC was a class outfit whenever you saw one of their trucks it was clean whatever the weather and they had standards for load securement that does not exist today.

If I were you and I wanted to learn how to do it the right way I would go to Maverick because they now have the highest standards in load securement.When you drop and hook flatbed loads everyone needs to be on the same page or you end up fixing a lazy man's load.

Having said all that I would not reccomend the Flatbed side of trucking to anyone now because it has been in decline for several years due to decline in new construction.

Maverick began pulling reefer trailers recently for a reason reefer frieght has increased throughout this recession.Food is recession proof.Even if only the rich can afford to eat some one will need to haul it.

 

Big Rigger
Thanks for the advice. I still want tgo go flatbed for other reasons as well. But will say called TMC and they are sending me a pre hire letter. I'm still wanting to go to maverick but want to have back up plans just in case.

 

Not true. I was listening to the Roaddog channel on Sirius about a month back, and they were talking about flatbed having 18 loads available for every truck willing to carry it in the US. Reefer was around 8 per, if I remember right. There's always money to be made in flatbed.