Question:
Since I loathe grocery warehouses, I have been thinking a lot about flatbeds. Anyone have any yays or nays on Boyd Bros, TMC, or Roehl? Any other flatbed companies that have a decent rep?
Thanks, bird66
Answer:
Check into Arrow, Melton, and Maverick. Not sure of the details, but be prepared to work, get dirty, lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and have fun. BOL

Answer:
Does anyone know anything on arrow at all? Anyone ever drive for them? I hear they have a CA,NV,AZ run is this true? I am thinking about them if that run is open? Do they require experience or can any warm @$$ fill a seat? I have yet to hear a lot of negative on Swift's flatbed divison besides all the big carrier b.s. that usually comes with dweller outfits. Another question I have is what company's run flatbed teams? Or any at all? All help and b.s. is appreciated.
Answer:
While I have only been doing this for a few years,ALL my experience has been "open air" (flats...steps.....rgn)
I did do a short stint as a food grade tanker yanker........more on this later
I pulled for Swift and for Melton,and have quite a bit of info although not directly on Arrow.........(Melton and Arrow are both based in Tulsa)
I really enjoyed working for Swift in the flatbed division,but I quickly grew tired of the incessant hand-holding and low pay(I did however spend lots of time running up and down I-5 and 99 )
Melton paid considerably better,but lord have mercy did those fools tarp a lot and some pretty difficult loads to boot(I also sat waiting on freight ALOT) and could never seem to get home although I lived very close to one of their major lanes
I now work for a regional flatbed outfit and have found that this suits me pretty well,We have several ex-Arrow drivers on our roster,and most say they made the jump for better money and the guaranteed weekends off that my company offers.
I also think Arrow could do a little better with their equipment
I have yet to run across a flatbed outfit that could run teams successfully,as most have now gone to a 600 mile or less deliver a load a day type operation.
Before this gets too long I will end it with saying,The smaller places are the ones that seem to do the best(300 trucks or less) in regards to decent pay(I know snicker) and somewhat structured hometime
feel free to PM or email me if you like,I still know quite a few ppl out in the central valley
L8recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
Thank you Chilidawg that is the answer I wanted to hear haha(go figure), thanks for all your help. Be safe.
Answer:
Don't overlook Tandem either, I know a few of their drivers and they seem pretty happy. One of them could make the jump over to work for the guy I work for really easy and make considerably more money. He hasn't as of yet, so they must be doing something to keep him happy.
Or maybe he is stupid, I don't know.

Answer:

Give Dallas & Mavis a try.KEEP YOUR DOLLY CRANK SECURED AND HAVE YOURSELVES A GOOD RIDE !!!!!

Answer:
I have had experienced students in the truck recently from :
Swift, Both expressed dissatisfaction with home time and pay.
Arrow, Guy said training program sucked, was treated poorly and quit only 45 days after started solo driving, bitched equipment problems too.
Talked with a Boyd Bros driver a couple of months ago..he was (edited) about pay and short miles consistantly and being expected to run illegaly.
I've been with Roehl for 3 years so I am biased toward them. I have heard pretty good things about Tandem Transport recently.
Research carefully, Ask many questions, Talk to real drivers not just the recruiters.
Good Luck.
Answer:
I hear a lot of good things about Roehl but I'm stuck out here in Cali and they don't hire out here otherwise I would go with them. Does anyone know if Roehl will ever open up a Cali terminal? (Fontana has every company imaginable they might as well add one more) Anyone have any other suggestions on any decent flatbedding company's out west? I talked to a former Swift flatbedder the other day he was there for two years I asked him if he was nuts? or a recruiter? the only reason he moved on was that he had the exp. to get on with a better co. for better pay, the guy was a lil nutty so I don't know if I should trust him he just kept saying "oh they treat the flatbedders much different than the vans" I have yet to talk to an Arrow driver yet, I hardly ever see their trucks rolling through here, I see Swift flats all the time. Anyone with any help or insight or just plain b.s. is appreciated. Oh has anyone ever heard of System Transport? or worked for them?
Answer:
Fontana terminal is on Santa Ana ave
Answer:
I believe with System Transport you have to have at least 3 years experience.I drove for Melton for awhile.They pay decent and their training was ok.You get alot of of tarping experience.They pay $40.00 to tarp but some of their loads are very interesting to tarp.Living in California have you contacted Werner flatbed.Their flatbed terminal is out of Phoenix Arizonia.Don't know much about the flat bed know several drivers that are in the van division and are happy.

Answer:
You know what I forgot all about Werner's flatbed I'll try to find a flatbedder and ask him how he likes it, System Trans. actually trains now in certain areas, I talked to their recruiter the other day he said they train in some areas and only require 6 mos. now I may have to hit up System
Answer:
I see System running up and down I-5. Side note, Pick N Pull lost 4 drivers in 2 weeks.Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Sent in my app to Pick N Pull two times have yet to hear anything back from them, I meet all of their quals. and have the exp. and a clean record go figure.
Answer:
Another one I forgot to ask is Prime's flatbed division, or CRST's flatbeds don't see them much but does anyone know anything about these two, or have worked for them in the flatbed division, Thanks for all your help everybody, System is almost looking like a for sure thing but I am just curious about these two as well.