Thinking about going flatbed

If I remember right, Mercer requires either 6 months or a year of flatbed experience.

I don't think that's any real gauge of competency though. Try calling around for a small fleet owner within the flatbed carriers. See if they will train you, and drive their truck for a few months on percentage pay.

 

1 year ago, I was basically in your exact same position. I made the change and wish I had done it years before. As for securement, it is honestly just common sense for most things. There are plenty of securement guides and some companies will train you. I just went for it and used my securement book and advice from others on here. It was not very hard at all. Jump on in, the waters fine.

Here's a link to a good securement guide online:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/cargo/cs-manual-intro.htm

 

I love pulling a drop deck, as for securement common sense

 

Don't blame ya. E-Logs are not horrible, but sometimes just 15 min can be the difference between making it home or sleeping in the truck another night. Besides that, I wouldn't mind them as I've ran the before w/o any problems but I always booked drop-n-hook loads when I had it which made it a breeze. As for live loads and unloads (about 99% of flatbed loads) it really puts a hurting in you.

 

Just curious, but the two companies you named Maverick and TMC run elogs. You're ok running elogs as a company driver but not as an o/o?

 

Tmc does not run elogs.

 

You can lease on to TMC, I mean unless you're absolutely brain dead, you can pull a deck, everything I've learned ha mostly been self taught and some I've learned from other drivers new and old

 

I too was in your shoes in May ... Now I know everything there is to know about flatbedding just ask me

All jokes aside 1. DO NOT PARK YOUR TRUCK .... I went to CRST Malone and to be honest the securement class was kind of a joke, but it gave me a good baseline for what I needed to know... Its a lot of common sense and make sure its right there is no perfect answer to securement but a little common sense goes a long way. While I was in orientation I realized it was not the company for me and started the paperwork for my authority 3 weeks later I was on my own.

One thing that you will learn is flatbedders are quick to assist and teach....even though I had this class and securement guide .... Guys in the field, and right here on this site gave me my true training.

It doesn't take much, when you get your plan together come to Ohio follow me for a couple of days and I can help you on your way