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Thinking About Going Back OTR

Discussion in 'Melton' started by britishblondie, Oct 7, 2013.

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  1. Oct 7, 2013 #1
    britishblondie

    britishblondie Bobtail Member

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    Feb 7, 2012
    Tacoma, Washington
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    I'm fairly new to trucking, I've only been driving for a year and a half now. I left Central Refrigerated, but I'm looking into Melton now. I've seen their site, they have a very good feel to them. (Pay seems good, benefits are great, etc).
    My question to anyone who works for, or has experience with Melton is this: I know its a flatbed company, and I was wondering how heavy tarping/chaining is? I mean...I'm a 140 pound, 5'9" woman, and I'm not an ant, I cant lift 3/4 x my own weight hehe :) Is it hard on your back, or is it what I've heard; that the tarps weigh 100 lbs, and the chains are almost just as bad?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated, I look forward to hearing from you guys soon x
     
    britishblondie, Oct 7, 2013
    britishblondie, Oct 7, 2013
    #1
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  3. Oct 7, 2013 #2
    jxu417

    jxu417 Road Train Member

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    Oct 16, 2011
    Midwestern OH
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    Go for it. We have a few female flatbedders over here at my company and they do just fine. Heck, the shippers can usually forklift your lumber tarps (the heavy ones) up on top of the load for ya if you ask them to. I have on a few occasions. I bet you'd really enjoy the challenge- both physically and mentally- of flatbedding. Good luck!
     
    jxu417, Oct 7, 2013
    jxu417, Oct 7, 2013
    #2
    Puppage Thanks this.
  4. Oct 7, 2013 #3
    fr8te_sh8ker

    fr8te_sh8ker Medium Load Member

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    Jul 8, 2013
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    It's a physical job where even if you could manage to lift a heavy tarp can you lift it in the elements, and can you lift them to your shoulders and push them onto the bed then get up there and lift them again?

    All that before you leave the yard. Then what if you're underway and DOT wants to take a look?

    Whatever you decide to try, don't sit too long before you get another job. Employment gaps are a big deal in this industry and it'll get harder to hire on with each day you're unemployed, which I assume you are now.
     
    fr8te_sh8ker, Oct 7, 2013
    fr8te_sh8ker, Oct 7, 2013
    #3
  5. Oct 7, 2013 #4
    Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    Sioux Falls, SD
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    As with any lifting, technique is more important than brute strength. I think you will be OK with the demands of the job. I don't know much about Melton but the few drivers I have spoken to over the years seem to like them. Boyd and Maverick are two others worth looking at.

    Good luck from another Xpat, left Coventry UK 1989.
     
    Dryver, Oct 7, 2013
    Dryver, Oct 7, 2013
    #4
  7. Oct 7, 2013 #5
    Clyde07

    Clyde07 Heavy Load Member

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    May 28, 2013
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    I suspect before this post is 24 hrs old, you will have several offers from other drivers who will volunteer to team with you or even follow you around just to lift your tarps for you.
     
    Clyde07, Oct 7, 2013
    Clyde07, Oct 7, 2013
    #5
    luvtotruck, Chinatown and The Challenger Thank this.
  8. Oct 7, 2013 #6
    o/otony

    o/otony Light Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2012
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    im 5'9" 155 pounds you'll be fine.
     
    o/otony, Oct 7, 2013
    o/otony, Oct 7, 2013
    #6
  9. Oct 7, 2013 #7
    luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona
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    Isn't Central Oregon truck out your way as well? they would keep you busy there is a thread or 2 on here. I wish you well.
     
    luvtotruck, Oct 7, 2013
    luvtotruck, Oct 7, 2013
    #7
  10. Oct 7, 2013 #8
    bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

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    fontana ca
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    And you win the prize for being the 1st one to go there.
     
    bigdogpile, Oct 7, 2013
    bigdogpile, Oct 7, 2013
    #8
  11. Oct 7, 2013 #9
    britishblondie

    britishblondie Bobtail Member

    45
    33
    Feb 7, 2012
    Tacoma, Washington
    0
    Haha! I highly doubt it, but if you're right, I'd feel extremely flattered none-the-less. :') I'm currently looking at some western region jobs, so we'll see what happens.
     
    britishblondie, Oct 7, 2013
    britishblondie, Oct 7, 2013
    #9
  12. Oct 7, 2013 #10
    BrenYoda883

    BrenYoda883 Road Train Member

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    Sep 18, 2013
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    Hey.. I am a female and I pulled flatbed... It isn't that bad.. I have done construction before where it is hard work and heavy lifting for 10 hours a day.. and I did all year round.. flatbed was easier then that..
    Yeah, there will be challenges.. it is not fun to tarp in the wind.. or rain.. but, it doesn't take hours to tarp and secure the loads...

    I like flatbed and would and hope to do it again..
     
    BrenYoda883, Oct 7, 2013
    BrenYoda883, Oct 7, 2013
    #10
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