Well I'm finely through school called Swift today and the recruiter told me she would have no problem getting me in flatbed as long as my background comes back okay, which it should. I really praying I get hired on and if I get flatbed that' ll be a great bonus.
Swifty skateboarders how's the miles been lately??? Are the swift's trucks actually setup for flatbed work? I hope some reads this and answers me I haven't had much luck with talking to any skateboarders for Swift. Thanks
Maverick is hiring in your area...and they pay better than Swift. I'm not sure if they are taking anybody without a CDL though...call and ask them. I never can keep up with them on the hiring and training thing...go the their website (google Maverick Transportation) and check them out. The website says they are taking students without a CDL...but it may or may not be up to date on that, it changes rather often.
It's okay I'll make due with whatever company hires me and put in a solid year (or more if I like them) and keep a clean record. My goal is to eventually start my own company right now just looking for a place to learn and hopefully save some money to start that company.
Why on earth anyone wants flat bed is beyond me. I watched the poor guys trying to tarp last week in Laredo. We had 30-40 mph winds at the Swift yard. Most of my stuff is drop and hook. I seldom get dirty, seldom touch the freight. Not much extra money to bust my tail for it. While you are securing and tarping I am rolling and making money.
I don't mind getting out of the truck and doing a little manual labor. I know swift isn't going to pay me a lot for it but neither is any other new hire company. I'm not looking for what it's going to get me now but if I ever want to do heavy haul I'll have my start and it opens more doors for me later when I'm ready to move on. If I can pull a flatbed I can pull a van. But if I only pull van then try to go to a good flatbed company they won't hire me. It's all about opening doors for me that's all. Besides I'm only 25 I think I can handle the hard work that flatbedding can bring, but I do appreciate and respect your opinion.
Some of it's a mental thing, the fact that you can do it, do it well, and take pride in it. Usually there is much less waiting at PU and delivery points (compared to van drivers who actually do deliveries, not drop and hooks). Pay per mile is actually higher on average than van (even Swift starts flatbedders at a penny more per mile, and top pay is a few cents higher), and decent companies pay for tarping (some even to untarp). Flatbed companies, on average, are better at getting drivers home for most weekends. Finally, if you haven't done it, you wouldn't understand.
Thats a good plan. You'll make more money in flatbed and when you can get into heavy haul / RGN then you'll really make some good coins.
