LTL info

[ibamars]

Hello,

Been on this board for a year now. Been driving for almost a year (would of had my year if i did not quit but thats besides the point, I have Approx 10 months.) Anyways, my original game plan at driving was to get my license, drive for an OTR company that treated me decent get my year in and then when I get close to my year get my Hazmat endosement so I can start looking for maybe an LTL comapny or a local gig.

So I went back and started reading lots of previous posts from guys and gals who have for worked for these LTL companies, Yellow, ABF, Conway etc...

I was wondering how often it is that these companies lay you off? What the pay difference is compared to an OTR company? Are you home everynight? Do you work fulltime? Do you drive at nights alot? I also understand these companies have what is called casual driving, do you make a living on this (gross of say 800-1000 week).

So Im waiting for background check to come back for the Hazmat (not really concerned about it) so i should get it. Is working for an LTL company really that much better? I had a job offer for hauling gasoline about 2 months ago but obviously I didnt have my Hazmat so the conversation didnt go any farther. Would I be better maybe hauling gasoline for .38cpm and 13 dollars per hour (goes to 18.00 after a year and .42cpm.) The job pays hourly and mileage.

So thats the questions, looking for some real good feedback here. If you dont have something positive to say, do not answer please and please lets not turn this into a hijacked post. Looking for real answers from people who are currently doing these things or have considerable knowledge and understand where and what I am looking for.

Thanks for everyone who posts. Sorry if it sounds cocky but some posts get way out of hand here.

[LOAD IT]

Go with the gasoline job. One of the laziest guys I know is hauling gasoline now and is actually happy. That says a lot (you have to know this guy). Most of the LTL outfits are Union, which means you will be lowest in seniority and will struggle through time until you get more seniority. If you are single and have no dependents then go for the union job. If you need to feed the family then get your HM and tanker and go deliver gasoline.

[yoopr]

Takes a Different Breed to run LTL but different strokes for different folks I guess.

[teamster]

Are you going to be delivering fuel locally and home everyday. If you are local and getting hourly plus mileage, that would be a good deal and you will make good money. I haul gas locally now, but we just get paid by the hour. I have never heard of hourly plus mileage.

[k9219]

I work for old dominion(ltl). Been there six months. OD is not union. So no worry about layoffs. I work the exta board as it is called.(often referred to as the wild board) Since I am new I am at the bottom of the seniority list. Basicly I am on call all the time and you can work the board to your benefit but when freight is slow you tend to go out at different times. Sometimes I go out during the day say 12-5 pm then sometimes I may go out at 2am. The time really varies.The extra board can be tough but the rewards are well worth it in th elong run. Drivers with seniority do all meet and turns ,home every night. Typically drive out 250 miles meet another driver swap trailors and then 250 miles back to home terminal. Home every night/day depending on when your scheduled run is day or night(again seniority comes in to play)

OD is a good company and you can make good money. Honestly you can make a steady(clear not gross) 800.00 a week. This being based on 6 dispatches.(6 day work week) Each dispatch basicly takes one day to complete. You never have to run illegal 500-600 miles a day sometimes 600 plus if you feel you can do it in the 11/14 hour rule. Not saying you have to work 14 hours a day here..just pointing out u can run a few extra miles if time allows. OD is pretty laid back they dont mess with you and tend to try and look out for their drivers.

As far as hometime goes...its better than long haul by leaps and bounds. Depends on the terminal and location but I started fresh out of school and I average 1-2 days out at a time. Return to my home terminal take my 10 hrs at home with the family then I go back out for 1-2 more days then off 48hrs.(at home with family..they never leave you out on the road to take your 48 off in a motel) You dont sleep in the truck you are put up in a motel.(paid for by OD) All runs are terminal to terminal(100% drop and hook). We pull all doubles no 48 or 53 footers. The local drivers haul those in the city. All local drivers are hired from inside(to my understanding)

I hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

What the pay difference is compared to an OTR company?

Put it to you like this: I punched out at 5:00 PM today and tomorrow and Friday I get paid 8 hours per day at over $21.00/hr to sit at home and drink beer and watch football. Saturday and Sunday are like a regular weekend so it's basically a 4-day mini-vacation. If I did have to work on Friday, I'd be paid O.T. ($31.50/hr) for every hour on the job.

That's a heckuva deal that you won't find anywhere in OTR. An OTR driver MIGHT get a whopping $50.00 or $60.00 for Thansgiving day, but that's about it. And 4 days off after only working 3 days? Forgedeboudit! Just ain't happening.

k9219 speaks the truth. You can turn a good buck in LTL and have a life outside of and away from the truck. That can't be said about OTR where you waste too many hours tryin' to make money at loading docks while everyone in the warehouse dicks around at your expense. Then good luck finding a place to sleep at 9:00 PM when the consignee boots you off the lot and all the truckstops and pickleparks are filled to the brim. Ugh...been there, done that. I ran the road pulling vans/reefer for awhile but grew tired of that racket. Too many hours on the job. Too much time away from home. Way too many freebies.

