Prospective New Driver...plz Help!

Hello all! Long time lurker, first time poster! (I still remember Guyjax and I miss his plain and direct method of dolling out advice!) Anyway, I was wondering if there was any difference between the routes for flatbed and reefer. I would think that flatbed would be in less congested areas. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks for all the help!

I don't pull either due to possessing a higher IQ.

However, flatbeds can haul lots of odd goods, so they may need to deliver anywhere. Factories, construction sites, stores or farms. You may see a flatbed load literally anywhere.

Refer loads will be any type of supply chain warehouse, distribution center, processing plant, store, schools that need perishable goods.

I do flatbed myself and can share my exp i have not pulled anything else though.

With flatbed I can assure you you will not escape congested areas loading or unloading. With that being said you will more than likely have at least 1 easy in easy out load in a week.

I will say flatbed can be quite physical sometimes and other times a breeze. Def a learning curve on how to secure unique loads but very rewarding once you have enough experience.

Best of luck hopefully some van drivers can also give input.

Not a Trucker yet myself but I spent quite a few years working for a union stone masonry company in Philly. Many of our jobs were in center city and all the pavers and pre cut stone came on flatbeds. Rough stone for hand cut hammer work came by tri-axle dumps. Some of those streets were really tight, like few inches on either side of truck tight

It really doesn't matter what you haul, you will get into congested areas as well as tight areas.

It really doesn't matter what you haul, you will get into congested areas as well as tight areas.

Especially hauling onions . . . . so I've heard ~!~ ;)

I don't pull either due to possessing a higher IQ.

I resemble that remark!!!

Thank you all for the input! Just trying to get some intel on the various types of jobs out there. Freight is freight, I suppose.

So...if I was really interested in driving flatbed y'all's first choice would be...Western Express? Knight, maybe? For the record, I am planning on going company paid CDL training, as I do not currently have a license. I really like Prime, but from what I've heard, they have a very small flatbed fleet. I'll start wherever, but I like the challenge of securing loads. I think of you can do that, you could probably do anything.

Apply everywhere. Once you get responses, narrow down the list.