what to do

Working twice as hard as you should be because you're not used to load securement, but that'll only last a short time.

I found flatbed very rewarding. I miss it when the weathers nice haha

 

You won't make what you were told, you will second guess yourself almost every day. You'll wonder, "what the heck" while trying to tarp with the tarps being frozen in s 20 mph gust and why it took you 2.5 hours to do it. Most, not all, newbies to flatbedding go through this, but don't worry.
If you really want to do it, push through all of that for about a year or year and a half.
"Then" a light will go off, and then it just comes to you.......you'll secure faster, you'll tarp faster, you'll be more familiar with the shippers/loads, you'll know the routes, etc.
At this point, its gets fun and you'll earn the money that's is closer to the amount you are looking for.
But remember, we flatbedders work. There is no picking up a van preloaded from a DC and just checking the seal on the door and be bopping down the roaf to the next DC to wait 5 hours to get unloaded. (No offense to the van guys)
What I'm trying to say is: Don't get discouraged. By you asking the questions, you have licked half the battle.
(I am a flatbedder, its all I have ever done with my cdl, besides Raildeck, and that's flatbedding to the next level, but that's another story.
I tell you this not to discourage you, but to let you know the truth).
Good luck Driver.

 

This is so true. I'm new myself and was asking the same questions. You see the dry van and reefer guys clean and in the truck stop 3 hours before you and wonder "what the hell?" But I'm glad I'm doing what I'm doing. I enjoy the challenge more then anything.

 

You get out of it what you put in it. A good attitude goes a long way.

 

i'm looking to go to one of the two companies below to pull flatbed, any info on these companies
smokey point
prime

 

Catalinaflyer works for Smokey Point. Perhaps he could answer some your questions.

 

Thanks