Too old for flatbed?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by majorbanjo, Jun 23, 2016.

  1. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,136
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    Number 5 was a gal in Houston. Long ago but like yesterday. Should have married her. But... it probably would not have worked out in the long run. I consider myself very fortunate.
     
    G13Tomcat Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. G13Tomcat

    G13Tomcat Road Train Member

    11,872
    42,142
    Jun 7, 2011
    Ohio
    0
    @majorbanjo thank you for your service. I'm a bit [very little bit!] younger than you, but I sure will stick with tanking, as @Chinatown said. . . easier on the body, and the pocket. It still has it's physical aspects; catwalks, tank hatches and hoses etc, so you will get your work out for sure. I respect the He!! outta the OS/OD ~ HeavyHaul flatbed guys; I get stuck in Ohio winters with a few of these, unfortunately; they never go 'without a hitch' . . . could be just me but .... nah!! No matter what, it's all what you make it. LEARN IT, DO IT, AND SAFETY FIRST!~!!

    PS: I don't think your age has any thing to do with what your physical abilities are; just ask my wife, LoL!~
     
    Lepton1, Dave_in_AZ and x1Heavy Thank this.
  4. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

    5,296
    6,521
    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
    0
    40 years old (where'd the time go? I swear I was young and stupid just yesterday!), dragged a box from 98 til '13. Been an open deck runner ever since (2.5 years!). Can't go back to dragging a box now, I've just started figuring the flatbed thing out!

    Yeah, I get hurt more often and it does take longer to heal (if it heals at all!). But worth it in the end. Much happier as a flatbedder that I ever was as a doorswinger. I stay with companies a lot longer now, too! Generally stick with a box hualer for about six months, just celebrated my two year anniversary with my current carrier!
     
    G13Tomcat, Lepton1 and x1Heavy Thank this.
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,959
    170,860
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    I drove for Schwerman and made $65K, but every terminal is different. I wasn't out of the Jacksonville terminal.
     
    G13Tomcat Thanks this.
  6. majorbanjo

    majorbanjo Bobtail Member

    44
    38
    Aug 23, 2013
    Lumpkin, GA
    0
    I wen to their website and they require 2 years OTR experience and one year flatbed/stepdeck.....rules me out.....as a new CDL recipient....
     
    TripleSix Thanks this.
  7. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

    5,296
    6,521
    Aug 8, 2009
    Meadville, PA
    0
    Apply anyway. Flatbed has been hit harder than other sectors in terms of "driver shortage", as very few younger drivers want the additional labor of being a flatbedder. Frankly, todays younger drivers WANT to hit the dock and sit in the bunk playing video games for four or five hours rather than chuck some chains and tarps and get down the road.
     
    Lepton1 Thanks this.
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,959
    170,860
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Rinaudo has been hiring new cdl grads. Maybe they changed their policy or the website isn't up to date.
     
    TripleSix Thanks this.
  9. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

    18,536
    129,829
    Apr 10, 2009
    Copied in Hell
    0
    Try calling them. They used to take on students.
     
  10. Gmike2511

    Gmike2511 Bobtail Member

    15
    3
    May 31, 2016
    Houston tx
    0
    Nah you good ive seen some older ppl do it and they look like they were on there 60 big belly person do it no offense to anyone but you be ok
     
  11. rda2580

    rda2580 Heavy Load Member

    749
    5,484
    Feb 22, 2012
    Lower Michigan
    0
    Hey Agitator just my opinion but with all that experience please post more than just 20 times! Don't let valuable experience remain under your hat, for Gods sake spill!
     
    Lepton1 and G13Tomcat Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.