Swift flatbed vs Roehl Flatbed

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lightside, Aug 5, 2015.

  1. GWS

    GWS Light Load Member

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    Couldn't agree more, tarps more protected from elements and dealing with them in bad weather and APU's!
     
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  3. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    Well I made a decision. Was offered an I-5 corridor route with 2300 miles. This is with Werner. Driving tractor/trailer van. 2 weeks out 2 days off. Wanted to be close to home so that works out. Can always upgrade to Western 11 later.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2015
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  4. 59EX

    59EX Medium Load Member

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    2 week out and 2 days off seems a little rough to me but best of luck!
     
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  5. Paul Geanta

    Paul Geanta Light Load Member

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    Auch!

    no 1 you do not pull a flatbed at 35 c/ mile unless it is empty!

    Flatbed work is hard work and if you just started in the industry I would advise to take 6 months on a dry

    I know prices suck but with a flatbed you put yourself in danger and you put others in danger 4 times you do with a dry van!

    How many days they give you training?
     
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  6. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    It probably will be but at least they won't have an excuse not getting me home lol.
     
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  7. Paul Geanta

    Paul Geanta Light Load Member

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    Oh really! And how is that? Why no excuse?
     
  8. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

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    Cause I live along the corridor I will be driving. I was joking anyway.
     
  9. Paul Geanta

    Paul Geanta Light Load Member

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    My friend, I do not say do not get into flatbed but please do not hurry! It is hard work! they promise you the sky and the sea but you get ...... really hard work!

    Saw a guy once walking on the trailer with small steps checking fow many feets were between the straps! he was hawling pipes!

    Flatbed is a #####! Nothing below 40 c/mile is ok! You will have to tarp1 sometimes loads higher than you are! strap chain!

    A chain is 35 lbs if not more! doyou know how much work it takes to move them 50 feet?

    Please do not accept less that 40 c/ mile!!!!!!! ad that is if you have no experience!
     
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  10. GWS

    GWS Light Load Member

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    Hey Paul, thanks for the info. As a new driver without a current CDL in my location the options are limited, very limited. Roehl starts at 35CPM for the first 3 months, with a 1 cent raise automatically every three months after that for the first year. They do not require any CDL school loan payroll deductions, which is basically worth 3CPM. Yes, there is a contract, but there is one at every other company that does company sponsored CDL training. With Roehl I will be payed while training, even in CDL school. Every starter company have its cons, and a few pros, I understand that and have done my best to research all the info I can that i can find. Flatbed is just a personal choice, but I may change my mind later.
     
  11. Paul Geanta

    Paul Geanta Light Load Member

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    I see you! It is a fact that it is very hard to get your CDL in the first place! I was lucky! got in canada with a gov sporenced school. Total cost was 130 and training was 6 months!

    During those 6 months they showed us everything! and flatbed was part of it!

    we even did dumpers!

    I will not say that out of school I was ready for everything, but after a few years driving a van I was ready for flat and I tried it!

    It is very nice HARD work! I stopped because I came to the conclusion that with a dry I make the same money without tarping, strapping or chaining!

    Trust me those tarps are as heavy as your GF and you only lift them .....

    Good luck but please do not stay long with a big company

    Flatbed in chicago area pais 50 to 60 c/mile even if you are a golden chain! (golden chains means that your chains look like gold)
     
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