Hard work?

The hardest part for the new guys is thinking. A shipper puts something on your trailer. You tell them where. Do it wrong, and the guys in the coup write you the biggest tecket you've ever seen. Do it right, and there is peace in the universe.

You have to secure it according to DOT regs. Do it wrong and every flatbed/specialized/heavyhaul driver that has ever existed, living or dead, is calling you a dumb@$$. And they can tell from 3/4 of a mile away. And the DOT, they will revoke your ManCard.

Next, they want you to rag your load. Do it wrong, and you will have the longest, most troublesome drive ever imaginable as the wind starts slinging bungees off, ripping your tarp, and making life unbearable. Do it right, and people will ask you if you used to work for TMC.

You deliver your load to the receiver and he checks it over. If you did it wrong, your cargo insurance takes a hit and claims adjusters start asking a whole bunch of stupid questions. Do it right, everyone is happy and you are on cloud 9.

 

I wouldn't say it's hard work, I'd call it a free gym membership you get paid to go to LOL

 

Just keep away from the truckstop kitchen's and you will be fine. That is the downfall for ALL drivers, no matter what they pull. These places cook everything in lard and a pound of butter (as you can tell by looking at most drivers) but at least with flatbedding you will get some exercise. It is hard work, and you will freeze your butt off in the winter and swaet it off in the summer, but it's better than holding a wheel for 600 miles everyday.

 

Most of us enjoy the work. It also keeps us from competing with the dime a dozen dry van carriers. There are dime a dozen flat carriers, but usually they don't keep good customers due to claims.

 

It aint that bad and has its ups and downs. I love it and the best piece of advice I can give is pay attention to other flatbedders. There are tons of ways of doing something and you can learn what works for you best by trying what someone else does. Follow your gut instinct also as you will see some loads that you dont want to duplicate and it just wont look right to you.

 

Anyone have the securememt link handy, on my cell and cannot hot link it.

 

So should an out of shape 47 year old who is new to trucking choose flatbedding as his first choice? (assuming he has the determination to get back into shape)

Or... should he choose dry van and migrate over to flatbedding (hopefully)?

 

No time like the present to get started pulling a skateboard..In the meantime get to the gym. (Myself included)