TMC or Jordan Carriers

Britton Transport has an excellent reputation.
@MrEd works there in flatbed division.

 

Ive talked to jordan and TMC drivers as i see both often in NC/TN. Both groups seem happy but jordan sounded like theyd pay a bonus for flatbed experience and 62 would be a slow death for this ungoverned driver.

 

Look, the first year is about nothing but survival. Learning, growing and not screwing up.

The money comes AFTER you complete the first year. The first year (no matter what you are doing) is just time served/boot camp/whatever. Just survive.

You are uninsurable at any good company without that first year of experience. Once you get that (and a good MVR) you are golden and can do anything. Worrying about 1c or whatever matters not at all for the first year of experience.

 

Don't worry about your pay rate, it's not going to matter if you work for a bad company that doesn't give you good training and a variety of experience. You've got to earn a higher pay rate and better equipment and lanes.

If you're young and motivated, I've heard TMC is the best US carrier to get started with in flatbed. They are among the top in pay for the motivated and are going to provide you with the greatest variety of freight (most starter flatbed places are going to be sticks and bricks for the greenhorn).

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Governors are great for new drivers. They teach them control and humility. They aren't the safest option (if a truck is governed, it should be at 65 with 67-70 for passing) but there aren't many drivers these days that can be given an ungoverned truck and still be able to run it safely and efficiently (especially with elogs and pushy dispatch).

Young drivers think "if I run at 85 mph average, I can make more money per hour!" Little do they realize that most tires aren't designed for regular, loaded travel over 75 mph, blowout chance goes sharply up past 65 and wind drag on the truck does nasty things to fuel economy past 65 (especially for flat-fronted loads on a trailer).

I currently drive an ungoverned truck that's geared for 70 mph. I run at 65 not only because my boss requested me to for tires and fuel, but because I find it's the safest speed to run fully loaded. I've got passing power so I don't clog up the hammer lane, but it's the most stress-free trucking I've ever had.

Getting into a hurry is the worst thing you can do in trucking.

 

Jones Bros. Trucking
Home - Jones Brothers Trucking
https://www.jonesbrotherstrucking.com
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I’ve been at Jordan for a little over 4 years. The company seems to treat us well. Always had a good steady paycheck and home just about every weekend

 

Have you yet chosen, or still looking? I'll hold off further comment until/unless you reply, in the name of due diligence. Also, where do you live?