Newbie Needs Flatbed Advice

It's not your fault. Ignored.

kthxbye

 

Fresh out of school and you are making .37? How many stops do you usually have? Normally I would have one stop and that was it.


To give the OP an example. Swift I believe you get .26 or .27 a mile

 

Good deal if you can start at that rate. I did not know there where companies paying students that much a mile.

 

I have pulled flatbed for most of my driving career and only started to pull vans/reefer full time for the last 2. I find flatbeds easier on the mind then the other trailers, plus you get some exercise. Yes tarping can be a pain when the weather is bad, but on a nice day it's fun because you get to be outside in the sunshine. I also had longer miles then I do with vans, and the pay was better. Shippers are happy to see you and so are the receivers. There is so much good stuff I can say about flatbedding, but not a lot I can say about vans or reefers, to me reefer were the worst. I quit my job a few weeks ago and I'm going back to the decks and a more peaceful life.

 

44oz of coke? jesus man why not try drinking something a little better like water or gatorade??

 

I was 50 years old and 300 lbs when I resumed flatbedding in 2001 after a 30 year break.

My son said I'd never make the cut but I did everything that was thrown at me for almost 6 years. I quit when my right shoulder got so bad I could no longer lift a chain or throw a strap.

It's the most rewarding work I've done in trucking. I'm proud to say I hauled dozens of loads to support our troops in Iraq and Afganistan. I hauled emergency repair parts to power plants and water treatment plants after several hurricanes and floods.

It's a special lot that can secure, tarp and transport a load safely day after day.

Any monkey can close a door.

 

Yep. I drive for Builders Transportation out of Memphis.

I drove 2800 miles last week. That includes 2 700 mile runs.

 

Boyd is a good company. I have heard a lot of good things about them.

 

Oh man that is where I drove back in the 90's. They gave me a piece of crap cab over that was a mess. That is where I got my flatbed experience. I did not even know they where still in business. Brings back memories. Bright green and orange truck.