LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

Just making sure I'm learning this correctly...

LTL - Less than truck load....

L / H - Line Haul ....... terminal to terminal

P $ D ..... Pick up and delivery .....

correct?

Just making sure I'm learning this correctly...

LTL - Less than truck load....

L / H - Line Haul ....... terminal to terminal

P $ D ..... Pick up and delivery .....

correct?

Yes that would be correct.

Just checking in. I'll have to leave my commentary on this thread for the two days I have off. This past two day stretch I spent entirely with my family. So far I'm loving my new job. I'm already getting used to pulling doubles - just can't back them up so always gotta remember to park in situations where I can pull through! And backing up a single pup trailer or a dolly? They move/turn VERY fast, much faster than a 53' trailer. Just getting acclimated to new job. One week of training down, 3 to go. I'll be able to write more as I go.

This has been an awesome thread! Can't thank you enough 6 String Rhythym! Like Guyjax mentioned, LTL used to be experienced drivers only for the most part so we've hardly covered it over the years. It's only the past few years you're starting to hear more and more about new drivers getting opportunities.

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 haul freight.

I'd say ABF can get plenty of people to take those high paying union jobs. I think they can make more money acting as a broker and sending the cheap freight to outside companies while hauling the better paying freight themselves.

Not to mention I'm sure they've told the union, "Unless you want to eliminate the last few remaining union trucking companies in the U.S. you need to make sure we can stay in business."

I'd say ABF can get plenty of people to take those high paying union jobs. I think they can make more money acting as a broker and sending the cheap freight to outside companies while hauling the better paying freight themselves.

Not true Brett. There are advertising everywhere hiring new drivers, experienced or nor, the problem is with ABF. According to the people I have asked ABF is now to having to ask for outside help and just recently started trying to hiring from the schools. The problem is they have to put people through there training also and that takes time.

People that have experience are scared of doubles because they have seen them driven badly in the past and feel that's how they all are not knowing that it's the driver causing the wiggling of the trailers. Not the trailers themselves. Mainly it's bad advertising that is causing the issue.

I know, cause I asked, that ABF drivers make .53 cpm and currently the rate is set by the union at $22 an hour for hourly pay. That's a huge pay package but has anyone heard anything about it? No.

There is freight sitting on the docks waiting to leave and they end up going out a day late cause there is not enough drivers to haul the freight due to the sheer amount of freight coming in.

It's becoming more common to hear that the recruiters are quiting because pressure is being put on them to bring new drivers in but Union being Union they have to give the recruiters permission to harvest from the schools and receiving the permission can be a very slow process.

It still doesn't make sense. Why would a well-established company with a huge pay package, a union behind you, and great home time have trouble bringing in drivers when companies that pay literally half of that and keep you out one or two months at a time bring in all the drivers they need?

If ABF can't get enough drivers then something is definitely wrong somewhere. Those jobs used to have a waiting list of several years before you could get on a full time board. They still have the best pay, benefits, home time, and job security in the industry. So the idea that suddenly they can't find enough drivers, even in our lackluster economy, doesn't make sense. Do the math - it doesn't add up. There's more to this.

You are correct. There is more to it. But for the life of me I don't know what it is. ABF is crawling with outside carriers now. I have seen every large company on their yards except Swift and Schneider. Maybe it's the first step in pushing the union out? I don't know. But the fact is outside carriers are hauling more and more of ABF freight.

Well before a few years ago the biggest LTL company out there, YRC, was thought to be doing well. Not any more. Maybe a power struggle is taking place behind the scenes. Who knows. But what I do know is we are running close to 7000 miles each week and there seems to be no shortage of loads.

So why aren't they advertising? Why are they depending on outsHide carriers to do a job that they themselves could do up to this point? Cheaper work force could be it. If it is a cheaper work force ABF is looking for then I forsee the union days as being numbered.