Whatever your choice, the world is your oyster and we wish you nothing but the best!

[Deus]

What the pay difference is compared to an OTR company?

Put it to you like this: I punched out at 5:00 PM today and tomorrow and Friday I get paid 8 hours per day at over $21.00/hr to sit at home and drink beer and watch football. Saturday and Sunday are like a regular weekend so it's basically a 4-day mini-vacation. If I did have to work on Friday, I'd be paid O.T. ($31.50/hr) for every hour on the job.

That's a heckuva deal that you won't find anywhere in OTR. An OTR driver MIGHT get a whopping $50.00 or $60.00 for Thansgiving day, but that's about it. And 4 days off after only working 3 days? Forgedeboudit! Just ain't happening.

k9219 speaks the truth. You can turn a good buck in LTL and have a life outside of and away from the truck. That can't be said about OTR where you waste too many hours tryin' to make money at loading docks while everyone in the warehouse dicks around at your expense. Then good luck finding a place to sleep at 9:00 PM when the consignee boots you off the lot and all the truckstops and pickleparks are filled to the brim. Ugh...been there, done that. I ran the road pulling vans/reefer for awhile but grew tired of that racket. Too many hours on the job. Too much time away from home. Way too many freebies.

Whatever your choice, the world is your oyster and we wish you nothing but the best!

What outfit are you with again?

Oh to the original poster, don't forget food service/convenience store distributors either! Hard work but keeps you in shape, usually pay pretty decent also.

[Double R]

Oh to the original poster, don't forget food service/convenience store distributors either! Hard work but keeps you in shape, usually pay pretty decent also.

I work for a foodservice company and YES, IT IS HARD WORK, but can be very rewarding (home every night, weekends off, good pay)

[Deus]

Oh to the original poster, don't forget food service/convenience store distributors either! Hard work but keeps you in shape, usually pay pretty decent also.

I work for a foodservice company and YES, IT IS HARD WORK, but can be very rewarding (home every night, weekends off, good pay)

I've lost over 40 lbs since I started running up and down the ramp. I'm a young guy though, eventually I'm sure I'll need to find something less physical. For now it is fun though. Every weekend off, home most nights. I am out of town by choice though, pay is better on most of the layover routes. No big deal though.

[dragracert99]

What the pay difference is compared to an OTR company?

Put it to you like this: I punched out at 5:00 PM today and tomorrow and Friday I get paid 8 hours per day at over $21.00/hr to sit at home and drink beer and watch football. Saturday and Sunday are like a regular weekend so it's basically a 4-day mini-vacation. If I did have to work on Friday, I'd be paid O.T. ($31.50/hr) for every hour on the job.

That's a heckuva deal that you won't find anywhere in OTR. An OTR driver MIGHT get a whopping $50.00 or $60.00 for Thansgiving day, but that's about it. And 4 days off after only working 3 days? Forgedeboudit! Just ain't happening.

k9219 speaks the truth. You can turn a good buck in LTL and have a life outside of and away from the truck. That can't be said about OTR where you waste too many hours tryin' to make money at loading docks while everyone in the warehouse dicks around at your expense. Then good luck finding a place to sleep at 9:00 PM when the consignee boots you off the lot and all the truckstops and pickleparks are filled to the brim. Ugh...been there, done that. I ran the road pulling vans/reefer for awhile but grew tired of that racket. Too many hours on the job. Too much time away from home. Way too many freebies.

Whatever your choice, the world is your oyster and we wish you nothing but the best!

But you didn't say who you work for!

[Ian Williams]

Most local gigs are head and shoulders above OTR in terms of work/life balance.

The first few years in LTL can be tough; it can be a while depending on the dynamics of your terminal can company before you have a predictable schedule. Fate smiled upon me and I got a start time about three months after getting my CDL this April It took the other guy in my class until mid-Oct to get a night line bid.

I'm making a steady $750-800 week (gross) with a bit of OT. If I wanted to make more money I could volunteer for Sat line runs, but I have low overhead and enjoy my time off.

Any fuel tanker drivers on here? It would be nice to have a report pasture conditions on the other side of the proverbial fence.

[teamster]

Most local gigs are head and shoulders above OTR in terms of work/life balance.

The first few years in LTL can be tough; it can be a while depending on the dynamics of your terminal can company before you have a predictable schedule. Fate smiled upon me and I got a start time about three months after getting my CDL this April It took the other guy in my class until mid-Oct to get a night line bid.

I'm making a steady $750-800 week (gross) with a bit of OT. If I wanted to make more money I could volunteer for Sat line runs, but I have low overhead and enjoy my time off.

Any fuel tanker drivers on here? It would be nice to have a report pasture conditions on the other side of the proverbial fence.

