Looking For Info On LTL

I'd love to hear what kind of pay and benefits and vacation time you guys are getting at the LTL companies. Considering a change and LTL is really the only way I can start making similiar money I currently am. It's something I'm just considering not ready to make any moves quite yet. At this rate I'd even go back to food service. Sysco has a domicile yard only 10 miles away but unfortunately it's rural Iowa and winters are going to suck!

Reasons for my change? Well I'll admit in the grand schemes is relatively petty. Overall I love the job, benefits and whatnot only negative is the start times (midnight to 2am usually). Also, since we pick routes daily I never know what the next day will bring. Used to be I'd get a call around 230pm to pick what I wanted to run now its anywhere from 4pm to 630pm. Typical corporate BS decided to switch dispatching program that now crashes nearly everyday causing them to restart putting all the routes in (sometimes over 100 routes). Also it routes us so bizarre we just scratch our heads trying to figure it out. Couple weeks ago we had 3 trucks delivering partial loads to the same store. Just the other day I had run to Davenport then ran empty back to Des Moines just to go 60 miles SW of town to pick up an egg load. Meanwhile you have trucks coming back empty from Kansas City. It would have been 30 miles out of route for them, where it was 120 miles out of route for me.. I still got paid (and picked it) so I can't complain too much though. Also the warehouse is frequently running late. Without fail if I take an easy route on Saturdays due to plans I end up sitting at the warehouse for 4 hours but it happens other days as well. We frequently receive a text saying to wait for the automated text saying loads ready to come in but myself and many others refuse to. I'm not being paid to basically be on call, plus I live 45 minutes away so that load that is done late would sit an additional hour atleast before I get there to run it. If my loads supposed to go out at 2am you'll be paying me at 2am until my loads ready, which is what happens. I understand growing pains with a new system but this has been over 2 months. Calling during dinner time, needing to keep phone nearby and step away from family commitments (including cub scouts now) to take calls just bothers me. We've had a few drivers already quit. Management keeps telling us things will get better but how long will that take? Family time already is limited in this career and I know that's why it bothers me so much. Also the frequent texts asking guys to work an off day. It's never required but the 5 messages when they're desperate to cover loads irks me. If someone wanted to work don't you think they'd have called ya the first time? If they're so desperate 4 of the guys in management with CDLs should get behind the wheel more often.

I'm sitting relatively well in seniority I'm somewhere around #130 of about 175 with atleast an additional 30 being hired when our new freezer opens up in March/April. My wife's understanding but I can tell it's really starting to bother her as well. We're a single income family so I can't exactly afford a big paycut but I also don't want my kids to grow up hating me because the little bit I'm home I'm attached to my phone due to work. That's also why I've been less active here lately. The brightside is with getting higher in seniority I have more route options (usually 20 or more everyday) which should keep me out of the worst of the weather as winter approaches.

Anyways, sorry I got rambling but what would you do in my position? Is my frustration/irritation warranted or am I over reacting? Overall the job is great,but based on how many guys that have been there a while they get worked up over the smallest stuff and I can't tell if that's what's happening to me. January will mark 3 years.

We get 2 weeks off after a year then another week at our 5 year mark plus your birthday.

Our cheapest health plan is $58 a week for family with a maz out of pocket of 10k. The more expensive option is $87.60 a week for family with $0 deductible in network plan pays 80%. Vision and dental is about 13.00 for both.

As far as pay I think P&D starts around $25 hour but maybe more depending on needs. Linehaul was starting at .60 something before but they may have changed that.

P&D usually starts around noon until you gain seniority and then it could be 5 am or so. You shouldn't have any crazy schedules like you have currently. Plus OD doesn't like wasting money so your routes shouldn't be as strange.

Right now a lot of FedEx freight buildings are starting people at top rate which is around 0.70 CPM/ 30 DPH with overtime after 8 hours. In linehaul you get paid hourly while you wait for your load (but it has to be your show time) and for any other delays. 401K is an 8% match for your 6% (which is about 130% match). Vacation time starts building at month number 7. You get 2 weeks your first year and it tips out at 4 weeks, I just don't remember at one point you start building more.

This is Health benefits.

If I were you, I'd sit tight. You're happy where you are and your gaining seniority. In LTL you're going to make a lot less starting out. The problems you're facing are going to happen no matter you go. Companies can't find employees so everything is late and you can always count on suits to try to and solve problems that don't exist. LTL companies will call you when you're home and when you have no seniority, saying no isn't an option.

In my experience guys that have been there the longest complain the most. I don't listen to it. I form my opinions based on other jobs I've had and this isn't bad at all. I'd bet that those guys doing all the complaining aren't looking to go anywhere.

