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

Hey. Sorry didn't see this earlier as I've been on home time since friday. Which us definitely a pro lol. I drive for maverick so any questions you may have I can probably answer. Almost at 6 months already. So here's a few pros and cons..

Pros: Like I said earlier, most outfits will get you home on weekends and business holidays. I've had a few 4 day weekends this year. Like Bud said, loading and unloading is typically faster because a lot of times it depends on you. Typically you start out with a decent cpm as well.

Cons: When you start out, the sheer terror of making a mistake. I was so scared the 1st time I did a coil I watched my mirrors very closely. And with that, the danger of the job is concerning at times. Tarping can be a pain when you're new as you only learn with experience. Also the spread axle trailer backs differently than boxes so it's a challenge at 1st.

That's all for now anyway lol

Once, though, I had to wait 21 hours to get loaded. (Guess where, Old School?)

HaHa! That's an easy one Bud... That would be in Cressona, PA @ the SAPA plant.

I had a Canadian Owner/Operator come over to my truck one time while I was there and he asked me in broken French if it always takes two days to get loaded here?

I've got special clearance there and they don't treat me like the common people...

Dan, I'm not sure you understood how that link works that I provided you. That link gives you an entire list of threads that focus on Flat-bedding. For example here is just one of those threads that it can take you to. You should at least check that one out, as it has some great information in it. They are listed in order of their popularity, or the frequency of visits to them. The top one is on Flat-bed Variety, and I think you must have thought that was the one I was referring you to. You really should take the time to go through some of them if you are interested in flat-bed - there is a lot of information in there.

Okay, back to your original query as to the pros and cons of flat-bedding.

I just think this choice of which type of driving you want to focus on is really a personal thing that will be determined best by your personality, or as we used to say... "What ever floats your boat!" You see, some of the things that people might list as a negative for flat-bed, such as it's a lot of work, and or that you are more likely to get injured, are things that I don't even consider. Maybe if I get to where I can't climb up on the load, or something like that I might feel differently, but I'm nearing 57 years old and I still love what I'm doing, and am able to do it well.

I have always been a man of action. All the years that I owned and operated my custom sign manufacturing business I was very much a hands on manager. I like to be in the middle of the action. I might have to put on a suit in the daytime to go see a banker about a big deal, but as soon as I get back to the shop, I'm much more comfortable in my working clothes, out there in the shop welding or fabricating. I always enjoyed taking what most people saw as a pile of raw materials, and transforming it into something beautiful. That takes work, and ingenuity, creativity, and a certain understanding of how to get things done. That is why I enjoy flat-bedding. It puts me in the middle of the action, and I get to be a part of the solution of how each and every load gets there safely and on time.

Look, I think all successful truck drivers need to be creative in their thinking. There is not a day that goes by that they don't have to deal with all kinds of things that might trip up your average person's day. We have got to be able to get along with absolute jerks at times, while keeping our cool, we've got to face the quickly changing elements of weather and traffic every day, and there are challenges of unrealistically tight schedules, and a host of other challenges that face drivers of all the different forms of trucking. And as difficult as all that can be, a professional driver has got to do it all with grace and professionalism all the while realizing he is at the bottom of the totem pole as far as the hierarchy of the trucking company structure goes. For me, my life has meaning to it when I am overcoming challenges and doing that well. I need a lot of challenges to overcome or I am bored stiff. My mind enjoys being creative, I like to resolve issues and check them off my list of things that are done - like an architect at the end of a construction project goes through his "punch list" of things that are complete and done.

