Flatbed work is challenging, but it will get you into better shape. Remember to work smarter and not harder. There are things that you can do to make it "easier" There are some posts on here about ways to do things smarter. You can be loaded, strapped, tarped and cleaned up before the guy that loaded ahead of you. I also think that flatbed customers are happier to see you than reefer and dry van customers.

 

I dunno for flatbedding, but they ain't the only ones that get to work....

This week I missed a drop. Not my fault, but they were closed and the next drop HAD to be there at 0730 the next day........so...... I unloaded 29 200 pound sofas and set them aside. Then I unloaded 28 200 pound sofas for the 0730 appointment.
Then I loaded the 29 200 pound sofas back into the truck.
Then I drove back to the first account and unloaded the 29 sofas that I had already handled.

And guess what?.......NEITHER account had a loading dock! I was dropping them down to the ground.

I'm 61 and in good shape. But if I was about three days older I could not have done it. :lol:

 

Good to hear the old-timers tell their tales, thanks pops's!
Flatbedding can be really demanding and its really a matter of learning through sweat and discomfort and danger. Once you have some tricks up your sleeve it gets easier, but no 2 week course will teach you common sense and looking at the big picture of things.
Theres a thread entitled 'flatbed not for noobs' where we discussed on that till it got stupid. GL

 

I think anyone who touches freight has to work . I hate to hear those guys who say I dont touch freight. I dont either, but I chain it, strap it, wrap it, tarp it and I get paid for doing it. How many wheel holder, door closers are on the road? I had a driver complain to me once about having to close the doors. How much griping can a truck driver do?

 

It can be physically demanding. I met a guy several years ago who was 70 years old and pulled a step deck. He was in better shape than me. :shock:

 

drive this!!

 

Is the physical part so hard and uncomfortable that it just makes common sense for older guys to look at other types of driving?

Short answer NO
You'll get into a system and after awhile you'll laugh at yourself for worrying about it.
You'll probably get some odd shaped loads and wonder WTF :P

 

A whole bunch of them!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: That's RICH!!! and the answer to the question is: Its an "infinite amount"!! :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: The next one will probably complain that he actually has to drive the truck!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I had a driver complain to me once about having to close the doors. How much griping can a truck driver do?

The trucking industry corners the Market in that category :P

 

I love the challenge, the exercise and the feeling of accomplishment (job well done) when I stand back and admire my newly secured "weird" load. Sounds silly but it's true. lol I would never drive anything other than a skateboard. Generally, IMO, we're treated friendlier and with more respect than other types of drivers from our customers AND fellow drivers on the road.
BOL