Newbie Looking To Start Out Flatbed

I haven't been on the site very long but really have enjoyed everyone's stories, diaries and tales of A Truckers Life. So my story is similar to Old School's, I am 53, been in an Industry that got slammed hard by the economy, I have been Self Employed Manufacturing Custom Window Coverings for 17 years, been hanging on for years hoping it would make a come back and I really don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I will be entering as a Student and researching all the companies here on TT is pretty overwhelming. I know my Lifestyle and not really sure I am cut out to do the 1 year of grinding behind the wheel of a Refer or Dry Van. I could, don't get me wrong and have read enough to understand you have to pay your dues and there are no short cuts. But for 17 years I have been very physically active so just to roll up drop a load, hook up and hit the road may not work. My Wife has always thought I was crazy putting in 12 to 14 hour days 7 days a week for weeks on end but that's how I roll. So in a perfect world my first job would be to get great training, get into a Flatbed Truck and do Regional Runs. Wow I just looked at that last sentence and it made me . Am I crazy to think this is even possible?????? Thanks TT, you have put together one is the best sites of this type I have ever seen!!! Thanks in advance for any advice and yes you can slap my face with a reality check, I have very thick skin.

Check into TMC. They are exclusively flatbed and one of their listed perks is weekly home time. They claim to keep you 1000-1200 miles of your home.

Am I crazy to think this is even possible??????

You, sir, probably are crazy since you are considering flatbed. (You don't have to be crazy to be a flatbedder, but it helps.) I started at age 52, so you are not crazy to think it is possible.

Unfortunately I don't believe TMC does any hiring in Texas

Check into TMC. They are exclusively flatbed and one of their listed perks is weekly home time. They claim to keep you 1000-1200 miles of your home.

Just Crazy around the edges but it would by so much fun to lug those tarps around and check that my load was secure every couple of hours.

Am I crazy to think this is even possible??????

You, sir, probably are crazy since you are considering flatbed. (You don't have to be crazy to be a flatbedder, but it helps.) I started at age 52, so you are not crazy to think it is possible.

TMC definitely hires Texas drivers. They run a lot of Texas flat bed freight.

Are you looking for flatbed companies that have their own CDL training? Are you planning on getting your CDL they a private institution first?

Companies that have their own CDL training and are flatbed. Roehl, Prime and Maverick come to mind.

Flatbed companies that hire newbies straight out of school: Melton, McElroy, TMC, Western Express, Maverick, Roehl, Prime.

Swift, Werner, and Schneider have flatbeds as well, I believe.

I hope this helps.

Are you looking for flatbed companies that have their own CDL training? Are you planning on getting your CDL they a private institution first?

Companies that have their own CDL training and are flatbed. Roehl, Prime and Maverick come to mind.

Flatbed companies that hire newbies straight out of school: Melton, McElroy, TMC, Western Express, Maverick, Roehl, Prime.

Swift, Werner, and Schneider have flatbeds as well, I believe.

I hope this helps.

System Transport also trains through a sister company and runs a Texas fleet. I loved working for them.

Are you looking for flatbed companies that have their own CDL training? Are you planning on getting your CDL they a private institution first?

Companies that have their own CDL training and are flatbed. Roehl, Prime and Maverick come to mind.

Flatbed companies that hire newbies straight out of school: Melton, McElroy, TMC, Western Express, Maverick, Roehl, Prime.

Swift, Werner, and Schneider have flatbeds as well, I believe.

I hope this helps.

pretty much sums it up in a nut shell.......

if you don't think going to a private school is financially possible... Do take a look at Paid CDL Training Programs as mentioned above; Swift, Werner, Shnieder and Prime have flatbed divisions that will take you to their facilities, train you to drive, help you get your cdl and then employee you at the end. You just sign on the dotted line, and agree to stay employeed with said company for a minimum of 1 year and that basically pays your schooling. nothing comes out of pocket..

Theres quite a bit to read here,

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Truck Driver's Career Guide

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School

I'll add that if you care to attend a private (not company sponsored) school Averitt has a flatbed division and is an excellent company also.

Community college programs are generally less expensive and you can often get WIOA funding or Pell grants to cover those programs. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a company sponsored school and that's a great way to get your CDL-A but simply want you to realize there are other companies out there that do flatbed and hire new grads but don't have their own school. McElroy is another such flatbed company.. there are many.

So in the grand scheme of things, look at both company sponsored and private schools as you research companies. Find a company that offers what meets your personal requirements, whether it's particular freight, allowing pets, home time that you prefer, etc. and gear your schooling choice towards those companies that most interest you.

There's some excellent flatbed companies that have their own school, but there are even more that don't have their own school, if that makes any sense.