So rather than thinking of it in terms of pros and cons, I like to think of it as if it is something that fits your personality. Do you like working with your hands? Do you like working outdoors? Do you enjoy getting physical with your work? If you can honestly answer yes to those three things, and you are like me, then I think you would not enjoy just getting to swing the doors open on the back of a reefer or dry van trailer once or twice a day. Do you like resolving problems? Do you enjoy calculations - as in how many tie down devices do I need to secure this load properly and legally? These are the kinds of things that give a flat-bedder purpose and enjoyment in his work. I know it sounds silly to some truck drivers, but I feel a sense of pride in what I do, my heart rate actually picks up and I get a real sense of satisfaction after laboring and sweating over my tarps, and they actually come out looking really nice, almost like a well wrapped Christmas present! I am amazed when I hear truck drivers talk about going to grocery warehouses and having to sit and wait for hours just to get backed into a dock, and then have to wait for hours to get unloaded. As a flat bed driver my customers are almost always glad I'm there and are willing to get me unloaded right away. It seems like they enjoy getting those big old wrapped up Christmas presents that I'm bringing them!

If you think you are interested in flat bedding I recommend that you take the time to read through these three threads where I shared my experiences while taking each of my three daughters along with me. You can get a good idea of what life is like on the road, and particularly what it is like for a flat bed driver.

First Trip

Second Trip

Third Trip

Pride, not pulling a box, pride in your securement, pride in a job well done. Everyone looks at what is on a flatbed, no one cares what is in a box except thieves. Oh and I almost forgot, you do not have to pull a box. Heck even I can tarp.... LOL

Old School hit it right on the head as always and that is why I pull a box haha.

Old School hit it right on the head as always and that is why I pull a box haha.

Gladhand, that is funny! I like your sense of humor!

Did you get our CDL thru Maverick? I am just curious about the upfront costs and at what point in training do you start getting paid? From what I have gathered it seems you have one week of orientation and then 4 weeks of training before you start making any money. I am worried about how far behind I will get with my bills if it actually takes 5 weeks to start making some income. Thanks

Hey. Sorry didn't see this earlier as I've been on home time since friday. Which us definitely a pro lol. I drive for maverick so any questions you may have I can probably answer. Almost at 6 months already. So here's a few pros and cons..

Pros: Like I said earlier, most outfits will get you home on weekends and business holidays. I've had a few 4 day weekends this year. Like Bud said, loading and unloading is typically faster because a lot of times it depends on you. Typically you start out with a decent cpm as well.

Cons: When you start out, the sheer terror of making a mistake. I was so scared the 1st time I did a coil I watched my mirrors very closely. And with that, the danger of the job is concerning at times. Tarping can be a pain when you're new as you only learn with experience. Also the spread axle trailer backs differently than boxes so it's a challenge at 1st.

That's all for now anyway lol

Dan. I graduated back in May so things might be different now. You don't get paid until you pass orientation. That's 4 maybe 5 days of physical, drug tests, paperwork, map reading, log books, safety etc. Once you've been offered a job, you'll make 550 a week gross. That's your salary until you get your own truck. 3 weeks is the minimum. My trainer wanted 5 so I stayed 5 weeks. U have the option to go home for a few days or get straight to work if money is tight. You also get a graduation bonus of 400 after your 1st load and 400 when you graduate.

Keep in mind, where ever you decide to go, you won't start making decent money until you figure out how to run your truck. There are a lot of factors, but you can do well here and at other companies.

Thanks CT that is helpful info. I can survive on that kind of pay while I learn the job. I am going to put in my application with Maverick and see what happens.

Dan. I graduated back in May so things might be different now. You don't get paid until you pass orientation. That's 4 maybe 5 days of physical, drug tests, paperwork, map reading, log books, safety etc. Once you've been offered a job, you'll make 550 a week gross. That's your salary until you get your own truck. 3 weeks is the minimum. My trainer wanted 5 so I stayed 5 weeks. U have the option to go home for a few days or get straight to work if money is tight. You also get a graduation bonus of 400 after your 1st load and 400 when you graduate.

Keep in mind, where ever you decide to go, you won't start making decent money until you figure out how to run your truck. There are a lot of factors, but you can do well here and at other companies.

Does anobody know of someone ever forgetting to strap his load and just taking off?

"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.