Thank you guys for your input. I'll definitely keep both companies in mind if I do indeed make a change. My biggest worry is the initial paycut until I get seniority and the inconsistency. Everywhere has flaws and for the most part these issues have only recently become an issue. Its quite possible I'm allowing it to cloud my judgement. I'm going to be giving a call to our top guy in transportation today to discuss what's going on and hopefully get some reassurance that this will be resolved soon. I'd hate to make a big move without trying to address it up the chain. However, I unfortunately don't see it getting any better until after the holidays. We were short 26 drivers yesterday, so the holiday rush is already starting to hit us and won't let up the rest of the year.

Truck driver making a stink out of nothing, who'd have thunk! Haha.

What other pays do u get such as drop n hook and what not?

We get 2 weeks off after a year then another week at our 5 year mark plus your birthday.

Our cheapest health plan is $58 a week for family with a maz out of pocket of 10k. The more expensive option is $87.60 a week for family with $0 deductible in network plan pays 80%. Vision and dental is about 13.00 for both.

As far as pay I think P&D starts around $25 hour but maybe more depending on needs. Linehaul was starting at .60 something before but they may have changed that.

P&D usually starts around noon until you gain seniority and then it could be 5 am or so. You shouldn't have any crazy schedules like you have currently. Plus OD doesn't like wasting money so your routes shouldn't be as strange.

That's a tough gig, Rob. I especially wouldn't like the phone calls or texts during my off-duty hours. Whether I'm hunting, working on my cabin, or playing with my grandkids, my phone often stays at the house for a reason.

As Banks said, I think I'd hold off a bit before making any hard decisions. Things are tough and crazy all over right now. There's nothing wrong with putting feelers out there, though. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

What other pays do u get such as drop n hook and what not?

We get $2.10 per drop or hook, hooking or breaking down a set is $8.40 each time. We also get $3.60 for fueling, after 2 hours waiting a terminal we are eligible for detention pay.

Had a nice talk with our V.P. today. Originally I thought of swinging into his office when I got back but most days I want to just go home. Ended up giving him a call on the way back from Lincoln NE. We discussed my gripes and seemed to understand the frustration. He assured me they're working on resolving it, that the corporate level has been dealing it and he was going to let them know the way many of us drivers feel about this and that he's concerned if it isn't resolved soon they're going to be losing some drivers. He seemed genuine while talking to him which made me feel better about it.

Can't say for certain it was due to our conversation but today they said route selection would be bumped back nearly 2 hours and explained the reasoning. High case count and program malfunctioning, plus trying to condense routes even more as they're short 18 drivers. Decided I'll pick up an extra run tomorrow, extra $100 per extra route thru the 28th! Unfortunately I'll probably get the call just after dinner. Oh well, I'll stick it out atleast until after the holidays and see what's going on.

What other pays do u get such as drop n hook and what not?

We get 2 weeks off after a year then another week at our 5 year mark plus your birthday.

Our cheapest health plan is $58 a week for family with a maz out of pocket of 10k. The more expensive option is $87.60 a week for family with $0 deductible in network plan pays 80%. Vision and dental is about 13.00 for both.

As far as pay I think P&D starts around $25 hour but maybe more depending on needs. Linehaul was starting at .60 something before but they may have changed that.

P&D usually starts around noon until you gain seniority and then it could be 5 am or so. You shouldn't have any crazy schedules like you have currently. Plus OD doesn't like wasting money so your routes shouldn't be as strange.

I'm sure Banks will chime in as a Road Driver but at FXF we get .5hrs for a drop or a hook (about $16.00) .25hrs for a change of tractor ($8.00), .25hrs for a fuel.

I believe detention starts after an hour - stuck in accidents, etc.

One night I made $600 on a 600 mile run because I ran out of hours and they paid me 4 hours to sit there and another hour to get a ride back to my domicile.

What other pays do u get such as drop n hook and what not?

We get 2 weeks off after a year then another week at our 5 year mark plus your birthday.

Our cheapest health plan is $58 a week for family with a maz out of pocket of 10k. The more expensive option is $87.60 a week for family with $0 deductible in network plan pays 80%. Vision and dental is about 13.00 for both.

As far as pay I think P&D starts around $25 hour but maybe more depending on needs. Linehaul was starting at .60 something before but they may have changed that.

P&D usually starts around noon until you gain seniority and then it could be 5 am or so. You shouldn't have any crazy schedules like you have currently. Plus OD doesn't like wasting money so your routes shouldn't be as strange.

I'm sure Banks will chime in as a Road Driver but at FXF we get .5hrs for a drop or a hook (about $16.00) .25hrs for a change of tractor ($8.00), .25hrs for a fuel.

I believe detention starts after an hour - stuck in accidents, etc.

One night I made $600 on a 600 mile run because I ran out of hours and they paid me 4 hours to sit there and another hour to get a ride back to my domicile.

Sorry, I should call detention "delay pay" because we get paid everytime we get delayed. Whether it be for a flat tire, accident, etc., they pay us our flat hourly rate while we sit.