Here is something to think about. What if ABF can get enough outside carriers in the mix and on stand by so when the next contract negotiations take place the union can not hold a work stoppage over ABF's head which would essentially make the union powerless and ABF either gets a contract more in their favor or shuts the union out completely by not renewing the contract?

I am just talking here but your right. It does not make sense to anyone that can think for themselves and knows a little about how trucking and how the unions work. Time will tell I guess but for now I will continue to get all the miles I can.

Interesting little sub discussion going on between Guy and Brett.

I'll make this short and sweet since I really try to get my rest during the work week. As I settle into my new schedule after training, I can get into more detail w/ life as a linehaul driver. I still would like to offer tutorials on hooking up double pup trailers.

The first week I spent training with a linehaul driver. We made routine trips to meet another driver, swap trailers, and then returned back to our home terminal. Total length of the trip was 550 miles per day, round trip. I drove the whole week, it was awesome! So, my first week, I drove over 2K miles. Remember that day one was watching movies and HR stuff, so if I would've drove the entire 5 day week, I would've had 2750 miles. Eventually I'll get paid by the mile at .55, you can do the math. How many rookie drivers will crack 50K their first year driving? Not shabby at all. Again, remember that I share this not to gloat, but to show other student drivers or prospective drivers that if they can land an LTL job right out of school, they can make more than typical rookie OTR drivers at 30-35K for the first year.

This second week I've been on a different run w/ a different trainer. Average length of day has been 12 hours since I've started. The last two weeks I'll be on night shift in preparation for my schedule when I go solo. I'll be running the entire NE.

Hooking double pup trailers requires extra attention to detail. Driving them really isn't that bad, but it is different than a 53' trailer. Seems like more things could go wrong w/ the actual hooking up part, but that's just my observation. I've kept pretty good control over them while driving. You definitely don't have to square up your turns as much, like turning corners w/ a 53' trailer. And there is no backing.

My favorite tractor so far? The Freightliner Cascadia. Our company uses Freightliners and Volvos. For some reason, I can shift the Cascadia much better. I've even better successful floating the gears ;)

I love this job.

Awesome thread!! As a family man planning on attending private school next month it is encouraging to hear there are options other than OTR. Living 50 miles north of Richmond, Va. and a willingness to move I seem to see a lot of LTL companies there. Am I right? Anyway, hope your new career transition remains smooth and look forward to your next post! Thanks to you, Brett and Guy for making this a great site! And whatever the reason for these LTL companies hiring newbies, I am happy to hear it. But it is hard to figure out why, but then again Unions are often hard to figure out.

Awesome thread!! As a family man planning on attending private school next month it is encouraging to hear there are options other than OTR. Living 50 miles north of Richmond, Va. and a willingness to move I seem to see a lot of LTL companies there. Am I right? Anyway, hope your new career transition remains smooth and look forward to your next post! Thanks to you, Brett and Guy for making this a great site! And whatever the reason for these LTL companies hiring newbies, I am happy to hear it. But it is hard to figure out why, but then again Unions are often hard to figure out.

Good morning Thomas. Glad to hear you're gaining from this thread. I'll be posting more this weekend during my 2 days off. Just a few quick responses for you.

Best way to check to see if there is an LTL presence in your area of interest is to simply go to some of the company websites and look for terminals / service station locations. See if they're in your area.

As far as unions, I wouldn't even attempt to figure them out. I don't work for a company that has a union. Some LTL companies that don't have a union: Fed Ex Freight, Old Dominion, Estes, and I believe Pitt-Ohio - there are others. Fed Ex Freight (not Ground) is one of the highest paying LTL outfits, and it's not because they're union. Personally, I'm glad my company isn't union. And that's all I'll say about that.

There are opportunities out there for your Thomas, but yes, you have to be in the right area at the right time. Call the terminals in your location and ask if they're hiring. Some companies will train you through their own school - e.g. Old Dominion, Conway Freight. Do your research before you lay out the cash for private school.

I'm wishing you the best.