Reefer driving for rookies?

maybe it is just me I find reefer to be easy hauling
more often then not the places are ok if not easy
some are terrible but some dry van places must be too
waiting and early am deliveries can be fustrating
but i like getting up at 2 am and starting my day
if i get to a meat plant that looks problematic i just drop my trailer
throw the yard jockey a 5 and he moves it for me
my carpal tunnel was acting up the other day the yard jockey moved my empty then came over and hooked me all up and raised my landing gear on my hook up
said us old guys have to stick together that 5 created lots of good will

 

Ok I've read this for a day or two--and wasn't gonna jump in--but here goes--The starter companies--ie Mega's doing reefer--ain't one bit different than pulling any other box--they are not doing anything real tricky or complicated--Now having said this understand I have pulled a reefer forever LOL!
First off you will almost always be doing truckload--most if not all your loads will be shipper loaded and sealed--Most if not all of the big carriers that have gotten involved in temp control freight have invested heavily in LOTS of wagons and there is a considerable amount of drop and hook.
Yes you will be going to many metro areas--and I don't care what city you go to or what kind of wagon you pull--metro areas can get tight etc--it's the nature of the beast in this business....
But for the most part you will NOT be doing anything difficult--other than you will have to check temp in transit and keep fuel in the wagon...as for delivery times--they will vary just like anything else--
A lot of you see some of us older types discussing all types of multi temp-multi stop type of very sensitive freight--there are no MEGA carriers doing this kind of work.
The only exception you might find to this is some of the larger carriers dedicated to big box retail--ie:Wallyworld Target etc--and then it is only DC to Store which typicall isn't very far or on trailer long and if there is any product problem in transit==said product just gets returned to DC..
I could go on and on--so please feel free to ask any serious questions about this and sure go ahead and flame too--I've got thick skin--LOL
The only thing I just cannot understand--is with the average manufacturer truckload temp controlled rates--Why any company with any knowledge of this biz would take on the added costs of refrigerated freight at dry rates?
just my $.02

 

LTL reefer ain't for everyone !!

 

Gotta learn it some time. If you can get the hang of it, you can roll just about anything. Flatbed is an entirely different animal. There is no comparison, and that is some serious work.

 

You got that right!

 

yeah but somebody's gotta do it! LMAO

 

Somebody does, and it's not for the light weights! Gotta put your big boy and big girl pants on for reefer . . . at least real reefer running!

 

more work for us..

 

I did flatbed for 3 months and all I have to say is I commend all you flatbed drivers.It's hard work especially with those heavy tarps.I'll stick to van and reefer,lol.Anyway a dry van is easier but learning reefer is a sinch.But it's alot more rsponsibiltiy.Two drivers got fired for not reading the temp on the bill.That's all i'll say about that.It is more work then a van.You get alot of small warehouses to deliver to at ungodly hrs that has no overnite parking.Lets not forget the fun wash out on a nice day and have a long like waiting to get their trks washed.The reefer unit pretty much does all the work.You just have to babysit it and for god sake,check your bills for the temp.

 

Reefers .... Load 'em like rail cars and drive em like race cars! If you do start hauling it and you probably will be going to the same places very often, you'll learn where you can sleep right in their dock because they will be at least 4 hours and WILL wake you up when they need that dock. Walmart is pretty good to deliver to, time wise, usually never more than 2-2.5 hours... so long as you aren't one minute past appt time .......... If you are good at it, the work will come steady. Steady in trucking is nice. Even though you are going to different customers, you will learn it all and it becomes routine. I like it.