Which is best???

Part of gaining experience in trucking is to find what you like best. You might hate flatbed and love tanker as they all have their own unique customers and ways of running. Flatbed could lead to heavyhaul, reefer? people always have to eat regardless of the economy, etc. Flatbed relies heavily on the construction industry. Most drivers will try different divisions and eventually settle in. It's kind of hard to tell you what's best for you.

If you think you might like flatbed then start out doing that. It's easier to learn load securement and tarping while in training. Tarping can be dirty and frustrating in high winds. But the customers seem better and there is a lot of specialized hauling in your future. You ain't tied up at some grocery warehouse trying to unload 30 trucks.

I liked reefer for the long hauls. You might spend a day unloading and loading but it's followed by 2-3 days of solid running. Freight is usually no touch.

Tanker I would wait until you get experience. You have to deal with that liquid surging. You don't want to go boom your first week out.

As far as a company driver the money is in LTL (less than truck load) like these P&D drivers (Pickup& Delivery) you see running around town picking up or dropping off a pallet or two. They usually start you out as a road driver and you work your way into a P&D openning. But once you have that job you are home every night and make better than average trucking wages.

When you drive OTR you work 24/7. One load you might be well rested and the next load you wish you could pull over and sleep but you can't. It comes with the job.

If you have business sense the ultimate goal is to become an owner operator and your own boss. But you need business sense. There is a lot more headache but there is a lot more money too. These lease options you see out there are false dreams for many. Some drivers see that as a way to become an OO only to find out when you go home or can't run good you get behind and finally fail. Some crooked companies will make you sit and take the truck back after you almost paid for it. If you want to become an OO then save your money for a down payment while you gain experience and learn the industry.

Nothing happens quick in this business. The first year is tough before the opportunities start getting better. A successful person will follow another successful person.

 

IMO ... Flatbed is fine but you need to have an especially strong work ethic and a high degree of pride in your work. Flatbed is not for everybody but is very rewarding for those who have what it takes.

 

Are you still studying on a trucking school?

 

If you want more respect from customers, try flatbeds. If you don't have a background that required heavy lifting and agility as well as some mechanical aptitude to problem solve, then go with reefers.