Flatbedding , How tough really ?

seem to sit for a few days, at least what I see...
a lot of oversize drop deck stuff also...

 

flatbed is really not that bad, I dont drive for tmc but I load and unload at the same places. steel is pretty easy, usually short load, chain and bind it and tarp with one tarp. lumber can be rough sometimes if its a tall load, my combo tarps are short on the sides so on tall loads you have to turn them sideways and use all 4 tarps sometimes. some times you dont have to tarp, and if your lucky you can get preloaded trailer, just have to throw your straps over and tighten them down.I never load or unload my own trailer. when you have a tall load you can get the forklift driver to put your tarps on top of the load. I always roll my tarps up when unloaded so they will fit in my box, takes a few minutes, but keeps them from being stolen. It can seem like alot of work at first but like any thing else the more you do it the easier it becomes. I see really old guys doing it faster then I can, and if I have a question the veteran drivers always answer.

 

Hmmm lets see... Chaining, Bracing, binding, tarping, putting up side kits, and taking them down. Doing this in blazing sun, or rain, or cold, or high winds.

Then add into this mix the possiblity of cheater bars slipping, straps breaking, and falling off of a load that your'e trying to tarp, and you really have an adventure on your hands! Just like the military says "its not a job its an adventure!"

The truth is there are many drivers injured from slips and falls on flatbeds. Many drivers say they enjoy the physical exercise and it helps to keep them in shape but taking a chance in injuring yourself to do your job (with very little additional compensation) isn't worth it to me.

 

Take it easy there big guy. I call 'em like I see 'em. I have had several friends that went to work for JB Hunts flatbed division back in the mid nineties. They spun off the divison and renamed it after a couple of years to Charger or something like that.

I seriously considered it myself until I actually watched some of these guys in action. Heck with some of those side kits being banged up and the pockets to fit them into being bent I have seen guys literally struggle for hours trying to get everything just right.

I think flatbedding CAN be dangerous and as I said MANY drivers get injured. I did not say every 1 or all of them.

How many times have you broken a bungee and had the hook whip back and take a chunk out of your arm? How about slipping off of an unevenly stacked load of freight you were trying to tarp?
Ever have a cheater bar slip off while you were leaning on it? Ever pull any muscles throwing those tarps or chains?

Cmon now Brick you know its dangerous and I think anyone that does "knowingly" accept this type of work should be paid MORE than a dry van driver or a reefer driver. Kinda funny that they are not though isn't it?

We don't have to agree Brick thats fine I still respect you anyway.

 

ok heres my 2.5 cents worth ( yes you are gettin more than the normal 2 cents)

flatbedding can be dangerous, even deadly, IF you dont know what yer doing or just plain not paying attention

i have had my bar slip, and i have been hit by bungee's that no longer want to work, heck ive even slipped while on top of a lumber load ( didnt fall off)

but it all happened when i was first starting....read...I didnt know any better

alittle older ( hey im only 21 in my mind) and alot wiser, has stopped the rushing, only half-way paying attention and carelessness i used to have

this is not draggin a box...it doesnt take much to be hurt badly

that all said there is no way i would go back to draggin a box or fridge
i like the variety and challenges flatbedding brings

the excercise dont hurt either

 

I'm 32 and did it for 2.5 years. I'm 5'6", 200 lbs, and extremely lazy. but the work, you get used to. tarping/untarping when it's piss freezing cold is a little rough, but that's only for a few months of the year. I never had an injury - not even a scuff. you just have to be conscientious of what you're doing. we had guys where I worked who were in their late 50s/early 60s who LOVED driving a flatbed. and some of these guys had the experience to drive for most anyone they wanted to.

positives of flatbedding (generally,) you don't sit for hours (or days) waiting to get loaded or unloaded. also, I rarely spent more than an hour or 2 waiting on my next load. most weeks, I would get my next load info on my way to delivering what I already had. if I didn't do anything but sit and hold a steering wheel for days on end, I'd go nuts!! but flatbedding, like trucking in general ain't fer everbody!!