I'm Almost To My Final Decision On Which Company I Am Going To Go With!

I believe prime flatbed starts in the lower 40s. Don't obsess over cpm though. Like I've said before, most flatbed companies pay about the same. Also search mileage vs percentage pay on here to get a better idea of pros and cons.

I won't be obsessing over the cpm or the percentage I will be getting paid after reading so much good and wise wisdom from all of the moderators and you and others. Old School, Errol V., G Town and then some rookies who have some of the best information around without all the b.S. from those who have a negative outlook on the trucking industry because so many want a " free ride," without having to put the effort in. If I just focus on being the best I can be, having as much patience as possible, and making sure I let my dispatchers know whether or not I am going to be late or not, which by the way when I choose my company and I get my own truck I am going to be asking for a hand book of numbers for the managers and fork left operators so I can call ahead of time and let them know whether or not I am going to be late or super early, and having a POSITIVE attitude then then I will be extremely successful at this awesome adventure call TRUCKING!!

Yes I KNOW that it will be a hard first year especially if I have a bad attitude but with all the awesome information and forums I have read, I will be putting a great majority if not ALL of it to use when I get out there!

Thanks for all your help everyone and if you have anymore suggestions or wisdom to give me, well, let it pour!! Thanks so much!

Victor...one piece of advice that served me well, no matter what, once you start down this path, stay laser focused on achieving your goal. No compromises...all in, no looking back.

You have a positive outlook here which will come in handy. Calling forklift guys and managers may not be appropriate at some places as they are huge and very busy. However alway stay in contact with your fm. If you think your eta will change and may potentially affect your delivery, it's a good idea to give a heads up. What you can do though is call the shipping or receiving dept and check if you can get in early. Never hurts to ask.

Victor...one piece of advice that served me well, no matter what, once you start down this path, stay laser focused on achieving your goal. No compromises...all in, no looking back.

Thank you G Town for that great advice and I will put that to the practice when I start for real trucking. I really do appreciate the wise advice and sound wisdom you older people have cause it is what has been a great guide for me going through looking for a trucking company to go with and to help me keep my chin up and my head held high ( just not too high lol).

You have a positive outlook here which will come in handy. Calling forklift guys and managers may not be appropriate at some places as they are huge and very busy. However alway stay in contact with your fm. If you think your eta will change and may potentially affect your delivery, it's a good idea to give a heads up. What you can do though is call the shipping or receiving dept and check if you can get in early. Never hurts to ask.

Thanks C.T. for that advice, but I do have one question, what is eta? Do companies usaully give you a book of numbers to call like the shipping or receiving dept?

Ok time for me to go to get some shut eye, but I will be on in the morning!

Victor...one piece of advice that served me well, no matter what, once you start down this path, stay laser focused on achieving your goal. No compromises...all in, no looking back.

Thank you G Town for that great advice and I will put that to the practice when I start for real trucking. I really do appreciate the wise advice and sound wisdom you older people have cause it is what has been a great guide for me going through looking for a trucking company to go with and to help me keep my chin up and my head held high ( just not too high lol).

You have a positive outlook here which will come in handy. Calling forklift guys and managers may not be appropriate at some places as they are huge and very busy. However alway stay in contact with your fm. If you think your eta will change and may potentially affect your delivery, it's a good idea to give a heads up. What you can do though is call the shipping or receiving dept and check if you can get in early. Never hurts to ask.

Thanks C.T. for that advice, but I do have one question, what is eta? Do companies usaully give you a book of numbers to call like the shipping or receiving dept?

Ok time for me to go to get some shut eye, but I will be on in the morning!

ETA = "Estimated Time of Arrival"

We get the customers' phone numbers on our Qualcomm units with all our messages and load assignments. I did get a book with all out fuel stops, truck washes, and all prime Dept numbers.

Prime flatbed is at 43cpm. I don't know about flatbed since I drive reefer.,.so if the FB can take a light weight truck, you would get another 5cpm in the LW. But you'd have to ask the recruiter about the LW or if someone here knows.

.43 cpm is not bad for flatbed hauling. Thats quite nice. Prime seems to be quite a nice company too. I think I have seen a dozen or more of their trucks on my travels up to PA to visit my Grandparents. NEAT.

.43 cpm is not bad for flatbed hauling. Thats quite nice. Prime seems to be quite a nice company too. I think I have seen a dozen or more of their trucks on my travels up to PA to visit my Grandparents. NEAT.

Victor, here is a link to an on-going flatbed link that Pat, Bud and Old School regularly contribute to. Lots of great info and photos. Enjoy!

Flatbed Variety

I really am enjoying that thread that is so awesome some of the things they put on those flatbeds are just so incredible! Wow is all I have to say WOW!

Good luck...We're all waiting to see who won...I mean where to decide to start your career at. I think you're are going to do well.