LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

Guy, thanks for the response! I was waiting for an experienced driver to chime in. What you're saying in regard to LTL companies recently starting to hire new drivers actually echoes what I've heard some other experienced drivers say. Who knows why this is trending. It's a great opportunity for new drivers if they're in the right place at the right time.

I was excited to see you were pulling sets. I still can't get over how weird it is to see a Werner sleeper pulling a set of ABF pups Are you pretty much just pulling doubles for ABF now? How does that work between Werner and ABF? Wonder why ABF isn't just using their own drivers? I'm just curious. I hope you're enjoying it.

Pretty wild how 3 of us on the forum will be starting a new adventure w/ some sort of LTL affiliation. I'm hoping the exposure will give new drivers options that they didn't realize were available.

Can't seem to find much of LTL in the Kentucky area.

Aaron, you might also not know how to search. You can use the list of LTL companies I compiled a few posts back, and then do a Google search w/ said company + terminal + Kentucky. You'll get hits. Or, go on a specific company's website and see if they have a page showing terminal / service center locations in KY. That'll get you started!

You're going to want to call those individual terminals and ask how to become a driver, whether they have a company school program or if you have to be a dock worker first. Don't be discouraged if a particular terminal doesn't give a satisfactory answer. Some of these terminals in the same company almost act like mini companies. Call another. Try another company. If they're not currently hiring, try again later. You might have to work a little harder or dig a little deeper to find an LTL opportunity, but they're there if you look for them. Hopefully you're in a good area.

Guy, thanks for the response! I was waiting for an experienced driver to chime in. What you're saying in regard to LTL companies recently starting to hire new drivers actually echoes what I've heard some other experienced drivers say. Who knows why this is trending. It's a great opportunity for new drivers if they're in the right place at the right time.

I was excited to see you were pulling sets. I still can't get over how weird it is to see a Werner sleeper pulling a set of ABF pups Are you pretty much just pulling doubles for ABF now? How does that work between Werner and ABF? Wonder why ABF isn't just using their own drivers? I'm just curious. I hope you're enjoying it.

Pretty wild how 3 of us on the forum will be starting a new adventure w/ some sort of LTL affiliation. I'm hoping the exposure will give new drivers options that they didn't realize were available.

Pretty much boils down to money. While I only heard this 2nd hand from a union driver ABF does not have enough drivers to cover the freight and the union does not have anymore drivers to send so between ABF and the union they opened up a 5 years contract for outside companies to heal freight.

This is the issue with most companies. Almost all operations are the same. The only real thing that you can promise customers is FASTER on time delivery which is hard to do with solo drivers. Team trucks never shut down except for hour issues.

Guy, thanks for the response! I was waiting for an experienced driver to chime in. What you're saying in regard to LTL companies recently starting to hire new drivers actually echoes what I've heard some other experienced drivers say. Who knows why this is trending. It's a great opportunity for new drivers if they're in the right place at the right time.

I was excited to see you were pulling sets. I still can't get over how weird it is to see a Werner sleeper pulling a set of ABF pups Are you pretty much just pulling doubles for ABF now? How does that work between Werner and ABF? Wonder why ABF isn't just using their own drivers? I'm just curious. I hope you're enjoying it.

Pretty wild how 3 of us on the forum will be starting a new adventure w/ some sort of LTL affiliation. I'm hoping the exposure will give new drivers options that they didn't realize were available.

Pretty much boils down to money. While I only heard this 2nd hand from a union driver ABF does not have enough drivers to cover the freight and the union does not have anymore drivers to send so between ABF and the union they opened up a 5 years contract for outside companies to heal freight.

This is the issue with most companies. Almost all operations are the same. The only real thing that you can promise customers is FASTER on time delivery which is hard to do with solo drivers. Team trucks never shut down except for hour issues.

About 20 minutes from my house, towards Carlisle, PA, there's an ABF terminal with a sign draped over a trailer right alongside the road, "DRIVERS WANTED." Suppose that's telling. I probably should've applied with them, just to see what they had to offer, but I didn't. Pretty sure I'll be happy with the company that hired me.

