To flat bed or not to flat bed?

I vote for NOT.

 

Flatbedding is one of those jobs that you get into because that's what you want to do. You are undecided. You're looking for pros and cons. The guys in here will tell you that's what they love to do and want to do, and those others that were undecided like you will tell you how horrible a job it is. And of course, then the doorslammers will all chime in and tell you how happy they are to have learned how to open and close doors.

So, judging from the heat outside and the number of doorslammers lurking in this forum, I figure that the correct vote would be NOT.

 

I made the jump from dry van over to flatbed almost two years ago and haven't looked back. Flatbedding is the best thing to ever happen to my career.

 

I've met a few female flatbedders in my time. They could outwork the guys nine times out of ten typically.

 

Every female flatbeder i have ever seen exsuded confidance. Im sure there are wash outs. And yea there is a open deck learning curve. But think of the looks youll get hopping out at the ts, some guy pulling a van says you pull that? Yup. You tarped it? You respond,Yup, nice box, you open the doors? do it! Whats the worst? You go back to vans...

 

It's a very brief period of manual labor followed by driving. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking open deck work is strenuous.

 

I'm supposed to go into tanking like my dad but... I skateboarded as a kid and I want to skateboard as an adult.

I say do it, but make sure you're going to love it. Otherwise do tanks. Career happiness is more important than pay.