One Of The Things I Enjoy About Flat-bedding

For me one of the things that makes this flat-bedding job more of a pleasure is the people on the receiving end of my shipments. They are often glad to see me, and I don't have to put up with as many receiving clerks (whose insignificant amount of authority has gone straight to their heads) at large warehouses or distribution centers as your average reefer or dry-van driver. A lot of the time I may be dealing with the actual owner of a small business or maybe a dealership of some sort. There are still some of the frustrating folks, like the woman at Lowe's I told you guys about not too long ago, but even then I entertain myself by doing my best to outsmart them!

Earlier this week I picked up a load of farm equipment (planters or seeders) at the John Deere plant in Moline, Illinois and delivered it to Baltimore Maryland. Here's a photo of what I was hauling:

When I got to my final destination the owner of the dealership came out to look over what I was bringing them and asked me where I was from. When I replied "Texas", he says "well you're a long way from home, are you headed home after this?" I told him "no, it will be several more weeks before I go home." He then replied with the kind of words that just kind of pat you on the back and make you feel really good about what it is you're doing for this great country when he shook my hand and said, "Well, I don't envy you guys at all on that aspect of your job, but I do want you to know that we really appreciate what you guys do for us. My dad and I were just discussing the other day how there was no way we could even keep the doors open if it wasn't for all the trucks and drivers who are constantly bringing us the goods that our customers want - thanks again!" I may be kind of silly, but I left that place with my chest puffed out a little further and my head held high. It's nice to have your customers express their appreciation for the manifold things we do that most people don't even have a clue about, and it's nice to be treated like a professional when many of the people in the industry are constantly undermining our image, our creativity, and our sacrifices for the advancement of the economic prosperity of this promising land.

Oh, and here's another thing that makes this job a real pleasure, although this one's not enjoyed only by flat-bedders, but by any hard working driver who starts his day early enough to witness the arrival of the sun as it sheds it's light on a new day.

Hope y'all are staying warm and turning lots of miles!

Great post as always. I have to ask, what's up with your splash guard that's supposed to be in front of the drives? I only see a mudflap in the back.

I may be kind of silly, but I left that place with my chest puffed out a little further and my head held high. It's nice to have your customers express their appreciation for the manifold things we do that most people don't even have a clue about, and it's nice to be treated like a professional when many of the people in the industry are constantly undermining our image, our creativity, and our sacrifices for the advancement of the economic prosperity of this promising land.

That isn't silly at all! I probably had someone thank me like that about 10 times in 15 years. When I say it's a thankless job, I'm exaggerating a little. You'll be thanked nearly once a year if you're doing a great job!

Man, now you've got me thinking about spring with that seeding equipment. It's getting closer! April 4th I get my first batch of chickens for the year! But it's gonna be a while before we can dig into the gardens. This winter was so cold the ground is frozen deep! When I run around in the pen with my steers (we play chase all the time) and they get off the thick bedding and onto the soil it sounds like they're running on pavement the ground is so hard. You can feel it shake underneath you.

And those are great photos! Man, if only we had like a photo gallery or something you could add those to. Personally, I think that would be great!

I love flat bedding because every load is different. From how you secure it to just the odd shapes that get loaded from vehicles to concrete pipe to oversized loads. Every one is different and every one is a new challenge. Like 12" concrete pipe that likes to move sideways on you or 7 foot tall man holes that weigh upwards of 10k each.... Can you say chains?

My last load, I had a strap break and the load never even moved because I over secure most of the time.