In search of a good flatbed company

daddy2 check local lumber company suppliers, sawmills in area?? Just got flatbed job HOME EVERY NIGHT (and definitely making more than ever OTR )

 

With all due respect GMAN--carriers, for the most part, only care if they can get a potential driver onto their insurance policy. This is the leading factor that companies use to determine how much experience they require for a potential driver.

The fact is drivers move around, and move around A LOT. Carriers do care about terminations very much, I will give you that. They care about abandonments, quitting under a load etc...

Any driver in his position is looking at one thing, and pretty much one thing only. Does he have a good psp/mvr and can the company get him on their insurance. That's the fact of the matter. That is the exact reason why he will have more options after a year. He will be insurable by more carriers.

It is a very rare carrier that is looking at overall employment stability, and it is zero carriers at his experience level that are looking at such a thing.

Now with that said. In the spirit of what GMAN is trying to tell you about job stability, and being farsighted, know that Maverick also has a temperature controlled division. I am however unaware if the hiring area is the same between each division. Once you are already hired in though, if it was different, switching divisions may not be an issue. What is better? Losing a driver or letting him switch divisions?

So there I see a potential plan B if you find you prefer reefer over flats.

 

Mcelroy has my vote. I talk to the recruiter while in CDL school. He says that their driver are home every weekend and even holidays. The only reason I'm choosing to go to Roehl Flatbed over them is because I'm a veteran and Roehl offers military apprenticeship.

After 12 months, I'll probability switch for the constant home time. If I can't find something local.

Best of luck to you.

 

Congratulations on the twins, Not sure how old the babies are but they will need your input into their lives alot more as they get older, I know you want to be home for every whim and crackle and everything else that happens with babies as they grow older but if you tough it up now and run with one that will get you home every 14 days they I'd take it because they will give you the experience to get home every night! As you progress through your career. I have 4 kids and I find that with SKYPE I can see them growing and I get a few minutes with each child each time we skype, I know it isn't the same but then when I do get home my time is very focused to them and my wife, I call it quality time rather then quantity time. JUST MY 2 Cents Worth.

 

Most carriers do care about the number of jobs you have had the last 2-3 years. We don't want to hire someone who may only be with us for a couple of months and then move on. It is expensive to hire new drivers. It is much less costly to retain them, so we look for drivers who have not had more than 3 jobs in the last 2 years and that is rather lenient. At one time I spent a lot of money checking credentials and references before turning them in to the insurance company. Now, I start with the insurance company and if they like the driver then I do my checks. Insurance companies do pretty much dictate whom we can hire. I need a minimum of 2-3 years recent experience to cover a driver. Sometimes, I would like to try hiring someone with less experience and a lot of initiative and train them how to properly do the job. Due to insurance company requirements, it is difficult to take a chance unless you are among the larger carriers. Many of them self insure and are able to spread the risk over thousands of drivers and trucks. When I started, it was much different. Were it not for the insurance companies, I think you would find more smaller carriers willing to train inexperienced drivers. Once a driver gets 1-2 years experience, it is much easier to go where you want. At that point, you have proven your abilities and will have more doors open to you.

Drivers who want the better positions should plan on some longevity with their employers. Turnover is down to about half of what it was only a few years ago. I think part of the reason has been the economy. The cherry jobs will be gotten by those who show a history of sticking with their company and having a clean record. Those who complain the most about pay are usually the same ones who move from one job to another.

Everyone should have a goal. If your objective is to pull a flat bed, then you should put a plan together on how to get to that point. I would recommend that any driver plan on staying with a company for a minimum of 1 year. It takes time to learn the system of any company. Some drivers leave before learning how their company really works.

 

McElroy is home every weekend - I went to them straight out of school in 98. good company. lots of tarping. Buddy Moore Trucking wants 2 years exp. Great company to work for . I have been here 5 years.