Profile For Tennessee Kid

Are you still liking them? They've been a top choice for me as well. Being home Friday and Saturday is appealing.

i missed posting yesterday, we was on backing yard and let me tell ya it’s a cultural change to a fixed axle flatbed from a box trailer. But I’ll not give up. Today I went on a 22 mile trip with a load it wasn’t that bad. Thanks guys for all you do out there on the road. God Bless!!

I’ve just completed CDL school, and my long-term goal is to become an owner-operator running flatbed freight—specifically targeting hotshot-style loads that fall outside what traditional hotshot setups can legally haul. I’m envisioning operating a day cab with a backpack sleeper and a 53' trailer, ideally staying out on the road for no more than two nights at a time. This has been a career path I’ve researched for nearly a decade, and I’m eager to get started. I understand that insurance rates become more manageable after gaining a year of experience, so I’ve been considering companies like TMC, McElroy, and Prime to build that first year in the flatbed segment.

My plan during that time is to operate as though the truck were my own—tracking all expenses, gaining hands-on knowledge of the flatbed industry, reviewing load boards at truck stops, and setting aside funds to purchase my own equipment.

For someone just starting out in this space, what advice would you offer to help lay a strong foundation for eventual success as an owner-operator?