A CFI Update 2021

Here is what the LTL will be called.

I have some friends that are at T Force freight and they're very unhappy with the name and the uniform. So far, they only have shirts with no pants and the shirts have no pockets. The shirts look like they're being worn by Domino's delivery drivers.

They're also disappointed they T force is keeping a lot of the UPS Freight upper management that created a lot of the problems UPS freight had.

I think they're just growing pains, but we'll see.

Here is what the LTL will be called.

I have some friends that are at T Force freight and they're very unhappy with the name and the uniform. So far, they only have shirts with no pants and the shirts have no pockets. The shirts look like they're being worn by Domino's delivery drivers.

They're also disappointed they T force is keeping a lot of the UPS Freight upper management that created a lot of the problems UPS freight had.

I think they're just growing pains, but we'll see.

That division is not being managed by us. However, what they have is what could have been gotten quickly. They are trying to get everything sorted out by January of 2022. I don't have any idea how things will shake out. Like I would tell anyone, if you don't like where you work, there are plenty of driving jobs.

I was a Transport America Dedicated driver until Sept. 30. Then they rolled us into CFI finally. TCAM has been CFI's sister company for some time. When I started a year ago we were already sharing some terminals, then other assests slowly but surely. On Oct. 31 the Transport America OTR division will join CFI as well, and the Transport America brand will no longer exist. They've already begun to relabel the Transport America blue and white trailers with the CFI logo, and T-Force Freight logos are starting to appear on the trucks. Last Friday, Oct 1, they started rolling heads after saying for some time that nothing much would change. At the Atlanta terminal they had 4 local drivers, 3 of whom were extremely good trainers each with over a decade of experience. They told the trainers that their current students would be their last and that 2 of the local drivers would have to go back OTR if they wanted to stay. They also fired the terminal manager who was as hard working and dedicated as they come. I joined during the pandemic and watched that man work nonstop from the time he came in until he left every day as he covered several people's jobs. He had drivers constantly banging on his window by his desk while he tried to do all the day to day business, attend online meetings, as well as clean and maintain the fueling area. They had 2 women in here in his place yesterday. So far CFI isn't making any friends, but that's business I guess.

I was a Transport America Dedicated driver until Sept. 30. Then they rolled us into CFI finally. TCAM has been CFI's sister company for some time. When I started a year ago we were already sharing some terminals, then other assests slowly but surely. On Oct. 31 the Transport America OTR division will join CFI as well, and the Transport America brand will no longer exist. They've already begun to relabel the Transport America blue and white trailers with the CFI logo, and T-Force Freight logos are starting to appear on the trucks. Last Friday, Oct 1, they started rolling heads after saying for some time that nothing much would change. At the Atlanta terminal they had 4 local drivers, 3 of whom were extremely good trainers each with over a decade of experience. They told the trainers that their current students would be their last and that 2 of the local drivers would have to go back OTR if they wanted to stay. They also fired the terminal manager who was as hard working and dedicated as they come. I joined during the pandemic and watched that man work nonstop from the time he came in until he left every day as he covered several people's jobs. He had drivers constantly banging on his window by his desk while he tried to do all the day to day business, attend online meetings, as well as clean and maintain the fueling area. They had 2 women in here in his place yesterday. So far CFI isn't making any friends, but that's business I guess.

I'm truck 52738 with Big Scott on the doors. If you see me say hello. I consider all of us family. I have given many a first time tour around the Joplin terminal. Any FM may give you my number.

So... out of curiosity, will this new TForce name still be a part of UPS?... Or is it a spin off, or something?

The story on UPS Freight is that in 2005 UPS (the world's largest package delivery service) entered the LTL market when they bought Overnite for $1.25 Billion. They rebranded Overnite as UPS Freight because their business plan in LTL was to charge extra for LTL freight because of the UPS name. That's like if Nordstrom bought a chain of gas stations and starting $10/gallon for gas. Freight is a commodity - no one pays extra for anything. UPS lost millions figuring that out. They had been trying to sell off their LTL assets for years but things didn't work out for one reason or another. XPO, CRST and a few others were all named as in negotiations to buy UPS Freight.

In January, TransForce (Canada's largest LTL carrier) acquired UPS Freight for $800 million. The $450 million dollar markdown was due to the run-down condition of their equipment, limited history of profitability and UPS's desire to exit LTL. TransForce can't use the TransForce name in the US because a US company is already using it. They settled on calling their US operations TForce Freight. TransForce is probably the best buyer UPS Freight employees could have hoped for. They have experience in buying troubled companies and turning them around as well as working with unions.

Was at the Joplin Terminal yesterday and found out our orientation is now two days, two times per week.

We are slowly starting to do upgrades at other terminals as well. I was selected to be part of the team that will update our Finisher training. My current student will upgrade at one of our new upgrade terminals in Ohio the first week of May.

With the purchase of UPS Freight we will gain more dedicated routes. Our Temperature Controlled division is slowly growing as well.

I am honored to be a part of this company during this exciting time.

We have students starting every week.

My current student says he is enjoying being a paid tourist.

Stay safe out there.

--Scott

Hi Big Scott

Great posts and you really have me interested in CFI as a trucking company to work for. I am just starting out in Trucking School in Washington State and recently submitted an application with CFI I have completed the first week of school (done online in advance of the formal start date on January 3rd) and have my permit, medical certificate and a clean driver's abstract and clean drug screen in hand. Is there anything else I can be doing to attract the interest of CFI?

Just keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged in school. If you have a recruiter, keep in touch with them via email.

Good luck.

Just keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged in school. If you have a recruiter, keep in touch with them via email.

Good luck.

Quick update - The goal of working for CFI dissipated pretty quickly. Just had a call from a recruiter in follow up to my application. It seems my trucking school is not on the approved list for CFI, even though it is for Schneider, Werner, Swift, etc. The recruiter said I would need 3 months driving experience before CFI would consider me, which is completely understandable given the profusion of trucking schools out there. However, I'm a bit old school in that I believe I owe my very best efforts, a positive attitude and loyalty to any company I work for. Therefore, I am not prone to jumping ship and have been around this world (literally) enough to know that "the grass is always greener" is usually just an optical illusion ;-). Thanks, Big Scott, for your kind words and encouragement. Hope we cross paths on the road one day!

Sorry to hear that. If you had gone through their training it would have been free.

Good luck.

Big Scott please explain what you mean by free. For example; what is the commitment required to drive for CFI once a student passes the training course? What happens if a student does not pass and/or quits before completion.

Thank you.

Sorry to hear that. If you had gone through their training it would have been free.

Good luck.