Going Flatbedding need info please?

Im begining to notice you really dont hear about flatbed outfits screwin with ya like Van /refer. Ive heard good about Mcelroy, Maverick, Melton, Boyd Bros and a few others. Is there a C.R.E of flatbedding? if so, Who?

 

Just left McElroy on 7/22. Freight slowing up already, only 4 loads per week for the last 2 weeks, then 3 loads for the week before. On top of slower freight, they are still bringing in new drivers, further thinning the loads. And I'm not the only driver who has noticed this. Ran into my trainer from 1st stint with McE, he turned in his trainer truck for a single bunk, said miles were WAY down, couldn't make it on trainer wages. Other long-term drivers were commenting on how it's slower earlier than last year. And don't think it's just drivers' B.S. When I left, I spoke with personnel to make clear why I was leaving. The guy admitted he had also noticed slower freight, saying it was slower earlier, and claimed they had stopped hiring a couple weeks ago. (Apparently he had not noticed the 8-9 drivers in orientation that day )


Something else that influenced my decision---McE has a few accts they absolutely DEPEND on, if any 1 of these accts dry up or worse, stop, McE is in trouble. Biggest is LOWES, which kept McE in business the last 2 winters. This fact was admitted in orientation by long-term McE employees. Next is TAMKO (roofing,duh). It had been at least 4 weeks since I have been to TAMKO, other drivers have commented the same. While McE has the lions' share at Tuscaloosa TAMKO, there are other companies pulling from there, some with quite a few trailers. Cumberland City (sheetrock) McE seems to have locked up, big drop-lot there. Every1 else has to live load. Sheetrock is dependant on the housing market, when that's slow trucking is slow. Lastly, SeverStal (coils) is busy/slow. Some weeks was nothing but coils, then other weeks coils were dead.


Got a feeling McE has once again over-hired, and will soon be letting some go for one reason or another, while "idling" some of the longer-term drivers, paying them $250/wk to avoid laying them off, all the while hoping the drivers will quit altogether.

This post is not any attempt to slam/slander/or dissuade any driver. It's just my opinion/my reason for leaving McE. Hopefully my next employer (will post in another section) has more/steady work. While McE's business model may work for some, I need to move constantly, otherwise I get to thinking, and thinking can be dangerous

 

[QUOTE=DragginMan Just left McElroy on 7/22.


Hope you found the right place for you. Where is your "greener pasture" DragginMan?

 

Would rather hold that info until I get thru orientation and get on the road. You know how it goes whenever you say, "I'm goin to ABC", drivers are immediate to naysay, no matter what. Would rather keep hopes up w/o others' doubting remarks. Will update soon.

 

We'll be here on the porch when your ready

 

Ok folks, I is BACK ! Been a long week up in Langhorne,PA, home of the oldest active carrier in the US. MC#76. Majority O/O, but the owner of the company has a small private fleet of abt 50 trucks leased on to the main fleet. Percentage based, first empty first dispatched, 50+ terminals 'round the eastern/midwestern part of the country. Trucks (all conventional Petes) governed at 69mph, 64 on the pedal for Canada regs, all autos. Covered wagon Reitinnour (sp?) with dump valve, lifts rear axle just enough to make the tight turns on the fwd axle. SA-WEET. Notice I haven't named the company , figured I'd give you a little homework, shouldn't be too hard.

 

I know Mavericks orientation is pretty hair rasin or can be for those not into the mind games of employers trying to get a reaction what are the physical feats you must complete as a 400 lb big boy do they frown on size and also what are some things i need to be prepared for during the first week i have read the post on here but most are fairly old as well as not descriptive enough for my imagination thanks a bunch Grave robber my email is John.jack.of.trades@gmail.com