Comments By Tracy M.

Thanks for the words of encouragement for those of us who have never driven a 10/13 speed.

Yea Now the fun begins - Best of Luck to you

Tracy, I've seen very few and a couple are Ladies that are petite and generally gets help because of their looks and how they flirt. Melton drivers have a lot of the same pick ups so it's normal for multiple Running Rabbits to just secure (most of us are OCD about securing OUR way) their loads and then go from truck to truck helping each other tarp. BUT I have met a few that are the Tom boy types just generalizing for you can get a perspective of them. I mean I went through orientation with a Lady named Jasmine She was maybe 25 and had no trouble with the 100 pound tarps. It depends on you and how willing you are to push yourself. Flatbedding is great money no doubt. but theres a reason, its a very dangerous job, and its very VERY hands on work. I started at 155 pounds and when I took leave I was in the shape BMI wise (body mass index) percentage of fat to muscle % as I was deployed in combat lugging 80 pound gear all day and the PT. And I didn't work out. during orientation you'll need to dead lift a 95 pound tarp from the ground (lift with your legs) to the deck of the trailer. and our trailers are aluminum so they bow. I'm 6'4 and for me it was chest height. Funny part, that isn't the test that knocks out most candidates its the balancing test Balance on one leg 30 seconds then the other. It gets a lot of people, more than the tarp or drug test. See if you can lift 95 pounds PROPERLY lift with legs, not back. then the balance. and we hair test, we go back 7 months. No tolerance for substance use. unless you had a script and if it's a illegal substance don't risk it. I hope that answered your question if not feel free to ask more questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. It's a huge factor in the decision of your career where a positive on a drug screen will end it before it begins. Remember, that 48000-49000 pound load that the shipper puts on YOUR trailer is your responsibility to be loaded properly and not uneven. Then you have to secure that load so it wont move. My thing when secure was am I comfortable enough for my family to ride next to my trailer my entire trip and know it wont come off and hurt someone. Trucking is a stressful life style, Flatbedding and the rules make it just that much harder. I had a receiver drop a maybe 30ish thousand pound beam on my trailer and just wreck it. if they want you on or near the trailer that can kill you. once again if you have more question i've been with Melton for a pretty penny and I am a road recruiter. So if I can't answer your question correctly I can call someone who can.

Thank you for the honest answer. I ran step with my ex and liked the physical labor. Tarping was not one of my favorite things and I sure could not left one on my own and I know that - I tried. They weigh more than I do :). I can left a 100lb hay bale but not to the height of a flatbed. As for securing loads and being sure the weight is correct is a big issue and every driver should be aware of this and be safety concise, I was taught well and always checked the load when we stopped. Guess I will look more at starting with a dry van and go from there. Be safe where ever the road takes you.

Thanks for the info on Melton. Do they have many female flatbedders?

Thanks for the insight and the very detailed account of school. Keep up the post.

So let me get this square in my mind...have you taken any training, or road with someone who was in training, or done with training?? Are you working now?? do you want to go to a private school, community college, or trucking company school ?? theres alot of questions and alot of decisions...Do you live close to interstate 84 ?? thats a major freight lane...you could work for alot of different companies if you are...

Have not had any formal training with a school. My ex was suppose to teach me so that we could team drive, but alas that did not go far, so I did the books and kept him on the road(Owner Operator) till our divorice. I did have my permit, so have taken the test and had limited drive time. I am looking at Company Schools(CrEngalnd and Swift at the moment). I work for our local Hwy Dist doing books and running road equipment when needed. Live in the Middle of Idaho literally, so distance is not a big issue to me, I have to drive 80 miles for any major shopping. Yes there are alot of decisions and questions and I read the blogs posted &has been very helpful. I liked being on the road and like to drive and now that my kids(son & daughter-in-law) moved home to take care of animals I get to leave home for a while.

Thanks for the recipe for trucker wipes, wish I had when I was on the road with my ex. But now that I am looking at a career driving on my own this info will be put to good use. This site has been such a big help in answering questions and giving me the confidence to know I can do this and make it through school. Just have to decide which one and get through the test modules. I drove in a training with my ex but was limited and loved it. Excited and scared to death :).

Need to remember that DOT physicals after May 2014 need to be done by a DOT Certified Physician. You can locate them on the FMSCA web page.

Daniel H. Would you mind posting your experience with Swift in Lewiston. Have checked out their requirements to start and are in line with some of the other schools out of state. I have sometime before I will be able to start, so using trucking truth to be prepared . Best of Luck as you start your new adventure.