Comments By Kevin L.

I figured it was time to update you all. As you may know I’ve been driving flatbed. Well like most people I guess the grass always looks greener on the other side. I’m coming upon my six month mark with this company and had my share of mishaps along the way. I found myself giving everything I felt I could for this job even breaking my log on several occasions. At one point I had some issues with my fleet manager who was angry with me for shutting down with 2:11 left on my 70 hour clock in my third week of recaps. I managed to treat him respectfully while disagreeing with him yet calling him sir repeatedly.

That upset me and had me looking to quit. Instead I thought about why I was so unhappy and realized it was because of the pay and the amount of work to earn it. I know I did and could get faster but securing and tarping was taking away from my abuility to drive and make more money.

I determined flatbed may not be for me and spoke to the company about their tcd division. I went through two days of training and got assigned a different truck and trailer last Friday my first two loads total about the same miles as my high mileage week of driving flatbed plus it’s likely I will get about another 1k before this week ends. I was also assigned a new fleet manager it is like night and day. And I still work for the same company. And for the first time I’m not afraid of dot or scales as I know my weights are good after scaling every load . Also I’m running much more detailed logs spending a lot of time in sleeper berth

I have been talking to another driver here in PA and we have been debating what he will need to do to get his cdl back. I have an idea but he has another so I want to ask here and find out for certain.

He had a Pennsylvania class A cdl when he drove a regular car and broke enough laws he had his license suspended for one year that began last July. His CDL expired in December. Now he knows he will need to pay a restitution fee but he thinks that’s all he needs to do or pay. I think he will need to pay the renewal fees and may need to retest entirely as it will have been expired over 6 months by the time he can have it reinstated. Can some of you out there please clarify the process.

Thank you for all the replies. Yes I am still with Maverick and I believe they have treated me very well overall. Brett is right that my own stinking thinking is a problem I have been working through. The idea of putting down 15 min for no tarp and 20 min if tarp will solve the 70 hour problem. But it will create another problem as if I don’t get faster soon at this I may not be able to get proper rest either. I spent probably about 5 or 6 hours just getting loaded and securing a load of slinky’s in the pouring rain Friday. Simply because I was uncertain of what I had to do watched a video for 6 mins then did it. I was at a shipper that does not allow you on the trailer. This is my first load of slinky’s and I have 15 of them going to NC from CT. Once I got rolling it was rush hour through nyc. Got as far as bordentown NJ for a 34 now made it to emporia va today. I have been thinking maybe glass or reefer is a better fit but have to give flatbed a fair chance in my head. I have mixed feelings about the pay in general because I’m used to being paid for my time at work not just half or less of the time.it really is a change in mindset as well as lifestyle.

How do you view your HOS when your new to flatbed for example? It goes for all forms of trucking but when you get paid by the mile your not paid hourly for securing or tarping or double tarping other then maybe a small tarping pay maybe. As a new person it can easily take several hours to properly secure a load even longer if it has to be tarred. Experience will make you faster at it but that really just reduces the basically free time you give to the company. Even if you just take the time you need to do it right then you blow out your 14 or 70 hour clock and then can’t drive. If the wheels are not turning you are not making any money.

My fleet manager basically wants to see as few hours on duty not driving as possible. I see off duty as free to do as I please just like I can at home. I have come to a conclusion that even with eld we are expected to alter our actual hours worked to suit others needs but I just don’t know how much.

I agree with the going to a company sponsored training program. I would suggest researching different companies to find one that offers the type of trucks, cargo, training, environment as well as commitment. It is always best to not leave your first company within the first year some may have less commitment than others. Also you may look for hidden expenses and training pay. For example I drive flatbed. The company I work for provides drivers with everything they need to properly secure a load. I have been told that is not always the case with all companies. Also, keep in mind not all companies require training as a team driver (where one sleeps while the other drives).

Best of luck be safe

Just to reiterate these points.

I just showed a birth certificate with an official seal and a valid Illinois Drivers Lisence and I was good to go. Name on the DL and BC must match identically.

That is interesting. My CDL lists my middle initial but my birth certificate lists my full name. I applied for a passport and used my CDL AND Birth certificate as ID and put on the application for the passport my middle initial so it would match my CDL. Then when I got my TWIC only required the passport for ID (CDL was optional) the lady was going to put my full name on my twic application until I pointed out the middle initial was optional and both my passport and CDL only listed the initial. Now all my ID has only middle initial except my birth certificate.

I think you may have found one of those companies that does not want to accept any training other than their own. Class B motor coach drives different than a straight truck or a school bus for that matter. The is also a difference between OTR and local driving. Another thing to consider is driving bus your cargo loads and unloads itself unlike a truck.

I drove straight trucks for plumbing supply houses for years when I was younger. I left the industry for over a decade. It was not till last year I drove a school bus for about 6 months. Now I drive a flatbed class A truck. The pay is far better but you will work for every bit of it.

I would suggest you simply apply elsewhere and keep your head up you will find something if you don’t give up. If you want to become more marketable simply work on improving and protecting your CDL. The more you can drive the more valuable and versatile you are to business.

I think we all go through similar experiences. If you would have asked I’m sure others would have told you driving for food and beverage companies can be very physical work. I went flatbed and can tell you it is far more work than I expected. Especially when I came to the realization I only get paid for driving all other work is not compensated as I get paid by the mile. I had to look at it from a bigger picture my weekly paycheck is for everything I do. If you stick with it you will find faster easier ways to do it and make more money. Most people around here will tell you to stick it out for a year minimum. Personally, I strive for 6 months right now. If I can make it 6 months I will work on 8 or 9 then I believe I will have my own system down and just keep going. From what I see around here coke and Pepsi are union jobs and money can be made there.

How many of you remember having boxes with your electronic equipment installed in it so you could easily carry and setup your cb or radio in the truck. Maybe you would be in more truck in a day or a week? I ask this because I have been thinking about a particular two way radio I dont think will fit in the overhead compartment of my assigned truck. The company has a rule prohibiting drivers from installing cb radios. I understand this is to prevent damage or modifications to their trucks. I completely agree with said rule and have no intention of modifying their property. I was considering having them install the antennas and me building a slipseat box then simply connecting to the wires overhead to the box which could be secured to a seat base with a bungee cord. I could also simply get power from a 12v outlet. I’m not sure if that would be frowned upon by the company or not as long as their property is not damaged. I was thinking of putting a cb a scanner a gps maybe a car stereo in the box that could be connected with appropriate leads.

Back in the days when I was driving straight trucks for supply houses, many of them would lease trucks from Ryder. Even though I was paid by the supply house I had to go through additional testing with Ryder to be qualified to operate their leased trucks. Ryder actually issued the drivers cards certifying us if we ever got pulled over. We were supposed to provide police with in addition to our license. Their testing usually was simply a depth perception eye test a hearing test and a basic driving skills road test. I can imagine things may have changed but that practice may be common among large leasing companies as well.