Too old for flatbed?

All these hire new cdl grads. If the website has "experience required" then the website isn't up to date.
Trimac Transportation
Superior-Carriers
CTL Transportation
SVTN
Tidewater Transit
McKenzie Tank Lines

 

@Old Man .

I saw a driver pull out a mobility scooter and help his wife into it so she could scoot around and release bungees on his tarped load.

I had to leave, but I could only presume the couple in their 60's would probably untarp and unstrap the load, roll tarps and put them away.

No - I've seen many senior drivers flatbed.

 

Ive pulled tank van and open deck, didn't start open deck till I was 48 and wont go back to anything else. I am far from in shape these days but still out work most of the kids. Don't rule out open deck, but for the most part its a love it or hate it deal. I like the challenge of proper securement on strange loads, the fact that we seldom wait to load or unload, and being treated like a person at most shippers and consignees.

 

Well when I was a kid our phone didn't even have a dial on it, and I still run open deck.
I have friends that are 71 and 74 that still run flat. Your just a pup, tankers will make you fat and lazy.

 

Because he gets $25 an hour to unload, plus .48cpm. Insurance and all is paid for.

 

That's good reasons. When I pulled reefers I got stop pay plus kept the lumper money for myself by doing the unloading. I could make $200 - $300 tax free cash a week by doing that. My poor old back is still paying a price for that...lol.

 

I'm in your same boat. I am retiring after 20 years and I also thought about Flatbed. After some research I just don't want to put my body through that after 20 years in the Army. I'm going to do Tanker here in Savannah. I'm looking at Superior right now but CTL also hires grads out of school. Just take a hard look at Tanker as it seems your options open up a little more.

 

Im not too old for flatbed either. But Im a tell you that my work now if I did it will take too much time. And doing battle with canvas is not something I will want to do. The kind that rolls up into a lump big as a man and weighs as much as one. Off the deck into the box no problem. But box to the deck then to the top of the load? ow. Forklift please....

Binders, pipe, chain, etc all fun with the thousand cuts slowly maintaining and improving your iron content in blood. That should be good for the health.

It would be good to get out of this cube and get into the sun, ice, rain, storms, tornados etc.

 

Thank you for your service. If you are looking at options other than flat, consider Schwerman. In this area they only accept Veterans as entry-level drivers. It appears they have terminals in Jacksonville.

 

Meh. Running open deck OTR is probably one of the easiest things I did during my time as a driver. At the worst, it's a couple hours of suck, then you drive. Nothing like construction, logging, etc. If you feel you're up to it, then go for it. Who's telling you this, anyhow? Other students?