Companies Who Use Automatic Trucks Based In Los Angeles, CA

I know there are several threads about companies who use automatics. I am specifically looking for companies with yards in Los Angeles, who do local work here. Smaller companies like the ones who run out of the port/rail yards, LTL , local pickup and deliveries, etc. It seems that all the companies in the threads I've seen are talking about megas that are based on the East Coast and Midwest. Anyone know of any who are based in Los Angeles, CA?

Hello Richard, welcome to the forum!

Are you a new driver? We usually recommend the larger companies as the best places to start your career. I don't like the idea of starting out as a local driver, but we don't know you yet and it's hard to advise you based on what you've presented us with.

As a general rule the large carriers are some of the finest trucking companies to work for. They have great well maintained equipment, consistent freight, and financial stability. If you are wanting to drive an automatic truck, the large carriers are once again your more logical choice - many of them are transitioning their fleets to auto shift trucks now.

Also many of the large carriers do rail and port work, but they are going to want you to gain some experience with them as an Over the Road driver first before they let you in on that type of job. There is a reason for that. Local work demands a skill set that is best developed by gaining some real world experience as an OTR driver first.

Werner has a terminal in Fontana we might have what your looking for

Hello Richard, welcome to the forum!

Are you a new driver? We usually recommend the larger companies as the best places to start your career. I don't like the idea of starting out as a local driver, but we don't know you yet and it's hard to advise you based on what you've presented us with.

As a general rule the large carriers are some of the finest trucking companies to work for. They have great well maintained equipment, consistent freight, and financial stability. If you are wanting to drive an automatic truck, the large carriers are once again your more logical choice - many of them are transitioning their fleets to auto shift trucks now.

Also many of the large carriers do rail and port work, but they are going to want you to gain some experience with them as an Over the Road driver first before they let you in on that type of job. There is a reason for that. Local work demands a skill set that is best developed by gaining some real world experience as an OTR driver first.

I actually do have 1.5 years experience otr, and another 9 months as a yard jockey. I just prefer driving an automatic in LA traffic. I don't particularly want to work for a mega again, but would be willing to if it were local work in an automatic truck.

JB Hunt probably runs the rail yards out that way.

You can also check out our Truck Driving Jobs for more ideas.

I know there are several threads about companies who use automatics. I am specifically looking for companies with yards in Los Angeles, who do local work here. Smaller companies like the ones who run out of the port/rail yards, LTL , local pickup and deliveries, etc. It seems that all the companies in the threads I've seen are talking about megas that are based on the East Coast and Midwest. Anyone know of any who are based in Los Angeles, CA?

Where they're based is of little consequence.

All of the "bigs" run the rail yards; JB Hunt being #1 followed by Schneider, UPS, HUB Group, Swift, and Prime. Try not to sign-on with a small Mom & Pop drayage operator. You'll likely be driving junk, possibly as a 1099 sub-contractor.

JB Hunt probably runs the rail yards out that way.

You can also check out our Truck Driving Jobs for more ideas.

Schneider is an option but they'll only hire people that live within 20 miles of their yard, which I don't. And I don't want to ever go back to Swift.

Really I was hoping somebody on here would know of a midsize company that run autos here in LA. I know Sysco does, but they're way East of Los Angeles in Walnut. I have found 2 small port intermodal companies who run all auto's, but they unfortunately pay 1099.

What does the size of the company have to do with anything? You're one guy driving one truck. Who cares how many trucks a company has?

I see you mention Sysco in your comment. Are you aware of the manual labor involved? It is definitely a job that requires you to do hard, physical labor your entire shift which could last 14 hours. I worked in Sysco's warehouse for 2 years and in 2 different DC's (Tampa/st pete, and Des Moines) and when I left ,4 months ago they were still primarily manual transmissions. They were buying automatics to replace the manuals that they were getting rid of but that's a process that's going to take a while and many senior guys would have option to take one before you, being the new guy. I would definitely inquire about that prior to getting hired if its important to you. Sysco also has overnight shuttle runs that they do however both places I worked guys with seniority had those.

I am currently finishing my 10th week of 12 week training period with PFG, fresh out of CDL school, doing same thing Sysco does. I had posted what one of my weeks were in the "training diaries" section. One big difference in my market with PFG and Sysco is at PFG we run 28 foot PUP trailers with 500 to 600 cases, sysco runs 48's with 800 -1200 cases but Sysco also has more dock stops (bump the dock and use a pallet jack rather than 2 wheeling it down the ramp). If you're serious about food service ill try to answer questions the best i can in my limited experience, or I will ask one of my trainers.

Lastly, know that injuries seem to be alot more common in foodservice. Doesn't matter what company the drivers drive for. I've talked to drivers from several companies around town and they all warn me it isn't a question of IF you'll have an injury, such as falling out of the trailer, its a question of WHEN will it happen. Once fulfill my one year contract for my CDL training I will probably look at other avenues.

JB Hunt probably runs the rail yards out that way.

You can also check out our Truck Driving Jobs for more ideas.

I have checked them out. They are going all auto, but they're just starting the process according to their recruiters. I may just settle for them if I don't find anything else soon.

Schneider is an option but they'll only hire people that live within 20 miles of their yard, which I don't. And I don't want to ever go back to Swift.

Really I was hoping somebody on here would know of a midsize company that run autos here in LA. I know Sysco does, but they're way East of Los Angeles in Walnut. I have found 2 small port intermodal companies who run all auto's, but they unfortunately pay 1099.