Can Someone Tell Me The Pros And Cons Of Being A Flatbed Driver?

I think this is what interests me most. The added responsibility of securing the load and checking it regularly seems right up my alley. Also from the research I have done (mostly on this site) Maverick seems like the best fit for me and they have a glass division. Any info on what that is exactly or what differences could be expected would be appreciated. Thanks

Dan, follow This Link for all kinds of interesting reading about flat-bedding.

I will say this driving flatbed is a lot more fun for me then driving box or reeffer. I know other drives thought that can't stand it.

Thanks for responding old school. I had already reviewed that thread but want to hear it in your words. Is flatbed worth it? You are the best on this board from what I have seen so give me your advice please.

Dan, follow This Link for all kinds of interesting reading about flat-bedding.

Thanks for the response. I feel like I would be happiest with flatbed from what I have learned from the site.

I will say this driving flatbed is a lot more fun for me then driving box or reeffer. I know other drives thought that can't stand it.

Pros: the variety of freight we haul and the challenge of securing it.

Cons: the weather, i may be the exception, but the weather is never in my favor.

Pros: The variety of freight. Usually the highest paying segment of the industry. Good for people that like hard work. Prepares for the next step up - specialized hauling.

Cons: Bad for people that don't like hard work. Most dangerous segment of the industry - as far as risk of injury goes. Having to work to secure and tarp loads - regardless of weather/environmental conditions.

Rick

Dan, it will be late tonight before I'm free again, but "I'll be back!."

Dan, here's my 2 cents worth.

First, I pretty much agree with the pros and cons others have given. I don't mind weather much. Extreme heat is by far my least favorite, but I have learned to adapt.

I'm not usually a patient person, so when I started a couple years ago, the stories I heard from reefer drivers of waiting hours to get loaded or unloaded didn't appeal to me. Also, having to hit the appointment time within a 30 minute window and the 3 a.m. appointments they sometimes get didn't seem like fun.

Now, I don't know if that stuff happens all the time since I've never pulled a reefer, but flatbed loads almost always happen during normal business hours. I have picked up and delivered a few loads in the wee hours, but less than a handful in 2 years.

I have waited a few times at shippers and receivers, but not very often. My record for a drop and hook is 12 minutes, and for a live load is 24 minutes, from arrival to departure. Once, though, I had to wait 21 hours to get loaded. (Guess where, Old School?)

So there's that. The other thing I like about flatbedding is that it is active work. I hate sitting around, but there's almost always something to do outside the truck when loading or unloading in this line of work.

On the other hand, sometimes I look in my mirrors and wonder if I'm crazy to be hauling whatever's on the deck. I mean, if it fell off, it could be disastrous. So there are times when I stop more frequently than required by law to check my load, which can slow you down a bit. It's kind of like the "Did you turn the oven off?" feeling some people get. If you tend to worry overmuch, that could be a real issue.

Hope this helps.

Had one more thought. It helps if you can be methodical, since that is the best way to avoid securement mishaps. If you like to do the same thing ten times ten different ways, that may make it harder to flatbed.