Flatbed Really Interests Me But Is It A Bad Idea For A Greenhorn?

I have worked the past 20 years in the telecommunications industry. My job consists of handling and carrying a 95lb ladder on a regular basis working in all types of extreme weather here in WV. Crawling under houses, working in attics, driving a company pickup with no accidents, keeping customers happy, ect, ect. i love working with my hands and in my mind a physically demanding job is both mentally and physically healthy for me. TMC has shown interest in me and I feel like I am ready to make a move but I know nothing about trucking and don't want to make a bad decision right off the bat. Any input on this decision would be much appreciated.

First thing I want to say Dan is that if you start your response a little lower on the page, after your response will appear outside the quoted text like this.

The second thing is that I also came from the telecommunications industry only I was on the CPE side of things. I have been doing flatbed from day one. My first solo load was 10' wide. If you have the drive to be the best and some common sense to go along with that drive you will be fine with fladbed.

Lol.....Really not cut out/meant for it?? lol Out of a fleet of over 1200 flatbedders I never ranked lower than 128th.....and usually hit it around 25-35. My average mileage a day is anywhere in the upper fives to the lower 700.....(My truck is unrestricted) I have already driven over 120,000 miles in less than a year. Also the old company blows up my phone weekly asking me to return. I try and be honest with my reply and tell it like it is.....if I did not enjoy what I do, I would be doing something else. I chose to leave the "company" culture that was prevalent there. I also talk with many of my fellow flatbedders in other large companies as well as gypo's (A logger's term) The other large companies have a 6 month retention rate around the same 2%. I did ask a few that were in the position to know how they could afford to train 15-30 drivers every week, paying for their hotel, food etc. and have such losses. Guess what, they get federal funds that pays for that. It cost them very little and that is their approach. Don't tell new drivers that they also hire dispatchers that have never been in a truck before and would not know a Volvo from a Western Star. When you tell them you cannot drive a 180 miles in 2 hours for a pick up and they get insulted and insist you try.....all because they forget to send you the reload info on time. Or they send you across the border to pick up a load and then when you try and reenter you find that the green dispatcher "forgot" to file any paperwork and now you are stuck in upper Detroit with customs, begging for the use of fax machines and having to go through x-raying the truck, visual inspection of a tarped load, the wasting of 7 hours of my "time" because of a company that cares. Now these are not life enders nor do I lose sleep over it but this is what happens. That is the reality. Here is one....it is midnight, raining I finish strapping and tarping a load, 3 tarp, 53' bed 8 foot off the deck. A driver (different company) comes up to me and asks how to strap and tarp this type of load because he had only a brief introduction to it in his orientation. So yes, I did help and teach him and encourage him telling him this is probably one of the worst loads you can start as a new driver with. I know because this type of load was my very first one.

The photo is realistic and THAT is why I pointed it out.....but the weather does not bother me .......it seems to bother others...Tomorrow when I unload my copper...in the blowing, wet snow...I will have a smile on my face..... Not resilient? Really? That has brought a huge smile to my face. Learning how to adjust your brakes, use safe practices and taking care of oneself is not only prudent but it is necessary for a driver. I want my rig to stop when I need it. I need working lights on my truck. I want to stay healthy so I can work, I want decent equipment and pointing out the super "slicks" as a hazard is not a complaint and anyone who has driven on them knows that they are a different animal and not nearly as safe as duals. Having health insurance is a a good hedge against life interrupters. And learning how DOT works does not have to be done by having your wallet emptied. But go ahead, tell these folks that a "company" will put your interest before theirs.

Now unlike a lot of drivers I never have driven a box or reefer......is it easier? That I cannot tell you ....but I do know how to drive a flatbed and have never been late or had a load rejected.

The gentleman who wrote the initial inquiry seems like a realistic sort of fellow. And if he wants to try his hand at flatbedding, well great......He can do it! I know because at 58 years of age I can do it. I will be on the road and when someone asks my help to unfreeze their trailer brakes or needs a tug start.....yea....I do that.....But I will not lie to someone nor will I play favorites. I leave that to the "corporate" types.

BTW TMC is a good company ..........They will train you well.

Forgive me George, I seemed to have misunderstood you.

But please, spare us your rants against corporations and big companies. They make no sense. It's all fine and good if you prefer working for a small company, many folks do. There are plenty of valid reasons to work for the major players in this business, but I'm afraid you have blinders on your eyes -the typical trucker mentality that we resist in here.

You judge my experience and how they operate as a rant? Based on what? Me telling you how they operated? Did I not just say they trained me well and that they are a good option to be trained? I work for a small company because of other factors I did not bring up. Which btw is a corporation. I will in the near future, with more driving time/experience be working for a larger corporation that has a different "corporate" approach. Be safe out there, driver.

You judge my experience and how they operate as a rant? Based on what? Me telling you how they operated? Did I not just say they trained me well and that they are a good option to be trained? I work for a small company because of other factors I did not bring up. Which btw is a corporation. I will in the near future, with more driving time/experience be working for a larger corporation that has a different "corporate" approach. Be safe out there, driver.

George, Old School was not the person who suggested you weren't cut out for this. It was the original poster, Dan.

You were unnecessarily negative in your initial reply to Dan...

George I wasn't implying that you weren't cut out for the job and I appreciate all replies including yours. I was just questioning why if you hate your job do you continue to do it? Your reply gave me a negative vibe but that's ok I appreciate the honesty. Every job has people that hate it and people who love it but I come from a place where I truly need a change. I have done the research and I understand that it will be a challenge but I think this is for me. I am excited to get a chance at trucking. Sounds like you do take some pride in the job that you do and that is a good thing.

I have been around here for a while and I admit this reply is the one I most looked forward to. Thank you old school and your words have only inspired me more.

Ladies and Gentlemen......Meet the newest Member of the growing by leaps and bounds, Old School Fan Club! Old School has been a great inspiration to me too! Nice to have you on the Forum. Come by and see us more often!