That would be me. What would you like to know. I can sum it up pretty easily though-Good pay-terrible hours at least for now.

[Double R]

I am out of town by choice though, pay is better on most of the layover routes

They do pay better at my company too. Use to do the regional routes but now I need to be home every night.(wife has baby on the way, any week now )

But you didn't say who you work for!

And nor will I. Suffice to say that I pull for one of the larger companies in the known LTL universe. Most of the LTL's have a similar holiday deal going for their drivers. Ditto for the parcel carriers such as UPS, FedEx Express, and DHL.

I won't post who I work for on a messageboard as I've read about several guys getting themselves in hot water at work for stuff they posted. Don't need that kinda gruff as I've got alot of time and seniority wrapped up in this gig. And I want to keep it for the long haul.

[Deus]

I am out of town by choice though, pay is better on most of the layover routes

They do pay better at my company too. Use to do the regional routes but now I need to be home every night.(wife has baby on the way, any week now )

Congrats!

[Deus]

Most local gigs are head and shoulders above OTR in terms of work/life balance.

The first few years in LTL can be tough; it can be a while depending on the dynamics of your terminal can company before you have a predictable schedule. Fate smiled upon me and I got a start time about three months after getting my CDL this April It took the other guy in my class until mid-Oct to get a night line bid.

I'm making a steady $750-800 week (gross) with a bit of OT. If I wanted to make more money I could volunteer for Sat line runs, but I have low overhead and enjoy my time off.

Any fuel tanker drivers on here? It would be nice to have a report pasture conditions on the other side of the proverbial fence.

That would be me. What would you like to know. I can sum it up pretty easily though-Good pay-terrible hours at least for now.

I've been slightly interested in fuel tankers as well. Though I don't know how I feel about driving down the highway with a giant bomb strapped to my back (figuratively).

[rigidsporty]

Oh to the original poster, don't forget food service/convenience store distributors either! Hard work but keeps you in shape, usually pay pretty decent also.

Its not too bad once you get used to it. I ran OTR (CFI) for 7 months then found a local gig "workin the ramp" in food service delivery. I sleep in my bed every night and I'm off every weekend.

Pay averages about $700 gross a week and where I live thats pretty damn good. The bigger companies in Nashville (too far away for me to drive every day) pay around $800 to $1200 a week gross.

[Deus]

Oh to the original poster, don't forget food service/convenience store distributors either! Hard work but keeps you in shape, usually pay pretty decent also.

Its not too bad once you get used to it. I ran OTR (CFI) for 7 months then found a local gig "workin the ramp" in food service delivery. I sleep in my bed every night and I'm off every weekend.

Pay averages about $700 gross a week and where I live thats pretty damn good. The bigger companies in Nashville (too far away for me to drive every day) pay around $800 to $1200 a week gross.

Yeah I think it is fun when you get used to it. Good to keep busy. The first couple months were hell though. I'm glad I stuck with it.

OTR boys think they have "hot loads" and are under the gun in terms of schedule... I've had times where every second literally counts and you are literally running all day at each stop.

[rigidsporty]

OTR boys think they have "hot loads" and are under the gun in terms of schedule.

You got that right!! I've had days where I was literally running up and down the ramp with the only "break" I had was driving to the next stop... and I still ended up working 14 hours.

I have an easy Friday though... I get in the truck at 04:30 and I'm usually done with my last stop and on my way back around noon.

[jeremyh]

After about a year and a half after I got my license I started driving fuel tankers. It's a good job and pays well. I'm based with a non-union outfit which is good for now. Getting experience. Make anywhere from 23-26 per hour. The top guys around my neck of the woods make anywhere from 28-31 bucks an hour, they are the union guys Most drivers around here run a 4on/4off shift, working about 12hrs at a time. By the end of your 4on you are looking forward to those 4off. Dealing with fuel is intimidating but you respect the job and do things by the book you should do fine. A big thing is though making mistakes. I've made one and it was costly, I mixed fuels and the company had to buy the fuel that I mixed. Be always checking and double checking Anyways, that's all I got for now.

Most local gigs are head and shoulders above OTR in terms of work/life balance.

The first few years in LTL can be tough; it can be a while depending on the dynamics of your terminal can company before you have a predictable schedule. Fate smiled upon me and I got a start time about three months after getting my CDL this April It took the other guy in my class until mid-Oct to get a night line bid.

I'm making a steady $750-800 week (gross) with a bit of OT. If I wanted to make more money I could volunteer for Sat line runs, but I have low overhead and enjoy my time off.

Any fuel tanker drivers on here? It would be nice to have a report pasture conditions on the other side of the proverbial fence.

That would be me. What would you like to know. I can sum it up pretty easily though-Good pay-terrible hours at least for now.

I've been slightly interested in fuel tankers as well. Though I don't know how I feel about driving down the highway with a giant bomb strapped to my back (figuratively).