Looking at Melton. Thoughts?

I agree, sort of.
I always looked at my weekly settlement. If I got paid $11-1200, which I mostly did, I counted it as OK. I figured I signed on to do a hard physical job. That's just part of being a flatbedder.

On the other hand, I've spent 8 hours securing and re-securing really bad loads over a long trip. And didn't get paid for a minute of it. And THAT is really frustrating.

If you're going to do flatbed, you have to look at your weekly income. If you're making more than you would on a van or reefer, then it's worth it. It's just harder work and more of it. If you're only making what a dry-van guy does, it's not. Just my opinion.

Of course you have to compare what your making with the jobs you can ACTUALLY GET. Not what some guy who's forgotten more about trucking than you'll know in ten years is making.

 

Reefer sucks worse.
Always waiting on shippers,receivers..lose money ever day.
At least flat bedding,the experience,will get you better pay eventually.

 

When I was with Shaffer doing Reefer I made between $1150-$1300 a week (OTR working 7 days) with 6 months experience.
At first coming into trucking I wanted to do flatbed to stay in shape BUT once I did more homework I felt the pay wasn't much different from pulling a box. Just not worth it and the risk but that's just me.

 

My last gig, I was paid hourly. So, I did get paid for securement, loading, unloading, resecurement, etc. I wouldn't touch it for the same pay or less than I am getting for a reefer, even though I prefer it.

 

Hey now, if I got laid for Securement I'd be all for it!

 

Especially if chains and straps are involved.....

 

and for protection.. tarp it!

 

Especially if it's an " oversize load"

 

I got hired on with a small company that only pulls reefers and I came straight from driving in the oilfield. Any of the megas will take about anyone also.