So, I wonder what other companies they allowed to move their freight? Speaking of team drivers, I know you guys make some money OTR , and the one husband and wife couple I had breakfast with shared how much they're pulling in w/ one LTL carrier - $170,000 average, gross. They basically do what I do, out a week, home on the weekend. A linehaul bag run. Sounds pretty sweet, especially since they operate out of Kansas and run the west coast. They were in my area over 4th of July holiday, volunteering to work on the holiday weekend rather than go home. We both work for the same company, and holidays are optional.

Speaking of Carlisle PA the load I picked up this morning was at the ABF terminal there. Lol. Every ABF terminal I have been to, about 15 now, they always want to know if I had thought about driving for them..... Duh of course I have. The reason I am not because the ABF terminal in North Little Rock AR is moving to Memphis next year and closing down there near my house. My house is bought and paid for so no I am not moving. Would be a sweet gig though.

Since I have full endorsements, except Harman which I will be getting soon, thinking about looking into LTL but I refuse to work on the dock in hopes of driving one day. Screw that! I have not really checked into what's around little rock.

As of the last time I checked, June 5th, I am on schedule to make 50k plus this year. Not to bad really. Out 7 weeks and in for a whole week.

Speaking of Carlisle PA the load I picked up this morning was at the ABF terminal there. Lol. Every ABF terminal I have been to, about 15 now, they always want to know if I had thought about driving for them..... Duh of course I have. The reason I am not because the ABF terminal in North Little Rock AR is moving to Memphis next year and closing down there near my house. My house is bought and paid for so no I am not moving. Would be a sweet gig though.

Since I have full endorsements, except Harman which I will be getting soon, thinking about looking into LTL but I refuse to work on the dock in hopes of driving one day. Screw that! I have not really checked into what's around little rock.

As of the last time I checked, June 5th, I am on schedule to make 50k plus this year. Not to bad really. Out 7 weeks and in for a whole week.

Yep, you were in my neck of the woods then!

You probably already know that not every LTL carrier will make you work the dock as a driver. My company doesn't. What would you be into? P&D or L/H?

You probably already know that not every LTL carrier will make you work the dock as a driver. My company doesn't. What would you be into? P&D or L/H?

OK, guys ... I'm trying to continue my education here.

P&D = Pick up and Delivery .... moving around town between businesses and the terminal.

L/H = Line Haul ... taking loads from terminal to terminal

Is that the basic gist of the two?

grazie

I have done the P&D gigs. Would rather run terminal to terminal much like ABF does and Conway. I have also looked at Central, Siai and OD but it seems like a lot of them around Little Rock want package handlers part time(ups) or part time dock workers. CONWAY has an opening for a driver but not moving to Russellville AR.

Seriously I am pretty happy with Werner right now. More than enough miles. Pulling trailers and doing maneuvers most drivers would not think was possible with a truck and trailer. Pretty unique situation I am in right now but if I wanted to I guess I would have to fill out all the app and send them in and see what was offered and weed them out.

Hey !!! This is Six String's first day on the job... Let's all wish him luck !!

Good luck, buddy ... be sure and drop a line everyday of your progress. :)

Hey !!! This is Six String's first day on the job... Let's all wish him luck !!

Good luck, buddy ... be sure and drop a line everyday of your progress. :)

THanks man! Appreciate it.

As far as today, LOTS of videos to watch. Seriously, about 5 hours worth. Some more hazmat tests and reading. Company hazmat policy and safety. And then the typical HR paperwork, e.g. bank info for auto-deposit, benefit enrollment, etc... Got my truck keys, fuel card, hazmat handbook and reg book, 2 complimentary pad locks, and a camera.

I was told the 2nd week of training is P&D , 3rd and 4th weeks are L/H which will be night shift (in preparation for my night shift job, I'll just continue on night shift for when I start solo after week 3 and 4). This first week, I guess will be general driving, learning to put together sets, etc.... I'm actually heading south tomorrow, like down around VA/KY. I'll still be back home tomorrow evening. Remember, I'm home every day during 4 week training, off on the weekends. When I start my L/H gig, then I'll be out 5 days, off for 2.

So far? Loving it!!! So happy I went w/ this company. The benefits are fantastic. Better than the other OTR company I almost went with.

I'll make sure to keep this thread updated as I go, but I'm sure it won't be as frequently since I now, you know, ... HAVE A JOB! But I am committed to this thread, and want to share my experiences and knowledge with any new guys out there that had no idea about LTL , linehaul driving, or are just not sure if OTR is for them.

More later!